Inline FabricationRepackboxTitan ReloadingLee Precision
RotoMetals2WidenersReloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters Supply
Load Data
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Question on lightweight boolit in 45/70

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    MI (summer) - AZ (winter)
    Posts
    5,098

    Question on lightweight boolit in 45/70

    Maybe this isn't feasible but will ask anyway. I'm all set with what I need to load BP 45/70 and have been on the lookout for a single shot - not in a rush at this point but I still keep it in the back of my mind - one will show up eventually. Anyway . . . . I have the Lee 405 grain HB mold and will be casting some up in a few weeks to take back to AZ with me this winter where my loading stuff is at for the 45/70. As I was looking and searching for some things today, I ran across the Lee 456-220-1R mold that they made for use in the Ruger Old Army and I was just wondering if anyone has used this out of a 45/70 for a lighter weight boolit - and if so, is it worth trying?

    I'm not wanting to put a bunch into a rifle as I'm primarily just wanting to plink and kill cans - have always liked the history of the 45/70 cartridge though so we'll see. I may just get a Henry single shot so I can play with both BP and lighter smokeless loads - not looking to get fancy or shoot at long ranges - I'm old and past all of that. I'm not sure what the bore size is on the Henry, but saw the above boolit today and just got to wondering. If it's a no-go - any suggestions for a lighter weight boolit mold to keep an eye out for?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,423
    I shoot the 460-350 grain NOE bullet ,great for hunting/target Ed

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    222
    May be to small in dia at 456. You should use a 458-459

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Randy Bohannon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Buffalo WY
    Posts
    919
    There are ‘collar button’ moulds for the 45-70 about the lightest bullet that work.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    MI (summer) - AZ (winter)
    Posts
    5,098
    Thank you - I'll chalk that one off the list! Didn't know if out of soft lead if it would expand enough to fit bore or not. I'll take a look at NOE and see what they have - I have a number of Al's molds and enjoy casting with them very much - top notch!

    Greatly appreciate the info and advice@

    Jim

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Bad Ass Wallace's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,958
    I'm loading a 260gn (0.459") in my 1886 over 10gns of Trailboss!

    Hold Still Varmint; while I plugs Yer!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    3,702
    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Bohannon View Post
    There are ‘collar button’ moulds for the 45-70 about the lightest bullet that work.
    I shot .490 roundball out of my sharps one time - drove em through a .460 size die, loaded flush down in the case, filled the gap on top with lube like ya would for a cap and ball pistol. just a lark for the local club but they did good.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    550
    I am liking the RCBS 300 gr RNFN bullet in my '86 Win and the Marlin 1895G
    Shoots well. Less recoil than my 457483 -385 gr bullet.
    beltfed/arnie

  9. #9
    Vendor Sponsor

    Chill Wills's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Was-Colorado, Wyoming now
    Posts
    3,151
    Good friend and offhand rifleman Cody Smith shoots a 40-65 and went to a pistol bullet for the 200 meter chickens and he does very well. His bullet is something in the 250grn weight range. He loads a full case of the Old KIK powder and found an accurate load.
    So accuracy can be had with the light ones.
    Chill Wills

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Lead pot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    3,577
    Chill,

    If you ever see a 457-121 adjustable mould for sale jump on it. It as made by Pope for Ideal.
    This mould can be set for weights from 215g, 250g, 295g, 340g, 385g, 430g, 475g.
    I don't think you would find a better chicken bullet for a .45.
    Pope also made one like it for the .40 caliber rifle.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    270
    Article on collar bullets in the 45-70:

    https://gunsmagazine.com/gear/collar...-70-gentleman/

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy


    hpbear101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    256
    Beagke the .456 mold and try as cast, would probably shoot fairly well.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Lake Havasu City, Arizona
    Posts
    21,305
    Quote Originally Posted by bedbugbilly View Post
    ......... As I was looking and searching for some things today, I ran across the Lee 456-220-1R mold that they made for use in the Ruger Old Army and I was just wondering if anyone has used this out of a 45/70 for a lighter weight boolit - and if so, is it worth trying?

    ............ If it's a no-go - any suggestions for a lighter weight boolit mold to keep an eye out for?

    Thanks.
    I have tried the Lee 456-220-1R in the 45-70. It worked just ok and then when cast soft and with a 9 gr charge of bullseye (1175 fps) so the smaller bottom and middle bands would bump up. I even opened up the bottom drive band of the mould so it would drop that band at .460. Did a little better but still not as good as I some commercial cast 312 gr bullets did. I then got the Rapine 460-250-FN and it is the proverbial "cat's meow" dropping at 270 gr from my moulds. Loaded over 8 gr of Bullseye it runs 1050 fps +/- out of my four rifles with excellent accuracy to 300+ yards. I believe Accurate makes a replica of the Rapine bullet.

    It is the 2nd from the left.

    Attachment 287013
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check