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Handloads.Com Forum Cast Bulletsnewbie 45/70 loading question | |
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| Howdy folks! I'm new to the forum and have never reloaded cast bullets. My experience is limited to jacketed bullets of various types. I'm a huge 45/70 fan and shoot a modern Sharps long range rifle and a Marlin guide gun. I've used both for hunting and at the range. I'd like to start using cast bullets simply for the cost factor. The problem is I know very little about it. I have heard that I have to keep my velocities low to avoid leading of the barrel, but I don't know what numbers are right. I have a box of 500 Bear Creek 305 Gr cast bullets that I'd really like to use up but I've been hesitant to load them. Can I have some suggestions on some basic loads for the range and the field? I use the 45/70 for bear and deer, primarily. I like to use Reloader #7 as it has kept the tightest groups and most consistent performance for me to date. Thanks in advance. | |
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| Welcome to the forum ronins, I can't offer any suggestions for the 45/70 but can help a bit about cast bullets. You don't necessarily have to keep velocities low to prevent leading. How fast you can drive them will depend on how hard they are, how smooth your bore is, how well the bullet fits the bore and the powder you select. If all is well you can drive cast bullets over 2,000 fps without leading. I would suggest trying lighter loads at first though. Those Bear Creek bullets wouldn't be from Bear Creek Guns in Redmond, Wa would they? | |
John We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces, singing; whiskey for my men, beer for my horses Molon Labe! | |
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| Thanks...how light is light? I normally use 48 of RL7 on JHP's. This bear creek is bullets only and they are in CA. | |
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| According to Alliant that 48.0gr load should be doing nearly 2,000 fps. If it were my gun and I haven't put lead bullets through it I'd start with Alliants "Cowboy load" recommendation, 28.8gr of Reloader 7 for about 1,400 fps and see how the gun likes that load with those bullets and work up from there. You could always start with your normal load and everything may work out fine, but cleaning lead out of a barrel is a pain and I'd rather avoid it if possible.  | |
John We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces, singing; whiskey for my men, beer for my horses Molon Labe! | |
| Author | This thread is locked. |
| Welcome to the board. I'll agree with John as to trying the cowboy loading. Another powder you'll find very useful for the old government cartridge is AA 5744. It's not used for earth burning loads but it is very accurate with lead. | |
Creeker Joshua 1:9 | |
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| Diameter is all important in this. Your bullets have to be bigger than the groove diameter. If your bullets are .457 or .458, the chances of them working well in that Marlin are slim. The chances of getting good accuracy from plain base bullets at nearly 2000 fps are mighty slim, too. Gas checked can do that. RE-7 ain't a powder I use. Can't help you there. | |
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