Author Topic: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)  (Read 968 times)

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Offline necchi

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Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« on: March 24, 2010, 01:51:00 PM »
 I'd like to use my new gun in some non-serious BPRC matches. It's the standard handi with a 22" barrel. There's a shoot/vous' near by in June that uses a 36" gong at 400 for max range (X-sticks) and closer with paper targets. The standard open sights will need some modification or replacement, I can handle that.
 My question is, does anyone have experiance with, or a favored CAST bullet that works well in these barrels?  ???
I'm sure there's another topic here somewhare? Got a link?

I really hate to ask a, "what's the best bullet?" kind of question, ::) but the spread is HUGE,, 292 > 535grn! (ouch!) :o
 
 The delema is there are 14 molds available from TOW alone. I'm currently reading several of the BPRC sites and doing some study of loading process for/with black powder cartridge, just thought I'd ask the collective knowledge specific to Handi's and this barrel.
Any comments welcome,,John
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Offline OSOK

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2010, 02:23:35 PM »
First, the sight. I highly reccommend the Williams target sight (can't remember the abreviation, it's in the FAQ's) for anything past 100-150 yards. I haven't been able to go past 200 yards with mine up here in the hills...all the open area's have cows and are surrounded by houses.
I have been using the Black Dawg 450 grainers that I got from Midway and love them. I load them with 5744 and they are extremely accurate in my BC.
I have read on here before that the BC was designed for the 480 grain bullets (Postels I think), so you might try some of them.
I eventually want to shoot some 500 grain paper-patched bullets, but I have to save some more pennies before I can.
Les
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2010, 03:45:45 PM »
At the price of bullets, and the shipping of lead, you may be better off looking at the inexpensive Lee moulds. They pay themselves off real quick. Wheel weights with a dash of tin for castability work pretty well.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
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We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline necchi

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2010, 05:45:25 PM »
Thanks gcrank, that's kinda what I had in mind. Been casting RB fer a number of years now. Started with Lee's and moved to Lyman blocks and I have 5 molds for 3 different calibers, the boy and I shot 20# of lead last season. ;D

Lee makes 4 different weights for the 45-70
Lyman makes 9,,,
 ???
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2010, 04:11:27 AM »
I think I remember reading that the 405 (carbine bullet & load) was what really made the 45-70 famous as it was the default cartridge, ie, fit & worked in everything. Maybe just another gun-writer's notion, but everyone I know who shoots it, likes it. For me, and my needs, I'd probably go with the 350ish, but I have a Parker Hale Volunteer for the big 'airships'.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline bajabill

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2010, 05:37:14 AM »
I am fortunate to have a reloading shop nearby that carries 405gr lubed lead cast bullets (by Shooters   Suter's Choice), about $14/100.  Cheapest option I can hope for and they shoot well with 777 synthetic.

I looked around online and couldn't find them anywhere else, or any option close to that unit price.

Went by and bought some more, and noticed that I dont read too well, the name is Suter's Choice.

Offline Old Fart

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2010, 05:48:46 AM »
I had pretty goog luck with the 340 gr lee mold.
I've got a 500 gr lee I'm gonna load up soon also.
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Offline PawPaw

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2010, 06:09:35 AM »
My Handi likes the 405 Lee FP bullet, but I use smokeless in that cartridge.

In BP, I use a 500 grain bullet (the Lee 459-500-3R) over Hodgdon 777.  Be sure to put a wax cookie between the bullet and powder.  For some reason, we've found that BP likes that wax.

You can look at an article my buddy Junior wrote where he talks about black powder and the Handi Rifle.

Offline necchi

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2010, 12:37:42 PM »
Thanks PawPaw, I found that like I think from stimpy awhile back, I like his cookie recipe. Ole' Junior is getting his best groups with the 450grn,,,:P
 To shoot with these guys at that Rendezvous,,I hafta take the rubber butt plate off! But I guess unless yer in a shoot-off for a tie breaker it's only about 15 shot's,,
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Offline mechanic

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Re: Cast Boolits in 45-70 ?'s (BPRC)
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2010, 12:47:09 PM »
I'm using a Lee 405 hollow base mold with good success.  I pan lube and shoot unsized.  They drop about .459.  I've shot these to 899 yds. using the "walk it in method", and they will hold respectable groups of about 10 - 12".  Most of the time beyond 300 I use the "wag" method, with my home made ladder sight.  I'm gradually developing standard loads which allow me to mark the sight for distance.

Ben
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