.45-70 and gas checks

[Leverlover]

Hi all,

I'm about to reload my .45-70 Ruger No 1 with 300grain cast bullets and have had a bit of a hiccup.

The reloading data I have for ADI powders (AR2208) lists a minimum load of 1590fps, and the bullets I've ordered don't have gas checks, am I going to be able shoot those bullets at that speed without the gas checks?

Cheers for any help

Mike

[Nobade]

As long as they are big enough to fit the barrel they'll be fine. I don't have any problem shooting hard plain base bullets in my Marlin 1895 at 1900 fps. Old Rugers run on the big side as far as groove diameter sometimes. My own #3 had to shoot .462" bullets or it would lead badly. If yours is a newer one it'll likely be better.

[x101airborne]

Curious question. I dont believe i have ever heard of 458 gas checks, although I guess it would be possible to use standard 45 cal checks. I would slug your bore, check your as-cast diamater and add around .002 - .003. If your boolits are as cast a little small, you can soften the lead and pressure the mold to squeeze another .001 or so out of your mold. Or beagle it. Either way.

[thx997303]

There are .458 gas checks. I have maybe a hundred of them right now.

I've pushed to 1800 fps with a 350 gr Ranch Dog boolit sized to .460" with 45-45-10 lube in my Marlin without a single bit of leading.

The boolit has a gas check shank, but I don't usually use a gas check.