45-70 size

[686]

i am working on getting a tc 45-70 rifle barrel for my g2 frame. what is the factory bore dim? what size do you size youe bullets? i am thinking of 300-400 gr. thanks

[IcerUSA]

Bore diamiter I'm not sure on but most sizr at .459 -.460 with good results .
My Marlin sluged at .458 so I size mine at .460 , seems to work for me . :)

Keith

[686]

what mold do you use that can be sizer .460? i thouhjt most made .458-459 ?

[montana_charlie]

Actually, most moulds will cast a .459" or .460" bullet...
depending on alloy used. There have been some recent discussions (on another forum) about Lyman moulds, where the factory has told owners that .457" is 'within specs'. Those owners were not happy to hear that.
But, I think, Lyman moulds have (up till now) been casting larger than .457"

If you plan to stay in the lighter bullet weights, you might want to think about the rate of twist in your rifling. The current 'standard' is often 1 in 18...and that might be faster than you would want for the short bullets.

CM

[beagle]

I'm running my big .45s at .460" also in a M1895 Marlin and also in my .458 X 2". If they're not big enough, "beagle em".

90% of the problems using cast bullets in the .45/70 and other big bore .45s is that we use bullets that are too small in diameter.

Myexperience./beagle

[Kraschenbirn]

Both my Lyman 457124 and my RCBS 45-405-FN cast .459-.460 The 457124 drops at right around 400 gr. when cast from 25-1 and I shoot it "as cast" over 55 gr of FFg. The RCBS runs just under 420 gr. from #2 alloy and I size it to .459 for use with smokeless.

Bill

[686]

what is the bore dim. of the thompson center 45-70 barrel? i see your point on short bullet. i will look at 400 gr and up. thanks

[montana_charlie]

I was not suggesting you shoot heavier bullets.
I had the impression you were having the barrel custom made, and was just commenting on twist rates.
If you are simply buying a production barrel, shoot whatever does well in it...or whatever feels good to you.
CM

[686]

yes it will be standard factory barrel. they say it is a 1-14 twisr abd .458 bore. i have not bought a mold yet. i will size 459. i there a bullet mold that any one likes with this barrel? thanks

[wilddog45]

I have a Lyman 147122 that I beagled up and sized at .460. The problem I now have is I can't get them to group. Of course that was with 50 gr of 3031. My load book said to use dacron wadding. I bought some .0030 and .0060 vegetable wadding that they use for black powder. I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem with this non gas checked boolit shooting without wadding using smokeless powder?

[jhalcott]

I use the RCBS 300 gr FNGC bullet in my 45-70 contender barrel. I use straight WW alloy or a bit softer. If you have not used one of these pistols, be aware of the RECOIL they will deliver. Heavier bullets will generate MORE recoil as velocity increases. A WW 300 grain bullet CAN BE DRIVEN over 1900 fps. As this bullet will go length wise thru any deer in America at 15 to 1600 fps (with a LOT less recoil),I seldom go that fast!

[686]

mine will be a 23 in riffle. dont want it in a pistol.

[montana_charlie]

yes it will be standard factory barrel. they say it is a 1-14 twisr abd .458 bore.
WOW! That is fast...
CM