Lee 457-340-f

[dlbarr]

Thinking of buying this mould but not sure of its performance with smokeless powder as it's a PB rather than GC boolit. I know the general rule is smokeless & GC, BP & PB...but are there exceptions?

I have 300 & 400gr moulds for the 45/70 & don't really need the in-betweener, but just want to try it without investing alot. I would envision the mid-weight as another hunting round, provided it's workable with smokeless.

[454PB]

It works great in my Marlin GG. Casts about .458" in WW alloy and I size .4585" so there's no actual sizing, just lubing. I haven't exceeded 1500 fps., but no leading. I also size the same boolit down to .452" for use in my .454 Casulls.

[dlbarr]

It works great in my Marlin GG. Casts about .458" in WW alloy and I size .4585" so there's no actual sizing, just lubing. I haven't exceeded 1500 fps., but no leading. I also size the same boolit down to .452" for use in my .454 Casulls.

Do you use a fiber wad or something else between the bullet & powder? Or do you consider that even necessary?

[fredj338]

I've also used the Lee 340, makes a nice bullet, but the RCBS 325FN casts about the same weight & shoots better. Both plain base. I rarely go over 1500fps in my GG, min to no leading using range scrap & water dripping.

[dlbarr]

I've also used the Lee 340, makes a nice bullet, but the RCBS 325FN casts about the same weight & shoots better. Both plain base. I rarely go over 1500fps in my GG, min to no leading using range scrap & water dripping.

How about you Fred...anything between powder & bullet?

I also have the RCBS 300FN mould, but was just trying to get away with a lower cost for trying it out.

[Guesser]

I use it in a Ruger #1 at 1500 FPS, seems to be OK. Wish the loob grooves were a little deeper, but it works.

[Maineboy]

I have 6 different molds for my 45-70 Marlin and the Lee 340-F is the only one I can't get to shoot in my rifle. I know others swear by it but I gave up on it years ago.

[oldfart1956]

After a bit of lapping to fit the trapdoor springfield it's the only mold I use any more for the 45/70. Excellent mold. Audie...the Oldfart..

[bgokk]

Thinking of buying this mould but not sure of its performance with smokeless powder as it's a PB rather than GC boolit. I know the general rule is smokeless & GC, BP & PB...but are there exceptions?

I have that mold and with COWW they drop at .459”. Starline brass, 50.0 grains of H-335, CCI 250 primers, pan lube with Speed Green, medium crimp (LFC) at crimp groove, chronoed 1736 fps from a Marlin 1895 22” barrel. There was no leading.

I have also used 49.0 grains of IMR3031, CCI200 primers, WW brass, 1743 fps, all else the same as above.

Both loads had the boolits shot as cast not sized.

[dlbarr]

So I have here enough positive replies that convince me to drop the $20 for this mould. Thanks all.

Would like to ask once again if any of you use a wad, milk carton disk or anything in between powder & bullet?

[bgokk]

So I have here enough positive replies that convince me to drop the $20 for this mould. Thanks all.

Would like to ask once again if any of you use a wad, milk carton disk or anything in between powder & bullet?

With the loads I listed I did not use anything under the boolit. I have with a different boolit and powder used 0.75 gn tuft of Dacron.

[44man]

PB is good, no need for a GC, just cast them hard enough for smokeless. If too much space is above powder, Dacron is best, no need to protect the base, just hold in the powder.
Try 3031 or 4759.

[goofyoldfart]

DLBARR: I have used polywads (cut from meat trays from supermarket) in most of my straight wall cases. it does protect the base and keeps a uniform powder placement plus takes up any airspace. It has worked very well for me in ALL my straight wall cases, rifle and pistol. good luck. God Bless to you and yours.

Goofy