Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Cast Bullet selection for Marlin 45-70?

I would like to get a Marlin 1895 SBL for hunting big game in the thickets. I use hard cast bullets in my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt and would figure on doing the same in the Marlin.

In the Marlin what Brinell hardness does one typically need to prevent leading with 1800- 2100 fps velocities? Do you need to have a gas checked bullet? Many are bevel based and I am pretty sure that I would not want that. I think most likely I would use a 400 to 425 grain bullet but may consider a 350 grain bullet. I like a large diameter meplat for putting the smack down on the critter, so preferably in the 0.32" or larger range for meplat.

I have done some searching but so far have not found any decent 350 grain bullets that would meet my desires. Any advice from you all? Thanks, Rufous.

First off, I am not being a smart but with the answer I am offering here.I was asking the same questions not long ago and got what I found out later to be the best answer I could have ask for.
If you will go to this link http://www.beartoothbullets.com/orderinfo/index.htm and order the Beartooth technical guide book by Marshall Stanton, it will be the best spent 14.00 you ever spent.Read it and you will be answering other peoples questions like an expert.One tidbit of info, hard bullets cause leading.Bullets that fit your barrel along with the right load and lube prevents leading.Barrel lapping will get you there.Just get the technical guide and enjoy.You may want to check out Cast Boolits and LASC web sites.
Thanks

lastborn has good advice.

Actually, the softer the alloy, the higher propensity to leading. Hard cast is always better at higher speeds. Softer cast is better at more moderate and lower speeds.

I own and have read Marshall Stanton's fine technical guide. I know all that stuff. I shoot his bullets pretty much exclusively in my 45 Colt but he does not offer a 350 grain WLNGC for the 45-70 with a large meplat which is what I think I really want if I get a 45-70. I will check out the websites. Thanks.

Lbt makes what you want.

Do they supply bullets or only moulds? I have never made my own cast bullets.

Well, your original post states that you are looking for a hardcast bullet in the weight range of 405 to 425 grains. Beartooth has both of those wieghts covered and the "Pile Driver Jr" would probably fill the specific nitch you are looking for.

Oh, and I know you didn't mention jacketed bullets, but if you have a chance, try the Remington 405 gr JSP.....you might be amazed at teh groups you could get with it. My 1895G Guide Gun is sub MOA with these projectiles in my handloads!!!!

I wonder why folks want to use hardcast slugs so much. What you are doing in essence is shooting a slug that is no different than the fully jacketed slugs that 458 Lott and Win use for dangerous game. Hardcast slugs penetrate like an armor pierceing slug. That means you need to hit their vitals exactly to get a fast kill. I cast my own at 20:1. I size them and lube them for MY bore and only kick them at lazy speeds. 1400 tops. I actually have been loading BP rounds and they shoot just dandy and I have sights that allow some pretty long shooting if I have the inclination. 20:1 EXPANDS like a dream and penetrates deeply. Lyman bullet #457643 and 457193 are my 2 slugs and they do what I need them to do. Once I got the sights regulated at 100 yards, I wouldn't be backwards about a 250 yard shot. When I use smokeless, 3 powders work nicely with these slugs. IMR3031,Reloader 7, and Accurate 5744/ For BP I have been using GOEX Cartridge grade. Give this path a try. You might be very pleasnatly surprised.

I'm with ET . . . I like the Lyman 457193 for my 1895 CB, but I cast them 30:1 or 40:1. Cast them as soft as you can and not subject your barrel to leading - might take some experimenting. The higher the lead content of the bullet, the less the bullet will cost you (tin is a bunch more expensive than lead and I'm a cheap SOB). No need to try to push the bullet too fast either, the slower it travels through the critter, the more time it has to do very significant damage. At least those are my thoughts on the subject, and worth every penny you paid for them . . .

Thanks for that rather costly advice, Otter.

Personally I do not believe hardness or softness has anything to do with leading. Any hardness if not properly sized is going to lead. A properly sized bullet-regardless of hardness has much less propensity for leading. I can shoot about any lead up to 1800 fps without a GC with no leading. Anything over 1600-1800 I use a GC.

The biggest mistake that causes leading is when shooters mix cast and jacketed in the same bullet.

All this is assuming the use of a properly applied lube. Tom.