Will a Lee 457-340-F work in a 450 Marlin?

[Marlin Hunter]

Does anyone know if the flat base 340 grain Lee bullets will work in a 450 marlin?



It's listed for a 45-70, but those aren't meant to be shot at the same pressure as the 450's.

the 500 grain is the only mold in the 45-70 series of Lee molds that uses a gas check, but that may be too heavy and I don't know if there is load data for it with the 450's

[softpoint]

It should work fine, you will need to keep velocity and pressure low or it will probably lead the barrel. That bullet has a good reputation for accuracy. I use it with about 26 gr ,SR4759.Keep velocity under 1500fps, depending on alloy used, hardness.

[Bret4207]

Yes, that design will work. The thing is, will it work good? That depends on fit first. If it casts large enough it should give a good gas seal and may shoot good with little leading at speeds higher than you'd initially think. If it's the slightest bit undersize then you won't be able to achieve higher speeds. I would try it with straight WW alloy, with a little tin if your particular alloy needs it for fill out- I just run the mould hotter, before going to heat treating or quenching or adding enrichment alloy. Sometimes simple works fine.

[casey]

The design is sound how ever, I cant get them to shoot in my 1895gg. They drop at .457 and my gun does much better with a bullet at least .459in. If velocity is kept very low they might work for me but i dont run any of my loads in that rifle much under 1800 f.p.s. It just seems to shoot better for me.

[lifeon2]

check with lee and see if they have any of the ranch dog 350's left

[txpete]

I shoot them in my marlin ltd II no problems.very accurate bullet.I shoot them as cast with 2 cotes of TL.
pete

[softpoint]

If you already have that mold, and it is undersized, you can "beagle" it, or you can lap it. You might consider one of the Ranch dog 350's. They are gascheck molds though
BTW You can use that 500 grainer,too I use one of those sometimes. you will have to seat it pretty deep to work in the Marlin, but it works fine as well