[puke]

I am going to get a bullet mold for casting 45-70.
I am going to go with LEE since that's all I can afford,...and it's more of a "just in case"
thing. I've got a lot of ammo stocked up,...but you never know.

With the tube feed,. I see some of the lee dies are not exactly 'flat" nosed.
Does anybody have any experience with them,...? What would you recommend.?

I am guessing I'd want a 405 or a 500 +, just to be covered.

 

[BSkerj]

I have found the best mold for my 95 is the Lyman 457193. Cycles great, nice large meplate, seems like it is just made for the Marlin. There is a used one for sale over at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=114082 for only 40.00. I don't think it will last long. In fact I am half tempted to buy it for a spare . Lee 6 cav. handles fit it perfect.

 

[Gunjunkie]

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/

Click his banner or look in the Lodge under Casting for RDog's molds..

 

[moofy07]

I cast both Ranch Dog molds, 350gr and 425gr. I mainly shoot the 325gr. It is easy to cast and it is a very accurate bullet.

 

[keyston44]

I use the Lee 457-405-F. It has a flat nose and drops the bullets at 459 with wheel weights. I'm pushing this bullet at 1750fps without any leading using 2 coats of LLA/JPW for lube.

I know others are recommending Ranch Dog molds, and they should because they are the best, but at $60 for the mold plus $15 for handles, then another $22 for the push through sizer and $37 for gas checks. That is alot of money just to get started. you can get the mold I mentioned for $22 with handles and you can shoot them as dropped.

Key

 

[aussie rich]

Hey Moofy


Sorry if this is a thread hijack, but your Ranch Dog molds, are they plain base or gas check, and can you shoot the gas check ones without gas checks as accurately ?

That would make a more versatile mold, no GC for low cost plinking, and GC for the hi speed stuff.

Also did you need an B709a to get them into the country?


regards

Rich

 

[moofy07]

Hiya AR,
As for the Ranch Dog Molds, they are a gang mold with 6 cavities, check the site because I have seen Michael can have them made with plain base and gas check in the same mold (3 plain base and 3 gc base). As for shooting them you can go with either as the choice is in the mold casting. I myself have never shot a gc bullet without the gas check. I guess if the base is made properly it should be ok, but I am sure someone will tell us one way or the other.
To purchase gas checks there is a site called All Things Shooting they are pretty good with Hornady prices and are in NSW.
The B709a is not required as it is a casting mold not a projectile.
So just contact Michael and order your mold, he is very approachable and returns emails very quickly. he will answer all your questions.
Hope this helps, any other questions just pm me and I will help you if I can.
Graeme.

 

[aussie rich]

Thanks Graeme, good info.

Rich

 

[puke]

I use the Lee 457-405-F. It has a flat nose and drops the bullets at 459 with wheel weights. I'm pushing this bullet at 1750fps without any leading using 2 coats of LLA/JPW for lube.

I know others are recommending Ranch Dog molds, and they should because they are the best, but at $60 for the mold plus $15 for handles, then another $22 for the push through sizer and $37 for gas checks. That is alot of money just to get started. you can get the mold I mentioned for $22 with handles and you can shoot them as dropped.

Key

So, you aren't using a gas check mold? I had kind of made the assumption that gas checks would be required to eliminate leading,..but what do I know. I'm still "green' with the 45-70.
I don't have a 45-70 sizer...but was just going to get the lee sizer and go from there.

 

[moofy07]

Yes, I shoot with the gas checks. They are only really needed when you shoot over, (now this depends on a lot of variables such as lead hardness, barrel cleanliness, bullet size etc) about 1600fps. Well that's what I use as a yardstick for myself. there are others with coating that rate the bullet speed much higher. Some people run them to a higher speed without a gas check, some run lower. I am sure someone will tell us some more.

 

[keyston44]

So, you aren't using a gas check mold? I had kind of made the assumption that gas checks would be required to eliminate leading,..but what do I know. I'm still "green' with the 45-70.
I don't have a 45-70 sizer...but was just going to get the lee sizer and go from there.

The Lee 457-405-F is a plain base bullet, not a gas check bullet. That is the way I shoot them. I also don't size them, they come out at 459 and pretty round. I have never had a leading problem with this bullet. It fits my guns bore at .002 over so I haven't had a need for the sizer. I have pushed them to 1900fps without leading but I get better groups at 1750-1800fps.

The Lee push through sizer is .457 and that is too small for a Marlin. Ranch Dog has Lee make .460 push through sizers for him that you can buy from him.

Like the others have said, the Ranch Dog mold is the best and with the gas checks you can push them as fast as any jacketed bullet. But, your original post you said "Lee was all you could afford". The mold I suggested is the cheapest way to go.

Key

 

[jimone]

I have found the Lee 459-405 HB very accurate when tumble lubed as cast, I cast the Ranch Dog bullets as well with good results.

 

[City Slicker]

+1 What Key said.

 

[keyston44]

I forgot to mention, I do water quench my bullets from the mold.
Key

 

[Levergunz]

I use both the LEE 459-340 and the 459-405 sized .459 and lubed with whatever is in the sizer(usually Lyman black powder gold) and have shot them up to 1800 fps with no leading.The 405 seems a bit more accurate.They are both plain base and I shoot them without a wad and cast from wheelweight.

 

[moofy07]

Hi Aussie Rich,
As for a Lee sizer Ranch Dog have one that is .460 and is a beauty, just perfect for Marlin chambers.

 

[aussie rich]

Thanks again M07 I went to the Ranch Dog site and I am still drooling, but even with the current exchange rate I might have to wait till later in the year, currently waiting on a B709a for a ''soo-lay'' sight.... 8)

Anyway back on topic, I have a Lee 405g hollow base, which with air cooled wheel weights throws a .460, and I shoot that as cast no sizing, tumbled lubed 5-1 Lee Alox and white spirits, with good results, although admittedly I don't push the velocity. A trick I learned from another forum member is because that mold is a bit more complicated than a standard mold, you need good heat in both the lead and the mold to fill out the base properly. The only bad part about this mold is it is a single cavity, those 2 and 6 cavity molds make a lot of bullets real quick!

Just another thought, last years 50m open sight centre-fire postal shoot winner was Rowdy and he used this bullet. Though if i remember he slightly modified the mold, hope he might jump in here and clarify.

Regards

Rich

 

[moofy07]

Yeah,
That hollow base Lee asI have heard is quite accurate. One bullet at a time may be slow but you have control over the mold. The six cavity molds take a little longer to learn but when you have the knack, they seem to multiply on the bench. All good stuff.

 

[hornetguy]

woo-hoo! My first post... greetings, one and all... I'm happy to be here...

Since you specified the Lee molds, I won't go into the RD part of the discussion... the only Lee I have for the 45-70 is the 405gr hollow base one. So far, it is the most accurate of any of the ones I've cast for it.
I'm not pushing it very fast, around 1300 IIRC, with 15gr of Unique, but it's very pleasant to shoot, without feeling "wimpy". I usually get close to one-hole groups at 50yds, and about 1.5-2" at 100yds. I do have a 4x scope on mine, in deference to my "old" eyes.
I'm lovin it. The only possible drawback to it is that it is just a single cavity mold. Still, I have no problem casting enough to keep me shooting. I pan lube 'em with Javelina alox/beeswax, and get no leading at all.