Favorite bullet for 45/70?

[woody402]

I’m looking for recommendations for a 45/70 bullets. I want to get a mould in the 300-400 gr range. What does everyone’s use?

[RKJ]

I've got a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (Remington made with the 18.5 in Barrel) and am using a MP mold 460 350 grain PB that has small & large HP pins as well as a solid. I don't know if it is still available in his shop but it's a dandy (It was a group buy here, and I just looked but didn't see it listed). I've also gotten some Hornady 300 grain JSP but haven't shot them yet. I expect they will be good as the factory Winchester 300 Grain JSP's shot very well.

[knifemaker]

I also use a 350 gr. cast in both my Marlin 1895 and Pedersoli 1874 sharps. It is the Ranch Dog RNFP design that feeds great in lever action. No longer available, but Accurate molds and possibly NOE molds make a copy of it. I size it to .460 and load 43 gr. IMR-4198 powder behind it for almost 1900 fps velocity. One inch 3 shot groups with both the Marlin and Sharps at 100 yards. I have taken several buffalo, bison, and one 225 pound hog with it and all were one shot kills on the spot.
You will find if you load to a higher velocity in your 45/70, the 350 gr. cast is a lot softer on the shoulder then the 405 gr. cast.
Penetration is great with this cast boolit.

[Winger Ed.]

I shoot a 405 in my Marlin.

After more than 5-6, at much more than old trapdoor loads,
I find myself wishing I'd gotten a mold a little closer to 300gr.

[roadie]

I also use a 350 gr. cast in both my Marlin 1895 and Pedersoli 1874 sharps. It is the Ranch Dog RNFP design that feeds great in lever action. No longer available, but Accurate molds and possibly NOE molds make a copy of it. I size it to .460 and load 43 gr. IMR-4198 powder behind it for almost 1900 fps velocity. One inch 3 shot groups with both the Marlin and Sharps at 100 yards. I have taken several buffalo, bison, and one 225 pound hog with it and all were one shot kills on the spot.
You will find if you load to a higher velocity in your 45/70, the 350 gr. cast is a lot softer on the shoulder then the 405 gr. cast.
Penetration is great with this cast boolit.



As far as penetration, have you been able to recover any bullets? My thinking is a 350 gr. at that speed is going right through, same with heavier at lower speed. I could see a Texas Heart shot stopping at the front end, but a broadside not. I really don't see the need for anything over 350 gr.

This is just armchair thinking on my part, as I sold my 45-70 quite a while ago. I found the game I hunt just didn't need that much killing. Dumb decision by the way, I now long for another.

[woody402]

I also use a 350 gr. cast in both my Marlin 1895 and Pedersoli 1874 sharps. It is the Ranch Dog RNFP design that feeds great in lever action. No longer available, but Accurate molds and possibly NOE molds make a copy of it. I size it to .460 and load 43 gr. IMR-4198 powder behind it for almost 1900 fps velocity. One inch 3 shot groups with both the Marlin and Sharps at 100 yards. I have taken several buffalo, bison, and one 225 pound hog with it and all were one shot kills on the spot.
You will find if you load to a higher velocity in your 45/70, the 350 gr. cast is a lot softer on the shoulder then the 405 gr. cast.
Penetration is great with this cast boolit.

That sounds like what I’m looking for. I will Have to check out the molds you mentioned.

[roadie]

I shoot a 405 in my Marlin.

After more than 5-6, at much more than old trapdoor loads,
I find myself wishing I'd gotten a mold a little closer to 300gr.




I ran the 405 gr. in my 45-70 built on a Siamese Mauser, and with a 9 lb rifle and the stock built to fit me, that was a punisher off the bench. Then again, I just had to see what it take, turned out low end .458 Mag was easily doable.......just not fun after 3 rounds.

