45-70 data

[Lead Ball]

hello I have a new to me Marlin 1895 I have several Speer reloading manuals but I want to load cast boolits and I prefer hard copy over online so I was wondering what you reloaders suggest thanks

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[aasbra]

Lyman has a cast bullet manual that has quite a bit of detail on cast bullets. Also, I like the Loadbooks USA manuals. They compile a number of other bullet and powder manufacturers' data into a small spiral bound notebook that is caliber specific (has both jacketed, plated, and cast lead data). Oregon Trail used to offer cast bullet data for their bullets, but I believe that I heard they were bought out by another company.

 

[therealhitman]

I suggest the online hard copy.

@Lead Ball Here's the Lee Data @SuperBreed mentioned.

 

[SuperBreed]

Lees modern reloading has a decent amount of caste 45-70 loads in it.

 

[Lead Ball]

Great I'm gonna get one of them next Q what is your favorite cast pills 325grn to 460grn

 

[gmerkt]

When I was casting my own, I liked 405 gr. Lately, I've been using a Berry's 350 gr. plated. A little while ago, I ordered some cast 328 gr. so see how they shoot.

 

[Lead Ball]

How are the Berry's bullets

 

[Quirt Evans]

Great I'm gonna get one of them next Q what is your favorite cast pills 325grn to 460grn

I've always been partial to the 405 from Oregon Trail/Lazer cast.
For just general-purpose fun that bullet with ~25>26 grains of 5744 just about duplicates one of the original black powder loads, (CHECK THE MANUALS,) and it'll go clean thru an Elk.
I got a box of the Oregon Trail 500gr. bullets before they were discontinued but too much recoil in a light weight lever gun, and they're too long to feed thru the action on a Marlin.

 

[gmerkt]

How are the Berry's bullets

So far, they've worked out well. I haven't fired many rounds, but right off the bat I got a nice group with them using H4198. At the time I bought them, there weren't any jacketed .45-70 bullets available due to the famine. And actually, with the soft, thin copper coating, they are like a clean cast bullet.

This is my second go-around with .45-70. Years ago, I had a New England Firearms SB2 single shot and a Marlin 1895 in .45-70. I cast my own bullets for them using a custom-ordered mold from Lee that was a group purchase. I had some jacketed bullets in my stock but I don't believe I ever fired any in those two rifles.

This time around, I bought a Henry Single Shot in .45-70. Very nice rifle. These days, I'm no longer casting bullets so I rely on what I can get "store bought."



I liked the Henry in .45-70 so much that I bought another one in .357 Magnum, that's an easy one for ammo.

 

[orygun]

Lyman makes the best loading manual for cast bullets. There is so much info in the older manuals to do with casting, sizing and loading cast bullets.
I don't think the current version has all of that info, but you shouldn't have a hard time finding one used.

 

[jkor]

FYI. don't try to push them to jacketed bullet speeds, accuracy goes to hell.

 

[dangerranger60]

If your marlin has a micro groove barrel you will need to cast the hardest alloys or use a Gas Checked bullet. If your marlin has standard or Ballard rifling, it was made for cast bullets.
From my Marlin with cut rifling, my best bullet is a 405 gr Lee bullet with a hollow base. for the one with micro groove I use a 365gr gas checked bullet.

I have not tried Powder Coated bullets but others have used them in Micro barrels with good results. Good Luck DR