Author Topic: Hollow base 45-70 mold  (Read 1451 times)

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Offline mechanic

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Hollow base 45-70 mold
« on: March 01, 2009, 12:24:14 PM »
Lee makes a hollow base 45-70 mold that throws a .459 405 gr. bullet.  Has anyone tried one of these?  I'm thinking I like the idea of a hollow base mold, but have never had experience with one.
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Offline johnjohn

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2009, 04:35:25 PM »
I have one and use it for a trapdoor Springfield and a handi. I am pleased with it but mine come out weighing about 385-395 gr. Might be just the alloy i'm using. (mostly wheelweights)

Offline mechanic

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2009, 04:39:27 PM »
I appreciate the reply Johnjohn.  I've never used anything but flat base or gas check, and this seems like a good idea.
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Offline BBF

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2009, 02:31:30 AM »
OK, I'll bite. What would be the advantage of that style bullet. I can see it in a muzzzle loader for a Minnie bullet but in a metallic cartridge ???
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2009, 08:00:57 AM »
  I think you will have to watch pressures with the HB bullet. If you push it to hard the base MAY blow out on you. If you use an alloy softer than WW, 20/1 or even 30/1, the weight should be a bit closer to 405 grains. How deep is the hollow? The IDEA behind a hollow base is to allow the base to expand into the rifling better. This is thought to give better accuracy in SOME  barrels. Old buffalo guns had bores from .456 to .465".

Offline mechanic

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2009, 11:45:11 AM »
  I think you will have to watch pressures with the HB bullet. If you push it to hard the base MAY blow out on you. If you use an alloy softer than WW, 20/1 or even 30/1, the weight should be a bit closer to 405 grains. How deep is the hollow? The IDEA behind a hollow base is to allow the base to expand into the rifling better. This is thought to give better accuracy in SOME  barrels. Old buffalo guns had bores from .456 to .465".

This is why I posted.  I have not seen the mold or bullet other than in an advertisement.  My BC needs a .459 bullet based on my measurements, and while catalog shopping I came across this.  I have a 330gr. hollow point mold, want a bigger bullet, (405gr or 500gr.)

I don't load these lead bullets up that hot.  With the 330gr. I'm loading 55gr. Varget, which is a very mild load in the BC.  I don't have a chrony, but it doesn't have the recoil the Leverlutions do.  I'm thinking about 1650 -1700fps?, based on my load data.

In any event, thanks for the replies.

Ben
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: Hollow base 45-70 mold
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2009, 02:18:47 PM »
  Maybe a post on the cast boolit forum OR the cast bullet association will get you more specific help.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/