Just thinking of a Marlin with the 405 gr. at anything past trapdoor speed, makes me cringe.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I've got over a dozen molds for .45-70. Slowly working to find out what the Shiloh Sharps likes. As for the 1895 Marlin Cowboy, it did not take me long to back off to the 300 - 350 gr range. Very light weight and that chintzy plastic buttplate make it not fun with even full bore Trapdoor loads in the 405 gr bullets. Sure wish they would put a respectable steel shotgun style buttplate on it. That plastic one is embarrassing. I like MiHec 350 gr FP/HP. I've not shot anything with the HP, but the FP has never been recovered. I also have a Ranch Dog 350 FP both of my rifles like. I've killed a doe with a Lyman 330 gr Gould design. Actually did expand on the little thing. I've also need to try more with RCBS RFN in 300 and 325 gr. Like others have said, shooting sessions are short due to recoil. I've not shot on target much past 100 yds as I figure I cannot accurately predict drop past that. I have kicked up dust at close to 1/2 mile shooting at boulders on a hillside out in AZ with my nephew. Holdover was about two dump trucks.

[Winger Ed.]

Just thinking of a Marlin with the 405 gr. at anything past trapdoor speed, makes me cringe.

I was at the range with it a few weeks ago. I fired it a few times, and got to talking to a old Army vet.
He'd been watching. He's a AR guy, but a .45-70 is sort of a novelty at our range.

As he was putting away his AR, I told him if he'd joined the Army in 1888 instead of 1988-
he would have been issued a .45-70, and asked him if he wanted to fire it.

He thanked me, pulled up his shirt to show more scars on his shoulders than the Frankenstein monster,
And said, "Nah,,, I better not".

[Bad Ass Wallace]

My three favourites are Lyman 'Postell' 520gn, 420gn Hensley & Gibbs, 260gn from CBE!

https://i.imgur.com/YaFZpHBl.jpg?1

[Dogtown Dave]

I have a Marlin Guide Gun (bought before their quality went to crap) and it's a tack driver with my bullets made from Lee's 405 grain bullet mold. Lee 2-cavity bullet mold 457-405-f. That and good old IMR 4198 powder and you should be in business. I also have Lyman's 405 grain mold but it lacks a crimping grove, which is nice if your shooting out of a lever action.

[Dapaki]

Nothin' at all wrong with the LEE 340gr mold. https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-457-340-f.html

My favorite is the 500gr mold from LEE but I do have to size it down a bit to fit my bore.

[Norske]

since your barrel may have a bullet length/weight preference, and your shoulder will find some level of recoil unleasant, buy an assortment of jacketed bullets to learn these things, then buy molds to make shooting/experimenting affordable.
I learned there was little use to cast bullets that weighed less than the "standard" 400 grains.

[C. Latch]

I learned there was little use to cast bullets that weighed less than the "standard" 400 grains.

Define 'use'.

I am new to the 45-70. Haven't even fired mine yet. Waiting for brass to show up. But there's nothing on this planet I don't think a 350-grain 45-70 at Trapdoor levels can't kill, and certainly nothing *I* will ever shoot at.

[Dapaki]

Define 'use'.

I am new to the 45-70. Haven't even fired mine yet. Waiting for brass to show up. But there's nothing on this planet I don't think a 350-grain 45-70 at Trapdoor levels can't kill, and certainly nothing *I* will ever shoot at.

LOL! I need to bookmark this so that in a few months after you get bitten by the long range black powder bug and you came back here asking about favorite heavy boolits.... :kidding:

I do think you will like the 400 grainers better overall, they just shoot better overall in my own opinion. Reduced loads are plentiful (13gr Red Dot) and accurate.

[country gent]

Its going to depend on the tqist rate in you rifles barrel and length velocity also plays a part in this. My 45 caliber rifles loaded with Old Ensforde prefer the heavier bullets. My favorite 3 bullets are the lymn postell at 535 grns roughly, A old west design by bernie rowels at 547 grns called the silhouette, ANd a Steve brooks adjustable PP bullet with the postel money style nose set at 550 grns. I normally load them into the 1150-1200 fps range. Even here you want a heavy rifle 12lbs or more. But they do perform out to 500yds ( farthest I have shot them). They do make a ram jump at 500 yds.

In the single shots the bullet overall length isnt a big issue but in the marlins and some repeaters these bullets loaded to book length are to long to feed correctly. Also in the lighter hunting rifles these loads recoil becomes pretty stout.

