1895G + 405gr Cast

HeathSexton · Jul 16, 2011

I got a deal on 200 pieces of 405gr WFN cast bullets to try in my 45/70. I read around on MarlinOwners and I kept seeing a charge of 25.0grs of Alliant 2400 with no filler for the 405's. I just happen to have 2lbs of 2400 so I loaded up 5 rounds and headed out the door. I was resting off my knee and I did not take a grip on the forearm for the 1st shot hit high. I gripped the forearm on the next 4 and they went into 1.1" @ 50yds, not bad for sitting down rested on my knee.

Starline Brass
CCI200
405 WFN Cast
Alliant 2400 - 25.0grs

I have 5 loads now from this rifle that hit within 1" of each other at 50yds, everything from this load going maybe 1300-1400fps to a 350gr load going 1922fps. The 350gr load is running around 1" at 100yds, not bad for a big ol'lever gun and a 2.5x scope.

DrMike · Jul 16, 2011

That amount of weight with that frontal area at those velocities will drop about anything that is hit with it. Good job, Heath.

JD338 · Jul 16, 2011

Heath

Sounds like a great load! Ya just gotta love the 45-70. :wink:

JD338

Elkman · Jul 16, 2011

Great shooting !

I am using 350's in mine but have only shot it a few times, been to busy at working. Will have lots of time next month

FOTIS · Jul 17, 2011

That would penetrate into next month.

HeathSexton · Jul 17, 2011

It's easy on the shoulder too. I am always amazed at the accuracy of my 336 and 1895G, just old lever guns.

Fotis, from reading around people are saying penetration like 10+ jugs, I have seen said from 10-17. That's a whole bunch. Probably be a good idea to fine some bone and destroy it with this load.

onesonek · Jul 17, 2011

JD338":3jbwbmc5 said:
Heath

Sounds like a great load! Ya just gotta love the 45-70. :wink:

JD338

Indeed!
The cast 405 and 45-70 together , is like fresh warm homemade bread with real butter.

SJB358 · Jul 18, 2011

HeathSexton":10j15hn3 said:
I got a deal on 200 pieces of 405gr WFN cast bullets to try in my 45/70. I read around on MarlinOwners and I kept seeing a charge of 25.0grs of Alliant 2400 with no filler for the 405's. I just happen to have 2lbs of 2400 so I loaded up 5 rounds and headed out the door. I was resting off my knee and I did not take a grip on the forearm for the 1st shot hit high. I gripped the forearm on the next 4 and they went into 1.1" @ 50yds, not bad for sitting down rested on my knee.

Starline Brass
CCI200
405 WFN Cast
Alliant 2400 - 25.0grs

I have 5 loads now from this rifle that hit within 1" of each other at 50yds, everything from this load going maybe 1300-1400fps to a 350gr load going 1922fps. The 350gr load is running around 1" at 100yds, not bad for a big ol'lever gun and a 2.5x scope.

Heath, I have got to try that load. I am looking for something my son can shoot and the 350's at 2100+ are not it!

I have wanted to try the 400's and 2400 for quite awhile. Wonder if that same load would work for the 425gr BT PDJ's as well. Great shooting. I wanna give this a whirl. Scotty

HeathSexton · Jul 18, 2011

Scotty, I think it will work with the 425's, I will look around on MarlinOwners and see.

Here is some incentive:

Starline Brass
CCI200
405gr Cast
Alliant 2400- 25.0grs

55yds - front bag - no rear rest

1895G + Leupold 2.5x

5 rounds

JD338 · Jul 18, 2011

Heath,

It don't get any better than that. Nicely done buddy.

JD338

DrMike · Jul 18, 2011

Heath,

I can't imagine many animals absorbing one of those rounds, much less a couple. I should think they will penetrate until tomorrow.

onesonek · Jul 18, 2011

Scotty,,, If you want to play some. I have some 405 and 425 cast up.

425's are in the middle

405's right

With Heath is using 25 gr with the 405, I would think 23 be about right on the 425.
I have never played around much with faster powders, so I can't say for sure.
I run all weights around 15-1600 fps and call it good,,,as long as they are resonably accurate that is. But those fast powder low charge weight would be great for youngsters.

HeathSexton · Jul 18, 2011

Your bullets are pretty!

Those are some awesome looking projectiles.

Thanks for the comments guys, pretty pleased so far.

Dr.Mike, I do agree, no critters around here are going to hold one of the 405's.

onesonek · Jul 18, 2011

Thanks Heath,,
Those in the top pic are from Alum. BRP mold. I really didn't need it, but feel damned fortunate to have it now. BRP was made an offer to sell all their equip., and then go on the clock for that Corp., so BRP molds are no longer made. Bruce said he hated the decission, but economic times made sense of it. The others are from the Brass AM mold. I just tumble lube all, with 45-45-10, which has worked well for me, even beyond the velocities stated earlier. The 405 gr. from the AM, is what I shoot most, but have the heavier weights if I felt the need or want. The 350 from the BRP would likely suffice, for most uses around here however.

SJB358 · Jul 18, 2011

Heath that looks excellent! Man now your talking. Think I'm sold on giving this a whirl.

Dave I'm still looking to try casting. Need your help on picking out a couple molds but man you cast some very nice bullets buddy.

Again, great shooting Heath! Scotty

HeathSexton · Jul 18, 2011

Sounds like it was a good decision to pick up that mold, they sure look great.

Scotty, I would sure give it a try. Another load that seems to be mild and very accurate is a 300gr jacketed HP over 28-30grs of Alliant 2400. That may be a route to take also.

I loaded up my regular load of 59.0grs H4895 + 350 Hornady FP = 1912fps and fired 3 rounds. I did not allow any cool down, just fired 3 quickly at 55yds, right at 1". Not as good as usual, but still not bad.

Looks like I'm set!

SJB358 · Jul 18, 2011

I might give that load a whirl with the 300gr BSTs for my boy. Probably make a great deer load for him as well. Thanks Heath. Can't wait to try them. Scotty

onesonek · Jul 18, 2011

Give me a call Scotty, when it works for you.

SJB358 · Jul 18, 2011

onesonek":9r86jigf said:
Give me a call Scotty, when it works for you.

I will give you a bell tomorrow. Looking forward to talking with you some more. Learned a ton last time I was on the phone with you. Please PM me your number. Switched phones since we last spoke. Scotty

onesonek · Jul 19, 2011

PM sent Scotty.
I'm still learning a lot about cast bullets myself. I feel the time I have spent reading over on the CastBoolits site, along with asking ?'s in pm's of a certain few there,,,has taken years off my learning curve. I doubt I would have figured out some issues on my own.
While those in the pics look pretty good,,,one techniqued learned at CB called swirlcasting for big heavy bullets. That technique took my weight variance, from 4 grains (405 grainers), down to .5-.6 grains. The weight variation hasn't been such a big problem with the speeds I'm pushing in the .45-70. But when pushing faster, such as in the .375 JDJ/444, consistency in all aspects becomes more critical.
I picked up that 45-45-10 lube recipe there as well, which isn't complicated to make, nor is it expensive to make. And in my mind, one of the easiest fastest lubing methods. With it, one doesn't also have the expense of a lubrisizer. Just a simple Lee push through sizer works.
And that lube with a good fit, will run 2000 fps or better if needed. And yet works well with lower velocity and pressures just the same. It also don't seem to be overly sensitive to cold/hot barrel changes, along with ambient temp extremes, and or humidity