need mold help

[jthomastreadwell]

hi yall ,i need a mold for my 15" T/C enrcore 45/70, it will be used for hunting and target.i would like to push this boolit (300 to 400 grns) to about 14 to 1500 fps. ive been looking at LEES 405/459 HB. why the hollow base? would it work within my guide lines? the other mold i was looking at is a lyman 340 hp. is the hp removeable so i could a fp? im leaning towards the 340 hp.so whats your thoughts on these two molds thanks for valued info.. ps: no gas checked boolits for me.

[schreibwy]

I've used the Lee hollowbase mold and a 340 Lee mold in my contender. The 340 shoots better but nothing in front of these bullets has walked away. I couldn't tell if one killed better than the other. I believe the hollow base is a blackpowder design.

At 1500 fps the 340 grain bullet generates a little over 30 foot pounds of recoil. Any more kick than that sucks the fun out of shooting.

[Dale53]

The Lee 405/.459 HB was designed by Spence Wolf for the Trapdoor Springfield - they are well known for barrels with dimensions that run all over the place. The Hollow Base will work in a variety of barrel diameters.

I have used the Lee 340 gr in my 45/70 Marlin 1895 with excellent results. Have not used it in a TC but I sure would give it a try. That's about as heavy as I would want to shoot in a pistol. I believe it will give you about all of the recoil you will want...

Dale53

[Jon K]

Nuff said:
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/Jon_K_2006/DSC_0002-16.jpg

[HeavyMetal]

The only boolit I've ever used in my 45-70 has been the RCBS 300 grain FP. Sadly , for you anyway, this is a gas check design! I easly get into the high 1900 FPS with this using 3031.

Haven't used any of the others because of weight but both the Lee and the Lyman should make quality boolits.


If your going to shoot in the 1500 FPS range I'd stay away from a hollow base design. The old 38 special mid range load was a hollow base wadcutter. One of the warnings that came with a box of these you could reload was to not push them to fast or they might seperate and leave a piece of boolit lodged in the barrel!

If you rethink the gas check thing look at the RCBS mold it's a great mold and after a short break in it shucks boolits like peas from a pod!

[jthomastreadwell]

I've used the Lee hollowbase mold and a 340 Lee mold in my contender. The 340 shoots better but nothing in front of these bullets has walked away. I couldn't tell if one killed better than the other. I believe the hollow base is a blackpowder design.

At 1500 fps the 340 grain bullet generates a little over 30 foot pounds of recoil. Any more kick than that sucks the fun out of shooting.

i hear ya schreibwy about the recoil.ive been shooting a .12" encore .44 mag with heavy loads a lota years.and i know this 45/70 is a big step up in recoil.i just bought this bbl and have no bullet molds yet,but i shot a few j bullets out of it.then sent it to EABCO for a jp break. hoping it will tame it a bit thanks guys for the info . i think i will start with the 340 hp thomas

[DLCTEX]

Click on Ranch Dogs Site at the bottom of the page. He's got the best I've found in my search for boolits for a Guide Gun. You will find the lighter on closer to your needs, but it may still be a little heavy yet for a pistol. I'll probably have both molds in the near future and could send a few to try.DALE

[jthomastreadwell]

Click on Ranch Dogs Site at the bottom of the page. He's got the best I've found in my search for boolits for a Guide Gun. You will find the lighter on closer to your needs, but it may still be a little heavy yet for a pistol. I'll probably have both molds in the near future and could send a few to try.DALE

thanks DALE. i see he has a 350 gr boolit. i dont think i could get it w/o gc ? thanks again DALE THOMAS

[hyoder]

Where in Alabama are you located?
I don't have anything cast in the sizes you mention but could cast some for you in my next session in a few weeks.
Some of the FP molds I have in the size you're looking for are:
Lyman 457122, RCBS 45325U(325Gr), Saeco 017 (350 gr GC), Saeco 018(405gr)

[jthomastreadwell]

Where in Alabama are you located?
I don't have anything cast in the sizes you mention but could cast some for you in my next session in a few weeks.
Some of the FP molds I have in the size you're looking for are:
Lyman 457122, RCBS 45325U(325Gr), Saeco 017 (350 gr GC), Saeco 018(405gr)

COOL hyoder..that would be great. what are you shooting in .458? i live in weaver al. 3 or 4 miles south of jacksonville state. what part of the state are you from? i just sent the bbl to EABCO for a jp muzzle break,they tell me its a 5 week thang. i would love to shoot some of those boolits!! thank you