Hornady .452, 300gr...for 45/70 and w sabot for a .50?

[VaRedneck]

A while back...maybe a coupla years...a friend of mine was trying to advise me on a way to save money by changing my ML ammo of choice. I have been using 295gr powerbelts...@ $16+ per 20.

The idea was to use a .45 cal bullet in a .50cal sabot for my Muzzle Loader. I understood the idea just fine...but didn't wanna display my ignorance by asking which exactly he was talking about. The fear of making a mistake (w/o asking) with my face behind the breech, enough for me to pass and just continue to eat existing costs.

Flash forward to today...

A lil while back I saw a beauty of a rifle on-line...I searched around a bit and discovered the name of that weapon was exactly that which had been talked about back when. A 45/70...this one specifically is a Marlin 1895 SBL. After a bit of research it seems ammo for this rifle is expensive...if you can find it. But reloading cuts that cost considerably.

So...here's the question

Will the Hornady 45cal, 300gr bullet be compatible in a 45/70 and a .50cal Muzzle Loader when used with a Harvester Crush Rib sabot?

The rifle ain't cheap...lowest I found was $811...but it's so damned pretty...I want it. And the idea of casting my own bullets....the same bullet for my ML and my rifle appeal to me.

[skeet]

Which Hornady bullet? If you meant the 452 bullet in the 45-70. In a word ..No. If you mean the #4500 300 gr HP by Hornady. it is made for the 45-70. I have a box or so right over the computer desk. They however will not work in a muzzleloader without fitting them to the correct sabot. I use the 250 gr 452 bullet in my Savage muzzleloader with the correct sabots. It is good to 250 yds in the right hands. Not necessarily mine. Those powerbelts are what size? I also use the 250 gr 452 bullet in the 45 Colt. They would rattle down a 45-70 bore.which measures approx. .458

[VaRedneck]

Hornady® .45 Caliber .452" Diameter Pistol Bullets....(lK-213192 cabelas)...300gr

Harvester Crush Rib .50 Caliber Sabot...(lK-216130 cabelas), .451-.452 bullet dia

Ah...okay...the 45/70 measures .458...thank you...will see what I can find a bit different then.

I shoot 295gr .50 powerbelts...last coupla years I've been using 3 pellets/90gr of pyrodex.

[VaRedneck]

Mighta found an answer to the problem....

http://randywakeman.com/ballltd95.htm

http://mmpsabots.com/

Check this out...50 per bag

http://mmpsabots.com/store/orange-hph-sabot/

[VaRedneck]

http://mmpsabots.com/recommended-bullet-list/

I really am more curious than ever now to try out a .458 Hornady HP 4500 w/ a .50cal Orange HPH sabot.

Next real question would be....powder?....wanna go the Blackhorn 209 route...not sure though with this latest proposed set-up.

[Jack]

If the idea is to cut costs, why not cast your own ML projectiles, and dump the sabots altogether?
Lee makes a number of ML molds. Like a 360 grain Minie ball in 50 caliber. They also make a REAL bullet mold, as well as roundball molds.
Lee molds can be had for less than 30$.

[VaRedneck]

That would be too simple....and wouldn't convince my mrs that by casting mini balls for my ML that I would save money when buying that Marlin 1895 SBL.

;)

jk

Another plus for shooting a smaller dia bullet w/ a sabot in my ML would be the increased range.

I'll prolly do the casting ML rounds first in any event.