what lee 45-70 mold do I want

[supertodd]

getting a 45-70 rifle barrel for my contender, what lee 45-70 mold would do best.

[Shooter6br]

I have a Range Dog 350g for my Ruger # 1 and used it for my Pedersolui RB. It shoots great. There is a post of a guy using a Ranch Dog 350 in his Contender Check past articles Rick (I think he used 4759 powder which I use :castmine:

[Ole]

I'm still waiting on the Ranch dog 350 gr moulds to get back in stock.

They had the moulds, but no sizers about a month ago, now they are out of both.

[MtGun44]

For what purpose?

Bill

[jack19512]

what lee 45-70 mold would do best.





My Marlin 45/70 shoots the Lee 340 gr. and the Lee 405 gr. very good. Real accurate both of them. In my lever action the 405 feeds better but both are equally accurate.

[high standard 40]

My Marlin 45/70 shoots the Lee 340 gr. and the Lee 405 gr. very good. Real accurate both of them. In my lever action the 405 feeds better but both are equally accurate.

Lee shows both of those bullets as .457. What diameters do your molds actually drop?

[Doc Highwall]

Supertodd, we need to know what kind of gun and what you are going to use it for.

[supertodd]

they will be shot in a contender rifle. I would like to stay above 350 grns. I will be using it for deer, elk and bear. This will be my back up gun if something happens to my 35 whelen. I currently cast 44 and 45 l. colt bullets and tumble lube them. Does tumble lube work for rifle bullets or do I need to buy a the regular luber press. Do you guys recommend plain base or gas checked?

[supertodd]

just went to the ranch dog site and think I will go with the 425, if you guys think a gas check is the way to go.

[hedgehorn]

just went to the ranch dog site and think I will go with the 425, if you guys think a gas check is the way to go.

I have both Ranch Dog molds and for me the 350 grain has allot flatter trajectory in my Marlin XLR :drinks:

[jack19512]

Lee shows both of those bullets as .457. What diameters do your molds actually drop?







I use straight WW and water dropped, I measured one boolit each and the 405 came out at .462 and the 340 came out at .461 if my measurements are correct.

[JSnover]

My Lee 405s drop .461 +/_.001 Sized to .459 they shoot great!

[jack19512]

just went to the ranch dog site and think I will go with the 425, if you guys think a gas check is the way to go.








So far I have not found the need for a GC at the velocity I am shooting. Using a GC when you don't need to only increases the cost of your ammo. I can't imagine a 340 gr. or 405 gr. boolit at around 1200-1300 fps. not doing what I want it to do. I'm not elephant hunting and the dinosaurs died out a long time ago. Just my opinion of course. YMMV

[Bullshop]

You know a 400gn boolit at 1300 fps from a handgun is the hammer of Thor but from a rifle its poopoo for nothing more than wild fleas and bumble bee's
Go figure!?!
BIC/BS

[Rick459]

supertodd,
i using the Lee mold 459-500-3R in both my contender and RB. very accurate in both. HTH

Rick
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o301/rick4570/Picture012.jpg

[Sprue]

Just to give you an idea here is what I shoot in my Lever Action. Serves my needs.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/spilihp_2007/DSCF0726_2.jpg

[supertodd]

thanks guys, IT sounds like I can get away with one of the lee regular base molds. Will tumble lube work ok.

[jack19512]

Will tumble lube work ok.









So far the LLA has been the only lube I have used and it works well for my 45/70. I do want to try other lubes for my 44 mag and 454 Casull though.

[high standard 40]

Thanks Jack & JS for the measurements. I was wondering about that.

Charlie.........

[jh45gun]

I use the Lee .459 Hollow Base bullet and it works great I cast it then size it to .459.

[Rick459]

here's my Contender that i shoot those out of
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o301/rick4570/Picture031-1.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o301/rick4570/Picture032-1.jpg

[Silicon Wolverine]

i use the lee 500 gr mold for my NEF handi rifle in 45-70 with trail boss powder. it nicely recreates the 45-70-500 load of BP fame.

SW

[Bullfrog]

Supertodd, there is a fella that sells them here out of Centennial Colorado.
Reason I am mentioning it, they are doubles. I got a pair of double .405's for 25 bucks each
with the handles. Lee of course. This link is for the 500 grain. He rotates his stock in. Hope this helps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-2-Cavity-Bullet-mold-Mould-45-70-cal-500gr-90577_W0QQitemZ120380687570QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item120380687570&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50