.45 long colt and 45-70...

semi_problomatic · January 10, 2010, 10:52 PM

Maybe a stupid question, and I think I already know the answer but I have a .45 long colt and my dad has a 45-70... can I make him some light target loads using the same mold? I already know that the .45 Long Colt is .452 and the 45-70 is .458...... I guess thats my answer already but it never hurts to ask.

BurkGlocker · January 10, 2010, 11:20 PM

deleted

salvadore · January 11, 2010, 09:55 AM

I know a guy who paper patches his .45 colt bullets to shoot in his 45/70. Which mold are you using?

semi_problomatic · January 11, 2010, 03:57 PM

Well thats why I'm asking, I haven't gotten one yet or even started casting my own bullets. I wanted to see if it'd be practical for me or not. I don't even know any good molds.

longranger · January 14, 2010, 08:06 AM

Bullets for the 45-70 are most likely to not stabilize in the 45 Colt as the lightest 45-70 bullets are in the 405gr range.Load data would be non existent,I resize 540gr.458 dia. lead bullets to .448 so resizing to fit in a .452 bore is not the issue if using cast lead bullets. the weight of those bullets will not be safe or pleasant in any hand gun.Barrel twist are 1:18 for the 45-70 and 1:16 for the 45 Colt. Just not enough barrel to stabilize such a big projectile.The 405 gr. is the lightest cast bullet for the 45-70 @.458 dia that bullet resized to .451 will still be in 398-403gr. or heavier. No fun there in a hand gun or load info.Buy a mold for each gun and have fun.
Saeco,RCBS are the best off the shelf molds, then Lyman and Lee in that order.There are custom mold makers in particular for the 45-70,Paul Jones,Steve Brooks,Buffalo Arms and many others.Google is your friend

**Unclenick** · January 14, 2010, 10:13 AM

Actually, the lightest commercial .45-70 bullets are usually 300 grains. A lot of folks have found that either 350 grain or 405 grain are most accurate in their guns for round nose shapes. As you get to broad flat shapes, heavier bullets sometimes do better. In point of fact, however you can buy molds all the way down to what are called collar button bullets that weigh only 150 grains. These were originally for gallery shooting with squib loads. NEI mold #332C is an example.

For the .452" bullets, paper patching is the only way to shoot them in the bigger bore. Shooting undersize lead bullets in a bore is a recipe for disaster both in terms of accuracy and metal fouling in the bore. If you are not familiar with making paper patched bullets, then read this primer. If you can, follow it up by reading a copy of Paul Matthews's book, The Paper Patch. Paper patching is very slow work, though. I expect you will find purchasing a separate inexpensive Lee mold for the .45-70 is a good bit easier.

January 10, 2010, 10:52 PM	#1
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	.45 long colt and 45-70... Maybe a stupid question, and I think I already know the answer but I have a .45 long colt and my dad has a 45-70... can I make him some light target loads using the same mold? I already know that the .45 Long Colt is .452 and the 45-70 is .458...... I guess thats my answer already but it never hurts to ask. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello...

January 11, 2010, 03:57 PM	#4
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	Well thats why I'm asking, I haven't gotten one yet or even started casting my own bullets. I wanted to see if it'd be practical for me or not. I don't even know any good molds. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello...

January 14, 2010, 08:06 AM	#5
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Bullets for the 45-70 are most likely to not stabilize in the 45 Colt as the lightest 45-70 bullets are in the 405gr range.Load data would be non existent,I resize 540gr.458 dia. lead bullets to .448 so resizing to fit in a .452 bore is not the issue if using cast lead bullets. the weight of those bullets will not be safe or pleasant in any hand gun.Barrel twist are 1:18 for the 45-70 and 1:16 for the 45 Colt. Just not enough barrel to stabilize such a big projectile.The 405 gr. is the lightest cast bullet for the 45-70 @.458 dia that bullet resized to .451 will still be in 398-403gr. or heavier. No fun there in a hand gun or load info.Buy a mold for each gun and have fun. Saeco,RCBS are the best off the shelf molds, then Lyman and Lee in that order.There are custom mold makers in particular for the 45-70,Paul Jones,Steve Brooks,Buffalo Arms and many others.Google is your friend Last edited by longranger; January 14, 2010 at 08:18 AM.

January 14, 2010, 10:13 AM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Actually, the lightest commercial .45-70 bullets are usually 300 grains. A lot of folks have found that either 350 grain or 405 grain are most accurate in their guns for round nose shapes. As you get to broad flat shapes, heavier bullets sometimes do better. In point of fact, however you can buy molds all the way down to what are called collar button bullets that weigh only 150 grains. These were originally for gallery shooting with squib loads. NEI mold #332C is an example. For the .452" bullets, paper patching is the only way to shoot them in the bigger bore. Shooting undersize lead bullets in a bore is a recipe for disaster both in terms of accuracy and metal fouling in the bore. If you are not familiar with making paper patched bullets, then read this primer. If you can, follow it up by reading a copy of Paul Matthews's book, The Paper Patch. Paper patching is very slow work, though. I expect you will find purchasing a separate inexpensive Lee mold for the .45-70 is a good bit easier. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 10, 2010, 11:20 PM	#2
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	deleted

January 11, 2010, 09:55 AM	#3
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I know a guy who paper patches his .45 colt bullets to shoot in his 45/70. Which mold are you using?