How many lube grooves? What shape?

[Naphtali]

I have been disposing of my molds to acquire better casting solutions, via LBT or Mountain Molds, as needed.

I reload for 45 Colt, 480 Ruger, 475 Linebaugh, and 45-70. I intend to acquire one two-cavity mold for each caliber - revolver bullets to be plain base WFN, 45-70 LFN bullet to emulate the shape of Beartooth's Piledriver Jr. and use gas check.
***
45 Colt (FA M97) bullet will be 270-300 grains.

480 Ruger (SRH) and 475 Linebaugh (FA M83) bullet will be 400-420 grains.

45-70 (Marlin M1895 XLR) bullet will be 415-430 grains.

Revolver bullets are WW and WW + 2, velocities not to exceed 1200 fps. Powders are Titegroup and H110, only, to allow me to reload for pleasant shooting as well as hunting.

Rifle bullet will achieve as high velocity as is safe - that is, my target velocity from Marlin XLR (24-inch barrel) is 1900 fps. If I can kvetch out more, that's what I'll do. The load is not intended to be pleasant to shoot. I will use a sandbag "recoil pad" during most practice sessions. I anticipate no problem associated with excessive recoil during hunting season since the load would be fired no more than a few times in the field.
***
I have acquired a Star lube-sizer with heater. When the seller's Ballisti-Cast lube-sizer is delivered to him, I take possession of his Star. I estimate transfer to occur in about 10 weeks. Seller recommends LBT blue lube for all bullets.

If I've left out any needed information, please ask for it. I'll do my best to supply it.
***
How many lubrication grooves for each bullet identified? And what shape - depth, length, etc. - for them to achieve accuracy with as little leading as I can from my equipment?

[runfiverun]

one and square a pain to cast but a pleasure to shoot.
for the 45-70 can't help you but i would think 2 or three would be plenty you could always leave one or 2 grooves empty.

[Bret4207]

How many lubrication grooves for each bullet identified? And what shape - depth, length, etc. - for them to achieve accuracy with as little leading as I can from my equipment?

Boy, that's kinda like asking if a guy likes Ginger or Mary Ann better! I'd be inclined to talk with Veral or Dan and ask their opinion. I like Loverin style boolits for rifles myself, and round lube grooves should be stronger in theory. A single groove should be fine for the revolver.

[cajun shooter]

Pretty tough question as Bret said. Do you ever plan on using BP with any of them; if so you will need more and larger lube grooves. I will also say that you have a choice if you have too many but not so if not enough. It's like measure twice and cut once.

[Naphtali]

. . . Do you ever plan on using BP with any of them; if so you will need more and larger lube grooves. I will also say that you have a choice if you have too many but not so if not enough. It's like measure twice and cut once.All cartridge firearms will use only smokeless powders. My black powder guns are muzzleloading.
***
Among reasons for the query are: some users believe Star lube-sizer has problems with multiple lube grooves and seating crimp-on (Gator Chek and Hornady) gas checks.

I'm reducing my shooting options to only what I'll use. This simplifies my inventory while it reduces my cost of shooting without reducing severely my amount of shooting.

I've decided to use only H322 in the 45-70. That's the reason the unopened 8-pound container of IMR3031 is trade bait.

I've disposed of all handgun powders except H110 and Titegroup.

[MtGun44]

I think this is a bit like trying to get a clear and definite answer to "How high is up?"

No real answer. Too many variables, too many cases where a boolit with many shallow
grooves will outshoot a single lube groove boolit in a particular gun, in a particular caliber
with a particular powder at a particular power level. AND the single lube groove boolit
will outshoot the multi in another gun, powder, caliber, etc. set of conditions.
Alloy and fit fall into the mix somewhere, too.

Good luck. Try a bunch, see what actually WORKS at the power level you want in YOUR
gun and you'll be fine. My crystal ball is way to fuzzy to get an answer in advance.

Bill