A 45-70 load with a 235 Grain cast LRN bullet?

[Texxut]

Does anyone know of a 45-70 Gov load using a 235 g cast LRN bullet ? I'd like to shoot it in an 1886/1888 Trapdoor rifle.

[Larry Gibson]

I shoot 210 gr and 270 gr cast in my TFs. Suggest you start at 6 gr Bullseye and work up to 10 gr. Look for best accuracy, pressure is not a problem. No wad or filler needed.

[country gent]

Wile not the round nose thee was the lyman collar button bullet for the 45-70 gallery loads.

What you could do is a cheap lee 225 grn round nose mould lapped up to .458- .459. Would probably go up in weight to around 230 grns.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I load a 250gn 0.460 boolit over 10gn of Trailboss for my grandchildren it use in the 1886 lever rifle

[Texxut]

Thanks for all the responses. That sure gives me lots to work with. I have an 1888 built in 1892 I would like to load for, but not beat up the old girl.

[Texxut]

Larry Gibson,
Would cast wheel weights be acceptable or should I use pure lead when casting for the very old trapdoor 45-70?

[Larry Gibson]

Larry Gibson,
Would cast wheel weights be acceptable or should I use pure lead when casting for the very old trapdoor 45-70?

With smokeless loads, COWWs are certainly ok to use in the old TDs. I'd add 2% tin and then mix 50/50 with pure lead to stretch out the supply of COWWs. That alloy would be excellent in the old TDs.

[Texxut]

Thank you, I'll try to find time today to do some casting.

[Texxut]

Loaded and shot .458" PC 239 grn LRN WW, 6 grns, 6 1/2 grns. 7 grns. bullseye. 7 is best so far. Will load up next; 7 1/2, 8, & 8 1/2. The bore is not great, but I'm just shooting for fun anyway.

[Texxut]

Shot the 7 1/2 , 8 , & 8 1/2. loads the other day. I'm going to settle on the 8 grns Bulleye with the .458" 239 grain PC LRN. seems to be the best accuracy.
Now, I have another question. I want to shoot the above bullet with black powder and I read some people say BP level to the base of the seated bullet and some say the BP must be compressed a bit. So, which is it ? Powder to the base or compressed ? I shoot both BP rifle (Hawken) and pistol and compress the powder charges on both.