Best 405 for 45/70 & 458 win mag

[Dogmann]

I'm looking to use one 405gr bullet for both my 45/70 ruger no.1 and my 458 win mags -Ruger M77&#1....

What's the best 405 that I can use in both calibers?
Best brand? I need gas checks right?
I'm looking for a good flat nose hard cast.

[lobowolf761]

Are you looking to buy or just looking for info?

[Dogmann]

Just looking for info. Then I'm going to buy in bulk.

[lobowolf761]

You might want to check with Buffalo Arms. I use .458 405grn in my 45-110 sharps but I mould my own no harder than #2 alloy so far. Works great on deer. But you will need a bit harder alloy for you 458 win mag no doubt because of increased velocity and pressure. Same for 45-70 ruger.

[lobowolf761]

Both my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and Lyman Reloading Handbook show using the #2alloy for both rifles. My sharps shoots these pretty good with no leading at approx 1850fps using 50grns of imr4198. Grouping at 3" at 100yds in an unsupported sitting position. I also load a 405grn jsp with same powder load grouping about the same.

[lobowolf761]

As for gas checks that will depend on the bullets you buy. Whether they are gas check or flat base.

[Lonegun1894]

If you change your mind and decide to cast them yourself, I would vote the RCBS 45-405-FNGC. Works great in my .45-70.

[Lead Fred]

The best would be an adjustable paper patch mold that you can adjust to get the best groupings with several rifles.

[Tatume]

These two cartridges (and I also shoot both) are very versatile. So much of the answer to your question depends on the use to which the cartridges will be put. Target shooting, deer and black bear hunting, brown bear hunting, etc., all have different requirements. There are many other utilities for them, and although there is overlap in bullet functions, the "best" bullet will vary according to the application.

[lobowolf761]

These two cartridges (and I also shoot both) are very versatile. So much of the answer to your question depends on the use to which the cartridges will be put. Target shooting, deer and black bear hunting, brown bear hunting, etc., all have different requirements. There are many other utilities for them, and although there is overlap in bullet functions, the "best" bullet will vary according to the application.

This is very true. The bullet may work just fine in one rifle at a certain velocity but not in the other at a higher velocity.

[lobowolf761]

If you change your mind and decide to cast them yourself, I would vote the RCBS 45-405-FNGC. Works great in my .45-70.

That is a real good bullet for hunting.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'm looking to use one 405gr bullet for both my 45/70 ruger no.1 and my 458 win mags -Ruger M77&#1....

What's the best 405 that I can use in both calibers?
Best brand? I need gas checks right?
I'm looking for a good flat nose hard cast.

I recently bought NOE's version of the 405
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...roducts_id=394
I haven't shot any yet, but the nose is a nice fit to chamber and lands in my Ruger #3 in 45/70.

[dh2]

If you change your mind and decide to cast them yourself, I would vote the RCBS 45-405-FNGC. Works great in my .45-70.

I have to agree here Lyman and Lee 45 cal. both drop .457 dia. RCBS drops .459 and I have a NOE 460-405 mold that drops .460
my .458 Win. Mag will not preform well with less than 405gr. There is factory cast bullets that are .459 and .460
http://beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

[Bohica793]

I recently bought NOE's version of the 405
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...roducts_id=394
I haven't shot any yet, but the nose is a nice fit to chamber and lands in my Ruger #3 in 45/70.

I cast and shoot the NOE 460-405 as well in my 45/70. As mentioned previous, too many others tend to be undersized while this one is just about perfect.

[Toymaker]

Hardest one I know of is the LaserCast 405 grain, 0.459 inch diameter flat nose. If I remember correctly they tested BHN 30 - 35. You won't need gas checks although they come with a beveled base. They come lubed and it is fairly good although it gets a tad hard in colder weather and breaks out of the grooves. I used them for a number of years until I decided casting my own was the way to go.

[Lonegun1894]

I cast and shoot the NOE 460-405 as well in my 45/70. As mentioned previous, too many others tend to be undersized while this one is just about perfect.

I guess I got lucky because my Lyman 457122HP casts at .461" and my RCBS 45-405-GC casts at .460".

[kungfustyle]

by the time you buy a batch of boolits you will be 70% to a new mold if not all the way. Take the step and get that NOE mold you will be glad you did.

[cajun shooter]

I would suggest trying a few different bullets before deciding what bullet you have chosen for your guns. The 45-70 with the RCBS mold works well on most but not all guns. The first step would be a bore slugging of both guns to see if they both will fire the same bullet.
I see where some have suggested a bevel base bullet, I would stay away from them as they will allow blow by into the bore and not seal with Obturation especially if any BP loadings are to be tried.
One gun may need to fire a .459 bullet while the other works better with a .460, it's found to be true all the time.
I don't know if the twist of your barrels are also in line with each other as that is when bullet weight comes into play. Take Care and good Luck David

[MtGun44]

RCBS 405 GC is my go-to boolit for .45-70 and should be fine in .458.
Very high quality mold, excellent accy.

Bill

[Dogmann]

Is a Gas Check bullet required for 458wm?