Let's talk 45-70 moulds.

[USSR]

Okay, so I've got MP Mold's 405 grain mould which is a real beauty, but I am looking for a 2nd mould that will cast something a little lighter. I am looking at a couple of moulds from Accurate and am hoping someone familiar with the 45-70 will weigh in on a good choice. The following two are under consideration:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-345A-D.png

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-345B-D.png

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Don

[Duckiller]

When I got my Marlin 1895 in cowboy version I got two Lee molds. 405 gr and 330Gr. Both work great. Have no reason to buy more expensive molds.

[USSR]

Thanks Duckiller, but I've gotten spoiled with brass moulds.

Don

[RKJ]

USSR, without having hunted with my 1895 i like the 345-A, as it seems just a tad wider at top and I prefer the style. I'd imagine either one will shoot very well. I understand your preference for brass molds, I've got three of them from Mihec and love em. But, that LEE 340 shoots good out of my gun too though.

[NorthMoccasin]

Either mold should serve you well. For most any reasonable use (except long range match shooting) in a 45/70 bullets in the 300-420 grain range are the sweet spot IMHO. A 405 grain will shoot through any moose that ever lived! 300 grains is more than enough for deer. The lyman 330 gr Gould hollow point is deadly on deer. I once shot a nice 8 pt whitetail on the point of the near shoulder and recovered the bullet under the skin of the ham on the off side. It is the only Gould I have recovered. The rest have always exited regardless of the path taken. They have always expanded for me at about 1400 fs MV. Your 345 grain should be about perfect, unless you desire expansion, then I would recommend the Gould. I like Brass molds too!

[USSR]

Thanks NorthMoccasin. Definitely not worried about expansion or penetration. Have shot several deer with my .45 Colt revolver and have yet to recover a bullet. The MP Mold 405gr mould I have will cast hollowpoints if I want to go that route.

Don

[NorthMoccasin]

A great plinking casual shooting load is a 300 gr cast over 15.0 gr Unique. VERY accurate and pleasant to shoot.

[indian joe]

Thanks Duckiller, but I've gotten spoiled with brass moulds.

Don

some of us have gotten spoiled with aluminium molds (particularly the twenty dollar tag on LEE molds)
Not a case of one or the other being better - but they work differently for sure (my molds are about half each with a couple of cast iron ones as well)

[USSR]

A great plinking casual shooting load is a 300 gr cast over 15.0 gr Unique. VERY accurate and pleasant to shoot.

Yeah, I've heard that. And that is a load I intend to try.

Don

[redhawk0]

I have 3 molds for the 45-70...two LEE and one Lyman. the Lyman is a 330gr Gould HP...works great...the LEEs are a 405 and 340...All three shoot great. I use the LEE 340gr for deer in NH.

redhawk

[missionary5155]

Good morning
There are not too many critters left in our U.S. of A. that need more "thwapping" than what a properly placed 350 grainer cast of 50/50 from any lever rifle at 1500 fps (or more if so you desire) an get done.

[Chill Wills]

Good morning
There are not too many critters left in our U.S. of A. that need more "thwapping" than what a properly placed 350 grainer cast of 50/50 from any lever rifle at 1500 fps (or more if so you desire) an get done.

This is very true.



456192 / 457192 This is the standard bullet for .45-75 and .45-70 Winchester. (PB, 350 - TP is 191)

I am something of a 45 cal rifle bullet accumulater. I came across one a few years ago but it is in only Okay shape.

Lots of good choices in the Gould bullet to Lyman 457 193 Marlin 420 flat nose group. Almost any could be made to work well assuming round (ish) and large enough to fill the chamber and throat.

[JFE]

In case you’re not aware a lot of current production 45/70 rifles have little to no throat. The difference in the two mould designs you referred to is in how they will fit the throat. The front band of version B is shorter and slimmer.

[Drm50]

My light bullet is the 322gr Gould Express HP, a Lyman mold. Shoots well in everything from original Trapdoors to Ruger #1 and Marlin 1895.

[thraxx]

Have you looked at the "collar buttons"? maybe a little light for what you're looking for, but it's something different.

[USSR]

FWIW, I pulled the trigger on the "B" mould. Now for the 3 week wait.

Don

[Chill Wills]

FWIW, I pulled the trigger on the "B" mould. Now for the 3 week wait.

Don

The B mold looks to be more universal, how many cavities and what rifle?
I am sure you will have fun with a 350gr.

[USSR]

The mould is a 2 cavity brass mould. Most of my moulds are brass, so I really like them. The rifle is a Winchester Model 1886 made by Uberti. I just recently added a Lyman receiver sight to it.

259071

Don

[C. Latch]

That's a gorgeous rifle.

[Norske]

A word of advice from a County Sheriff I used to know that hunted the Missouri River bottoms with his 45-70 for many years.
No matter how big the rack, don't ever shoot a mule deer that's facing you in the center of the chest. The cast bullet will exit the far end of the deer, bursting every organ between the sternum and the pelvis along the way. Field dressing is NOT pleasant. The meat is not salvageable. Antler stew is thin.