Looking at getting some cast bullets for a 45-70 and was wondering what everyone's using? is one brand better than the other and are bullets with a gas check the better way to go than standard cast bullets?
I use either Dardas cast 350's or Oregon Trail Laser Cast 405's, neither are gas checked. My rifle has never leaded but I don't shoot cast over 1600fps or so. If you order from Laser cast's page shipping is included with the price.
Depends on what you want to do with your 45-70 and what rifle you have. If you have a leaver gun then 405 gr flat nose bullets are about as heavy as you can go. If it is a single shot like the Sharps the heaver the better for long range shooting. I cast my own for my Sharps. Lyman 405 and RCBS 500 BPS shoot best for me. I mainly shoot black powder but Accurate 5744 smokeless does a fine job with the 405 gr. for me. A 405 gr bullet at 1400 fps will shoot through any North American animal from any direction out to 200 yards.
I get mine from Montana Bullet Works, I load a 350 Seaco, .459, hard cast semi round noes ( with a small flat point). I get mine with gas checks, and the bullets are perfectly cast. Dave does a beautiful job.
I cast my own. 8) One bullet that I like a lot is the Lyman #457122, a 330 gr. plain base hollow point. It was good for 1.5" in my 1895 Marlin and 1.25" in my Ruger #1. It also was a royal PITA to get good casts from that mold. Interesting history behind that mold. Arthur C. Gould gets the credit for desingning that mold but it was one of several he had commisioned the Ideal company to make. Turned out that one as his favorite. Mr. Gould's other claim to fame was he was the first President of the NRA. I have his books, "MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES" and "MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS". The line drawings of the firearms of the period are extremely well done. In Modern Rifles he decribes exactly how and who did the designs. I dunno it any of the commercial bullet casters make that bullet or not. If any do, give them a try. I size mine to .459".
Paul B.
