Alloy for .45-70 in Marlin 1895?

[RG1911]

It appears that I'm going to have to cast for this cartridge, too. The bore of the rifle measures .4595" which, with the microgroove rifling, seems to let the slug rattle down the bore. Commercial boolits sized to .460 were a tiny bit better.

I'll have to get a mold that throws large enough that I can size and lube to .462 (or possibly .461).

Anyway, on hand I have wheel weight metal (new weights that aren't as good as the ones I used in 1973), an alloy that approximates Lyman #2, some pure lead, and virgin linotype.

Are there recommendations? I've heard that linotype should be used with that d--n microgroove.

Many thanks,
Richard

[44Blam]

I do not know about microgrove... But I've got a remlin 1895 with ballard rifling and I shoot boolits sized to 460 with 5:1 ww : lino. So fairly hard...

But it is accurate as can be - I've been able to hit 2' steel targets at 300 and 400 yards consistently with skinner sights.

[shortlegs]

Powder coating will bring any boolit up to the dia. you need. I do it for the lee 340 that casts at 457 dia.

[centershot]

RG1911, My experience with Microgroove rifling tells me you're going to want a bullet of .462"-.463'. About 2/3 thousandths oversize usually does pretty good. If you're NOT wanting a hunting bullet you can a\mix up an alloy like Lyman #2 (90-5-5) and see if it drops big enough. Straight Lino might work (84-12-4) but it's an expensive and wasteful proposition. If #2 alloy won't get you there, you'll have to lap the mold out to desired diameter or "Beagle" it with HVAC tape. If all else fails you'll need a custom mold. If you are looking for a hunting bullet, then a 16:1 alloy (lead/tin), gas-checked, will give you some expansion but you're going to need a custom mold.