Once Marlin starts producing their 1895 CB in 45/70 this summer I plan to purchase one now that we can use this caliber in Ohio for deer. Sounds like much fun. Thing is I want to use cast but am busy enough that I don't want it to be terribly complicated with all the various alloys, lubes, molds and such. I did a tiny bit of casting in the late 90's for a 30/06 and quite a bit of soft lead casting conical slugs for muzzleloaders over the years and have a fairly solid idea of the procedure. I've been a reloader for nearly 30 years but have put it on hold the past 6. I have a lyman lube/sizer, too, from the 30/06 days. There is even a couple hundred pounds of lead of various hardness in the storage shed, from very soft to WW, plumbing lead pipes and even a pig of linotype, (also, some little letters and numbers from a printing press, too). Over the past 20 years or so I've put them away for "when ever".
I tend to like what I see with the WFN bullets of 405 grains for my all around application of fun shooting and meat gathering. I am not interested in going too exotic, just a good working man's load that shoots from 1,600 to 1,900 fps with some expansion out to 200 yards, though most shots will be within 100. Accuracy is always the goal. Trying to keep it from breaking the budget is another.
I've been reading up on this subject on this site lately. It can be daunting to see all the ways this job can be done and I don't want to allow it to be overly complicated. I miss shooting and want to spend time on the range again.
Here is the question/s: Without devoting my life to this pursuit, as I have done with other hobbies much to my determent, what do you suggest as a solid path to take to get started; good lube, plain base or GC, plain WW, #2, 50/50, air cooled or water dropped, Lee/Lyman/Accurate/NOE mold, etc..? Men of knowledge, lay out a plan of action that keeps me from scrambling once I have a rifle and desire to enjoy it rather than tinker in frustration with it for months on end.
Thanks for your help and direction.
Christopher