350-360 gr. Boolit for .45-70 Highwall?

[Kraschenbirn]

Getting tired of shoulder aches and pains from my 45-70 Highwall with its crescent buttplate. Even wearing a trapshooter vest, 40 or so rounds of 500 grainers at Trapdoor velocities, leave me hurtin' every time. Can shoot the same load in my old Pedersoli 'Heavy Sporter' RB all morning and move to the pistol line without a twinge.

Lyman 457124s (just over 400 gr. from my alloy) aren't neatly as unpleasant to shoot from the Highwall but my mold is an old SC that's seen better days (picked it out of an odds 'n ends box at a gunshow). So, I'm thinking of getting a new mold...at least a DC...for, maybe, a little lighter boolit. NOE, Accurate, and Arsenal all have designs in the range I'm considering so does anyone have any experience or suggestions? Oh yeah, I haven't shot competition in years and, these days, all my rifle work is 300 yards or less (max available on our club range.)

Thanks, guys...

Bill

[Bird]

I am using the 300 grain gas check bullet from RCBS, casts at 325 with WW alloy, or maybe their 325grain plain base mold. Nice molds. Nice bullets.

[chriskendziora]

I have the Lee 350gr with unique, 5744, Trail Boss or 2400 cowboy loads. PS I use the Past shoulder pad also. I have a torn rotator cuff so heavy recoil is my friend either. The Lyman Gould 320gr is also a nice option.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[gc45]

When shooting my Hiwall it gets the 330gr Gould Boolit over 5744.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I used a 250gn 0.460 over 10gn of Trailboss for my plinking load.

https://i.imgur.com/5MGaZSPl.jpg

[405grain]

NOE was having a sale over the 4th of July holiday so I just picked up a set of 460-315-RF-AV3 molds. I haven't had time to try them yet, but I suspect that they'll kick a lot less than the 405 grain bullets that I have been shooting. (420 grains with my alloy) I call the curved steel buttplate on my 1874 Sharps replica the "shoulder plow".

[mehavey]

Here's Accurate's Gould Clone in pure lead (350gr)

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?450875-quot-Brush-Gun-quot-loads-for-45-70-cast-HP&p=5502496&viewfull=1#post5502496

[Bigslug]

I'd change the stock before I gave up on the option of heavy bullets. Possibly cheaper than a good mold anyway:

Originals and similar:

https://www.cparifles.com/collections/winchester-highwall-lowall-stocks

Certain clones:

https://www.cparifles.com/collections/other-stocks

But if that's not the road you want to travel, pick a profile you like from Accurate (or consult with Tom on tweaking one to fit your throat or designing your own) and spec it for your alloy of choice.

[Kraschenbirn]

I'd change the stock before I gave up on the option of heavy bullets. Possibly cheaper than a good mold anyway...

Not planning on completely giving up on heavy boolits. The Accurate 46-515D is my 'go to' for the Pedersoli RB...like consistent 2 MOA (iron sights) at 300 yds. Just looking to develop something a little more comfortable for the Highwall.

Bill

[BLAHUT]

I use a Lee real bullet at about 360 grs in my roller, shoots real accurate for me and mold won't break the bank.....

[cwlongshot]

I really like the Ranch Dog 350. Its my favorite 45/70 bullet and has been for decades.

I believe that Arsenal has clones.

CW

[rintinglen]

I had very good success with the RCBS 45-325U, mine weighed about 340 grains with my alloy and made shooting 60 rounds of Lever Action Silhouette much more comfortable.