In some of the older rifles a slower twist rate and lighter bullet ere used to make an "xpress" cartridge with a higher velocity.

Put a want add in swapping and selling for test bullets before buying your mould. this way you can test several out in your rifle and see what you want

[C. Latch]

LOL! I need to bookmark this so that in a few months after you get bitten by the long range black powder bug

The whole point of the 45-70 was to get rid of the burden of having to clean every time I fire a blackpowder firearm. ;)

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I've used the RCBS 300gr FN GC for many years in my 1980 straight grip 1895 Marlin. Excellent accuracy, I prefer the flatter trajectory and less recoil. I use 4227, 4198 or 5744(Buffalo Rifle) for pleasant shooting at 14 -1600 fps and kills deer just fine. I do use Barnes 300gr Originals (pure copper jacket,pure lead) with Accurate 2015 at 2200 fps on elk,moose. Unpleasant to shoot but very effective, all one shot stops, normally full pass-thru. NOE has a 460-315 that looks similar.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I'm glad to see so many responses on this topic. I hadn't seen many threads, and thought I was wandering in the wilderness by myself. It appears the woods are quite crowded. I'll try to post my progress, both positive and negative.

[Conditor22]

I've had good luck with 2400 under 405 and 240 boolits

[DonMountain]

I've used the RCBS 300gr FN GC for many years in my 1980 straight grip 1895 Marlin. Excellent accuracy, I prefer the flatter trajectory and less recoil. I use 4227, 4198 or 5744(Buffalo Rifle) for pleasant shooting at 14 -1600 fps and kills deer just fine. I do use Barnes 300gr Originals (pure copper jacket,pure lead) with Accurate 2015 at 2200 fps on elk,moose. Unpleasant to shoot but very effective, all one shot stops, normally full pass-thru. NOE has a 460-315 that looks similar.

I too use the 300 grain gas checked flat nosed RCBS in a Browning 1885 with good, long range use for deer hunting. I also have the 500 grain version of this RCBS mold that I used to use with black powder with good accuracy but hitting something at longer ranges, plus the harder kick makes me leave those loaded rounds on the shelf and take the 300 grainers.

[c1skout]

I like the Lyman Gould express boolit. I figure if it was good enuff for Teddy Roosevelt...…..

[Ramjet-SS]

I am a huge fan of the 460 grain WFN over just under med level loads. unique is an excellent powder for this.tjat boolit will run end to end through and elk. Great accurate not too bad on the shooter.

[GregLaROCHE]

I have all of the Lee molds except one. They are economical enough to buy different ones to see what you like. Later you can invest in more expensive ones, when you know what you want.

[Bouteselle]

I use RCBS 45-405 for hunting, for its accuracy in my 1886 Browning.
I also have a 457122 Gould mold, I bought it new, but it drops awful bullets, I only keep one out of ten...
In need to try HP bullets, I've just ordered a MP mold, 460 420 Keith style. I would have preferred the 380 grains, but it's not available for the moment.
I'll keep you aware...

[smithnframe]

I've shot thousands of the Lee 405 grain cast in my Marlin 1895 and my BFR , in my Sharps rifles the lightest bullet I've used is a 420 grain FP up to a 550 grain Creedmoor.

[StrawHat]

Before I found I had little use for a 45-70. I liked the Lyman 457122, Gould bullet. Mine would drop at 325 grains and when launched with black powder they opened nicely.

Kevin

[Dapaki]

I shoot an H&R Buffalo Classic and the steel crescent shaped butt plate just kills my shoulder so I like to shoot "The Load" with 13gr of Red Dot to keep the recoil down. I dont see any real difference at 50 yards with the LEE 340, 405 or 500gr boolits in the way of accuracy, they all shoot very well and with PC, they leave the bore clean, shoot faster (I do crimp them) and group better.

I am a big fan of the 45-70, it eats all sorts of powders, Unique, 2400, 4227, 4198, 3031, BP, Pyrodex, Red Dot, the list just goes on and on! I do prefer 2400 as it has given me the best groups with all three boolits using the Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook with the starting loads being the most accurate.

