Lee 405gn .459" Hollow base

[gunnie]

Learned Ones,

I'm relatively new to this whole casting/powder coating dark art, but learning and enjoying every single moment of this pathway.
I mainly cast/PC for pistol cartridge use though have also delved into rifle cals. Mainly shoot Single Action & Combined Service Rifle/Pistol these days so my casting efforts revolve around: - .228" .257", .264", .284", .308", .314-.320", .323", .357", .366", .378", .430", .452" & .459-460".

My question is: I cast for a Uberti 1885 HiWall 45-70Gov't using a couple of different moulds. I recently picked up a Lee .459" 405gn Hollow Base mould for next to nothing. I was curious as to how effective this type of projectile would be in the 1885. I also have a Marlin 1895SS in 45-70 that I'm contemplating trying these projectiles in.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[koger]

I have shot the std 405 gr cast and the hollow base with about the same accuracy with both. The HB comes in handy, if you have a barrel that is oversize, the hollow base allows for more expansion to fill the bore and better accuracy. I have a rolling block, that has a pristine bore, but is overbore, and I shoot these bullets only in this rifle, with very good accuracy.

[marlinman93]

I have this same mold, and I like it a lot for out to 600 yds. Couple things that seem to make it a great shooter are the hollowbase and the way Koger described it's function. The base seems to seal well, and fit the bore. But it also makes the bullet longer than a flat base 405 gr., and it makes the design more weight forward. Both help stabilize the bullet better, and it will take a bit longer to begin destabilizing.

[john.k]

A lot of the Lee HB 45 molds dont centre the HB plug very well,the hollow is somewhat off centre in the bullet......I made my plug flat base,so the bullet is balanced.