45-70 contender guys- have ? 4 U

[supertodd]

I need to get a sizer for cast 45-70 bullets, just wondering what diameter you guys are using. I will be shooting Ranch dog 350's w/ g.c.

[offhand35]

To find the true answer to that question, you need to slug that bore.   Measure the groove diameter  [the largest diameter of the slug] with a micrometer or a GOOD caliper.  Your ideal cast bullet size is from that measurement up to .002" over.  Be aware that the cartridge with the  larger diameter may or may not chamber properly.   I never did slug my T/C 45-70 bbl. Now it is gone.

[Hopalong7]

If you're shootin' a TC factory barrel a .458"-.459" sized bullet should work REAL good, although I heartly agree with the first answer.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Lone Star]

I have to respectfully disagree with the above, at least in part.  The dimension that really matters is the throat diameter, not the bore size.  This is well known among cast bullet shooters and is noted in many CB loading manuals.

Relating directly to experience with the .45-70, I have a Petersoli rolling block with a beautuful octagonal barrel chambered to .45-70.  Nice tight chamber, flawless lapped bore - but the later measures just .454"!  The throat is .4575".  I size the RCBS 400FNGC to .457" and the rifle shoots moa with dual aperture sights.  It even won a few CBA matches when I shot it competitively.



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[Hopalong7]

Lonestar, I'm in total agreement with the "throat" theory, however, my TC barrels(4 each) and my Handy rifle barrel all have little to no throat.  TC seemed to go to one extreme or the other with their throats....ie...every .357Max I've had or seen was VERY long throated and 45-70's are just the opposite.  Anyway, my factory TC 45-70 barrels(well, two of them anyway...I've not tried cast in my braked barrels yet) shoot cast .458-.459 bullets every bit as accurate as any jacketed bullet I've tried.
GOOD SHOOOTIN', Walt 

[Camp Cook]

I agree my 22" Custom Shop T/C Contender 45-70 chamber has no throat and I use .459" sized cast bullets.

Thinking of getting it throated though it is supposed to give better accuracy.

[DEACONLLB]

Manny years ago when I reloaded we cast some 45 acp bullets and sized them to If memory serves me was 455. and they shot well but a friend cast some 47-70 bullets and with no 45-70 sizer we tried the 45 acp sizer to see how they would shoot, they tumbled all the way to the target you could hear them all the way to the target so as has been said make sure to check out the true size for your barrel.
Deaconllob