I mentioned powder coating earlier, this has for me changed the entire experience of shooting the 45-70, no need for lube, no need to scrub the bore after shooting as long as I just size to .001 above bore diameter +.002 leaves lead in the bore about 2" in. I had the bore scoped and dont see any burrs or rough metal so I have to watch the sizing closely.

I will also be testing duplex loads next week with the surplus powder WC867 and hope to hit 1200fps with the 500gr boolit but I am still amassing a list of suitable 'kickers' to establish acceptable burn rates that dont create two pressure spikes (glad we have smart people here to warn me of potential pit-falls) when getting the 867 to light off.

[RugerFan]

With my Marlin Guide Gun I get the best accuracy with the RCBS 45-300-FN (5744) and a close second is the RCBS 45-405-FN (Varget).

[longcruise]

I've used a bunch in a Navy Arms (Uberti) 85 Win hi wall. They all shot well but the best have been Lee 405 RNFP, Lee 450 RNFP & the top for accuracy the Lee 500 gr RN GC. There are a bunch more that I have used but they really don't do anything that those three don't do. Velocities are kept at 1550 and under which seems to be adequate.

BP has given the best accuracy but 5744 does well and it is used most of the time.

Powder coating has been a game changer.

[hockeynick39]

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-400M-D.png

[skeettx]

Lyman 457483 is the bestestestest :)

[Win94ae]

I love the 500gr SP bullet, but I also like the 340gr FN bullet I just started casting; at 2160fps, it should work great on deer.

[plowboysghost]

I'm quite fond of the NOE 460-429 RF plain based bullet(sized to .460 and over 38-gr of IMR4198)) in my 1895 CBA....though 430-gr is a hair beyond the original question parameters.

[Elmer Fudd]

I define my 45/70 loads for my JM guide gun by power level. I use the 350 Ranch Dog from Lee mould both subsonic (gun is threaded) and supersonic, and both trapdoor-ish and full-house IMR3031 levels. LBT Blue or Felix work to keep the bore unfouled, even at over 2000fps. Those tumble lube bullets hold a lot of lube. I also have the RD 425, but haven't really found a need for it.
I have and cherish a 460 460 LFN mould from Veral. That thing drops bullets so nice it's hard not to cast with it. I use Hornady length brass and a trapdoor load from the book. It will shoot through anything natural, or break it, even at 1500-1600fps. 14 1-gallon milk jugs of water won't stop it.
A guy can't just have one mould. If you try, look at an LBT mould with not the largest meplat.
I have found to shoot enough bullet to keep the velocity down to match my alloy/lube, but enough to get the result I am after. The 350 RD meplat is good full speed or subsonic.
As Robert Heinline wrote, specialization is for insects.

[warboar_21]

I have three molds. The 405 hollow base Lee, the 450gr Lee, and the 405gr RCBS. Out of the three I think the RCBS does well enough. They all shoot well out of my rifle though.

[Walks]

Lyman #457193 and #457122. Both cast of 20-1 over 3031. Used to have the RCBS #45-405-FP?. It shot great, miss it.
That Gould bullet will open up and cut a 2x4 in half side to side with one shot.
The other 2 bullets never quite did a clean break. Maybe the extra velocity with the lighter bullet. I like to think it is the big HP.

Recoil ? Why they make thick rubber recoil pads. If the sight of it offends you, then cover it up with a leather boot and lace it
tight.

[Edward]

I’m looking for recommendations for a 45/70 bullets. I want to get a mould in the 300-400 gr range. What does everyone’s use?

My favorite is the NOE 460 -350gr - FN sized to 459 that mold is a 2 cavity 1 PB and one gas checked usually around 14-15 BHN . Plain /checked /or powder coated they are accurate in my Marlin 1895 or the Handi rifle and deer hit with it leave blood trails Ray Charles could follow ,usually 3 footers !

[Edward]

I’m looking for recommendations for a 45/70 bullets. I want to get a mould in the 300-400 gr range. What does everyone’s use?

