Finally found the 45-70 mold/bullet!

[GoodOlBoy]

I have been looking for a long time now for a specific setup for reloads on my 45-70. I have a good mold that casts 405gr +/- flatpoint solid base bullets. And for the time being it works well. Hell it works VERY well. But I have noticed my rifle LIKES round nose bullets better than flat points or spire point (hornady leverevolution) bullets. While I was at it I have been fascinated for a VERY long time with hollow base bullets because I am shooting Trailboss powder and will someday be shooting black or black sub, and I would like to get the bump up for accuracy.

ANYWAY The first link is the bullet sold as the bullet by a company called Buffalo Arms (never even heard of them until tonight)

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=157349&CAT=4135

The second link is the mold that makes said bullet (I am more interested in the mold than buying precast bullets)

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Hollow_Base_Bullet_Mold_it-779333.aspx?TERM=JIM458405HB

The problem is #1 cost of the mold. $179 for a bullet mold seems out there to me. #2 Never heard of this company until tonight. #3 I am still out of work. So see #1.

Does anybody know of a comparable mold, throwing at around 405 grains? Does anybody know anything about this company?

Thanks

Richard

[GoodOlBoy]

whoops for those who don't know I shoot a H&R single shot 45-70..... FYI

Richard

[Jack]

Lyman makes a 385 round nose. #457124
They make some heavier ones, too.

[skeet]

Buffalo Arms is a very good company. They make a lot of black powder type stuff. Many many bullets Their stuff is usually of high quality

[skeet]

As far as the cost of good moulds..that really isn't all that high for the mould. I have sold some of my H&G moulds lately. ones I don't use. None have sold for less than 200 dollars. I bought a custom mould not too long ago for the 44 spec/mag and it cost 120 bucks..Since the guy is so back ordered and his prices have risen someone offered me twice what I paid. BTW.. was on the Lyman site the other day. Counted the moulds they list for sale..it is down to 74 rifle and pistol moulds..from more than 300..and no special orders. I get 60 and more for good used 2 cavity moulds by Lyman..more for the discontinued ones. Just bought 2 at the gun show..one was a single 454-190(45 Colt) the other was a 2 cavity 452 190..same bullet smaller size. single was in handles for 20 bucks..the 2nd was also in handles and paid 40 bucks..which is a very good price now. I got a round ball from a friend..says 451 RB but casts at 4525..loads ok in the 45 auto and the Colt..2 balls in the Colt. They really spread out after a hundred yards. LOL

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think after reading everything you guys posted I will save up my pennies and go for the Buffalo Arms mold since it DOES have everything i really want. May take me a bit, but hey if it is worth it, then it is worth it.

Richard

[GoodOlBoy]

I looked at the lyman Jack, but i want to stick with 400+ grains since I am getting such good results with it already, and everything I have tried lighter has had grouping issues. Thanks for posting about it though.

BTW maybe it is just my H&R but I do NOT get good results out of the hornady lever evolution 45-70s.

Richard

[skeet]

Probably not the rifle GOB..that is a good bullet but it is probably gonna want a different powder..There are quite a few that work a bit better than that cowboy powder.. If you have some other powders try the Hornady recommendations

[GoodOlBoy]

Actually I was referring to factory loaded ammo skeet. For whatever reason the factory load lever evolutions just don't shoot as well in my H&R (minute of deer by far, don't get me wrong). The Remington factory loaded 300 grain HPs shot well in it, but by far the Hunting Shack Montana 405 grain rnfp lead cowboy rounds shot best for factory loads I bought. However I was given three rounds of 405 grain round nose lead a buddy had left over (loaded with bp sub) and the three rounds were touching (could have just been a good day for me I dunno.)

Richard