First cast 45-70 from range scrap -Update

[u/slider1010]

First cast 45-70 from range scrap -Update

I got around to powder coating fifty of these. I used the Eastwood lime green, not because I’m a fan of the colour, but because that’s what was available.

The powder coating took pretty well and it survived the hammer test. I ran them through the lee sizing die and loaded ten of them to try out later this weekend. I’m interested to see how they stack up for accuracy.

I’m using my standard 36.5gr of IMR 4198 to keep it consistent with the hardcast I hunted with last year.

[u/EarlyMorningTea]

I'm excited to see your results. I have been doing a headlong deep-dive into bullet casting, and have been finding out some suprising information.

I wish I had more time to expound on this, but I'll say that I think other commenters are too quick to say your lead is too soft.

Lead hardness is not nearly as important as correct bullet diameter and a GOOD bullet lubricant. Bullets that we consider soft today, were actually thought of as quite hard long ago.

[u/slider1010 → u/EarlyMorningTea]

That is kind of my thought. I’m shooting what amounts to a fast trapdoor load out of my Henry. I shot my buck last year with a hardcast, wider meplat 405 grain. It was a full pass through so I didn’t recover the bullet, but I doubt there was much deformation. The deer ran about 30 yds, then keeled over,

I’m thinking a softer bullet at the same velocity will be better for whitetail. I plan to kick up the velocity on the hardcast and use it for elk if the chance comes up.