sizing dies and bore size?

[phc45-70]

I slugged the barrel on my 45-70 and it measures .456 to .4565 in the grooves. I have two sizing dies, one a .457 and the other a .459. My mold drops bullets at .460. Any suggestions as to which sizing die to use or should I just try with both? Casting WW and 50/50 solder at a 9 to 1 ratio and water cooled and I use gas checks.

[jack19512]

[QUOTE=phc45-70;560316] Any suggestions as to which sizing die to use or should I just try with both? QUOTE]



Won't hurt to try both.

[anachronism]

If it chambers correctly, I'd focus on the .459. My real preference is to shoot cat bullets unsized. To do that, I first cast a few test bullets, load a dummy round or two to make certain they'll chamber okay unsized, then measure them & order a dies for my Star that's .001 over the "as cast" dimension. This way I can lube them & crimp a gas check, if required.

[mooman76]

If it's a HB mould or you are shoting soft lead you may get by with the 457. If you are shooting a harder bullet, I'd go with the 459. Don't hurt to try them both but make sure the 459 will chamber before you load up a bunch.

[beagle]

Probably, the .459 will give better accuracy. Does in mine./beagle

[Slow Elk 45/70]

+1 To what Beagle said, if I size mine , I size .460 & .462 for my rifles, they are Marlins and like fat boolits.
I have a single shot that likes .459, The point being that most of these rifles like oversize boolits, .002-.003 for mine. Yours may be different. The chamber will dictate if you can go big or stay small. Most 45/70's that I have loaded for need the boolit at least .001 over bore size and .002-.003 has worked better for good accuracy.
Good Luck.