My favorite is the NOE 460 -350gr - FN sized to 459 that mold is a 2 cavity 1 PB and one gas checked usually around 14-15 BHN . Plain /checked /or powder coated they are accurate in my Marlin 1895 or the Handi rifle and deer hit with it leave blood trails Ray Charles could follow ,usually 3 footers ! I might add 23-25.5 grains of 2400 under 1/2 grain of dacron gets it out at a chrono -ed 1500FPS accurate to 200yds using the bottom post of my duplex Leupold

[beltfed]

Favorite for many years of hunting exclusively with my M1886 Win 45-70/
457483 modified to HP or to 1/4" flat nose/ 1740 fps load of 3031.
Started with my first buck in 1969:
261331

[Nathanj]

I’m following this one, as I just picked up a 86 in 45-70 to hunt with this fall. So far all I have is the 405 flat/rd point. Anyone know of a HP mould that’s available?

[Bouteselle]

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-45-70-keith-style-hollow-point-mold-multi-choice/

[725]

My all-time favorite boolit for the .45-70 is the 462-420. I usually keep it down to the top end of the trap door load levels and it performs fantastically. Very accurate and, as my friends refer to it's terminal performance as, "the matrix boolt". Simply turns off the life force. Bear, deer & hogs have all fallen to this bullet. My alloy, which is softish, produces about a 415 grain bullet. Nice wide me-plat & good lube grooves.

[Bouteselle]

I've cast in 1/16 alloy in order to fit the Gould express principle, but due to quarantine, I've stopped my experiments.

https://zupimages.net/up/20/21/kpbz.jpg (https://zupimages.net/viewer.php?id=20/21/kpbz.jpg)

[warren5421]

I like the Layman 125 with SPG lube and 68-70 gr by vol of FFFg Dupont, shots better than Swiss, in my Sharps. I have a Marlin with a 32" Badger barrel that I have been trying different makers .405 gr RNFP to see which form shoots the best with black and 3031. With a Parsons 6X scope off a bench I have had 10 rounds within .56 center to center at 100 yards using Laser Cast and 3031. A full load fills about like the .44WCF Model 92.

[Zingger]

My go-to has been the 457122 Gould. In the Win 1885 Traditional Hunter (24") I run a "Bud" plain base gas check and a healthy dose of 5744. With hope I will be able to take it deer hunting one of these years. I do have a monster of a boolit mold- for me 480 is a mite much for my uses, but I haven't determined what to do with it as of yet.

In ending- hold out for the 457122, it's a gem!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010230362?pid=370703

[Ozark mike]

Accurate 460-502p is the creation of another member here. Coal 2.550 so it will chamber in the 1895 along with anything else. And for those that say you cant get enough powder behind it i beg to differ. It will sprain a wrist in a 7.5 bfr with h322

[Yooper003]

I agree with a previous statement that there is nothing wrong with the Lee 340 gr. at about 22$ how can you beat it. I have heavier molds but why go through my lead supply any faster. Also recoil a little less with this boolit. This boolit shoots accurately in my CVA v2 with everything from 11 gr. of red dot to 50 gr. of Varget. If I load for deer hunting ,I chuck up a small drill and create a small hollow point. Though this boolit casts a bit small with powder coat it works fine for me.

[Kim]

I have a Lyman 457406 HP mold that casts out at 440 grains with gas check and my Marlin 1895 (pre Remington) with Micro groove loves it. I've never been able to recover a bullet but the exit wounds are VERY impressive. I use a flat nose top punch when sizing to .459 and this puts a flat meplat on the bullet nose.

[Wally]

I highly recommend RCBS 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 45-325-FN-U 45 Caliber (458 Diameter) 325 Grain Flat Nose Universal. I have used the Lyman 405 grain 457193 and found that the lighter RCBS cast bullet works just as well and saves me some valuable lead. I have an older Marlin 1895 rifle with micro grooves. Yooper003 mentioned the Lee version at 340 grains...I have used it as well, but traded the mold after I bought the RCBS 82045. The Lee is much cheaper and will work nicely for you.