I never got any cast bullet in a 45/70 that was sized smaller than .459 to shoot consistently accurate groups
personally ID find a .459 sizer,
most rifles chambered for 45/70, 450 marlin and 458 win, have rifling twist rates that seem to favor gas check bullet designs in cast bullet weights in the 330-405 grain bullet weights, cast bullets in .458 caliber rifles usually provide both accurate loads and lethality comparable to the better jacketed bullets available, when used on most of American big game. like elk and deer hogs etc. which is something sub .375 caliber cast bullets don't always provide.
keep in mind heavy cast bullets were used over almost all of the westward expansion in AMERICA,
and decimated millions of bison in the 1700-1900 time frame. cheap and easily available,
mil surplus 45/70 ammo was commonly used in the 1875-1900 time frame,
on most of Americas big game and for homestead defensive use by pioneers and market hunters for decades.
www.accuratemolds.com
generally best accuracy is found in the 1600fps-2000 fps ranges
as velocities much faster , using cast bullets at times tends to cause bore leading issues in a few guns and slower reduces the spin stabilization, but of course rifling depth, number of lands, and twist rate VARIES
you really can't go wrong with a marlin, marlin/ruger, chambered in 45/70 or browning BLR 450 marlin caliber rifle.
the vast majority of the big game I hunt has been in rolling hill, and aspen or conifer filled canyon country where shots over 150 yards are very rare!
I've used both cartridges and rifles on and off for several decades, I purchased my first marlin 45 /70 in the late 70s and my BROWNING BLR chambered in 450 marlin in 2000,
I've found the hard cast gas check 350-400 grain bullets, or jacketed bullets of similar weight, work very well in either rifle.
the BLR has consistently had marginally better accuracy, but nothing you hunt or you will ever know any difference , I just sight in to hit 3.5" high at 100 yards and go hunting, its proven to be devastating on ELK and hogs and a few deer.
mid range powders like IMR 3031, H4895 and WW 748, and imr 4064 have all proven to produce good accurate loads,
I might be in the minority but I prefer the BLR, over the marlin as its a tiny bit more accurate and to me just feels better in my hands.
https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-405B
btw
50 grains of IMR3031 under a 405 gas check bullet (linked)and a 215 fed primer in my 450 marlin chambered BLR has proven to be exceptionally consistent and accurate in my BLR
www.accuratemolds.com
almost ideal in 45/70 and 450 marlin
btw most rifles chambered for bore sizes like 358, 375, .416, .430, and 458 caliber cartridges respond well to properly cast bullet use.
obviously rifle twist rates and bullet designs must match fairly well, to get the best results and velocity's kept under 2000 fps tend to produce decent accuracy
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/the-458-caliber-rifles.4672/page-2#post-96422
if your punching paper targets the bullet design and weight matters little.
keep in mind more than 80% of all big game is shot and killed at well UNDER 200 yards and
a 330 grain-405 grain cast bullet from a 45/70 or a 450 marlin or reduced loads in a 458 win in the 1600fps-2000 fps velocity range are very lethal out to 300 plus yards on any big game in the hands of a consistent shot that understands the games anatomy and bullet trajectory
and many rifles like the Ruger, and Browning single shots ,
and many bolt actions,
(keep in mind they make both 45/70 and 458 win chamberings)
have twist rates will also stabilize the 420-530 grain cast bullets that can be pushed to similar velocities,
that will still be lethal with a precise shot placement on game,
out well past 1200 yards.
keep in mind the game you hunt with a 45/70 and cast bullets, effects the selection of bullet weight, velocity and range ,
you'll use it at, all mater, deer are easy to kill,
and a 330-350 grain bullet is ok, used on deer,
especially at the typical 70-120 yard range's ,
and it will work out at 150-250 yards in skilled hands,
even at lower 1600fps-1800 fps velocity if you place shots well,
but range estimation and drop, become an issue for most hunters past 250 yards.
but ELK are a tougher proposition,
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
and a 400-460 grain bullet at 1800 fps-2200 fps is a better match, and a 45/70 450 marlin or reduced loads in a 458 win,
are best used at closer ranges, like under 120-150 yards if possible,
(keep in mind in thick conifer and aspen, shots at elk are generally under 100 yards in my experience),
and a 400-430 grain bullet in a 45/70-or-450 marlin ,
or a similar load in a 458 win single shot or bolt action,
at closer to 1900 fps-2200 fps)
are a better choice than a 350 grain, bullet at lower velocity,
in my opinion, on elk, power is less of an issue than precise shot placement
especially at ranges exceeding 200 yards,
where proper shot placement and a knowledge of the games anatomy and your rifles trajectory are more critical.
btw if your using a 458 win
a good reduced load is a 400 grain gas check ,cast bullet over
about 67 grains of rl7 or 69 grains of imr 3031,
seat out to longest length that easily chambers and feeds, fed or win mag primers preferred this tends to get you in the 1950-2000 fps range with a 400 grain bullet
this provides a very noticeable reduction in recoil and ammo cost compared to factory 500 grain cartridges, without any loss in lethality on ELK in the dense thickets at typical under 150 yard ranges
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bore-size-and-rifling.15674/#post-95843
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-with-bullets-you-made.6802/page-2#post-85697
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellMarlin-MicroGroove.htm
https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
https://thebarreloutlet.com/twist-calculator/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...el-twist-rate/
want a plinking load, a 350 grain bullet in a 45/70 over 12 grains of blue-dots devastating on tin cans at 50-75 yards
load 45 grains of RL7 under that bullet and no hog or deer is safe!
https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-350B
want to eat elk, load a 400 grain cast bullet in that 45/70, 450 marlin or 458 win , at 1800 fps
youll be well equipped
https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-400C
your
lead bullet casting heat and alloy both effect the cast bullet diameter
I prefer a 4%-5% tin and 95% ww alloy and ,
use gas check bullets cast so they look a bit frosted for consistency,
btw when I cast bullets, I try to run the lead temps up where I get a bit of a frosted,
but Ive used lots of scrap lead from various sources that contained some antimony
some marinas sell scrap ballast lead reasonably
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?192192-How-does-alloy-mix-affect-casting-size
https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/thread/10297-composition-of-alloy-to-diameter-relationship/
I was recently asked why I've stated use of a 45/70, 450 marlin and heavy bolt actions, like a 458 win or 458 LOTT rifles have any realistic use in north America, ? the basis of this question was that all the 458 caliber rifles have rather limited effective range, due to less than ideal flat...
garage.grumpysperformance.com