I am new to the 45-70 and just got a Marlin 1895 Cowboy. Looking forward to shooting and reloading for this rifle. It has a 26in, Ballard cut rifling, 1-20 twist barrel. I know that this is geared towards heavy cast bullets.

What is a good cast bullet to start with? One friend told me about Barrys hard cast, but I wanted some more input before I get started.

Any help would be appreciated.

I've gotten good service from CastPerformance, which would probably be immediately available. The bullet I've used is the 420 grain LBT GC, .459".

My preference is Beartooth Bullets, specifically the Piledriver Jr, .460", but you'll have to wait on that one for a couple of months, that company always has a wait time, but it's a good product.

I've run these bullets from 1635 to 1800 fps in my Guide gun, but in reality, the higher velocities are not needed for bullet performance on-game, but I've tried them faster for trajectory reasons. My shoulder says "No need".

Those two bullets will kill anything around here at 1300 fps.

Thanks, Just got off the phone with the folks at Beartooth and ordered some of the Jr's. Guess ill be waiting a bit for them.

Good Deal.

The PJ jr is a durn good bullet.

I am using 405 grain homecast FP bullets from a LEE mold and wheel weights that have been water quenched in both my Marlin 1895 and my H&R Buffalo Classic with very good results using Trail Boss to RL-7 and IMR4198. The 45-70 was designed slow, and it shoots good slow.

I was looking at H322, RL7 and 4198. Looks like im on the right track. Time to get dies, powder and primers. cant wait to get shooting!

I'll comment on my experience.

H322 and H4198. Both are damned accurate.

I've not used RL7, but H322 and H4198 has been bery good to me.

If dudes like The Shootist like RL7, I'd give him a listen.

.

I would start with a cast bullet in the 405 to 430 grain range at a velocity of 1300 to 1500 FPS. You do not need velocity in the 45-70...it just a waste of powder and an increase in pain (unless you are on some EGO trip).

I use Unique, 2400, and Blue Dot with Oregon Trail's Lasercast 350 and 405 gr. cast bullets. Good for shooting steel out to 800 yards (the limit of my experience), some friends shoot long range with the 45-70 but I have not tried that....yet.

.

I am not into nose bleed recoil! The velocities you said are what I am shooting for. I am looking for accuracy and killing hogs mostly within 100yds. Ive heard that a big cast bullet doesn't let them run too far.

A 480 grain flat nosed bullet at 1242 fps will shoot through and through both shoulders of a 2200 pound bison bull at 100 yards from a 45-70. DRT. Been there, done that, as well as quite a bit more in both Africa and North America.

You have gotten good advice here--there is no need to drive these bullets over 1300 fps. My bullet of choice is a Lyman 457121PH which has seven grease grooves and keeps most of the bullet inside the case. It cycles through my Marlin Cowboy slick as a whistle. The only problem is that you have to cast them yourself. A real good option is a 502 grain flat nosed bullet from Powder Inc. I have seen it work on elk and hogs, and it is a hammer. Over the years, 37 grains of 3031 has been a good load, giving about 1300 fps with these bullets. An equivalent charge of RL7 works well also. You can reach Powder Inc at (479) 705-0005.

Bullet weight, a good meplat, and inertia are your friends. You don't want or need 1500fps unless you are into self inflicted pain and want a recoil headache. A 45-70 with these loads is a LOT more rifle than people suspect, and gives penetration you will not believe.

.

Sharpsguy is right on with his comments. I don't like the heavy cast bullets, 500 grain and up, in the Marlins where overall length is restricted. Those long bullets have to be seated deeper to cycle thru the lever action. Not an issue with single shot rifles as in Sharps.