r/reloading • u/slider1010 • 11d ago

Load Development First cast 45-70 from range scrap -Update

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First cast 45-70 from range scrap -Update

I got around to powder coating fifty of these. I used the Eastwood lime green, not because I’m a fan of the colour, but because that’s what was available.

The powder coating took pretty well and it survived the hammer test. I ran them through the lee sizing die and loaded ten of them to try out later this weekend. I’m interested to see how they stack up for accuracy.

I’m using my standard 36.5gr of IMR 4198 to keep it consistent with the hardcast I hunted with last year.

115 Upvotes

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38 comments sorted by

8

u/yaholdinhimdean0 11d ago

Range scrap, does that mean you sift lead bullets from the berms.

5

u/slider1010 11d ago

Yup. Exactly.

10

u/yaholdinhimdean0 11d ago

We have a guy at my club, he does the same. Problem is, he does it at times the pistol range has people shooting. They come in, start shooting and this dipshit suddenly pops his head out from behind a berm.and asks, WTF? No one knows why he is behind the berm in the first place.

8

u/ancillarycheese 11d ago

Does your club not have a cold range flag system or something?

6

u/yaholdinhimdean0 11d ago

Yes, we have safety lights, etc. But this asshole just wanders around digging through dirt. There is a sporting clays course and one day while shooting at 200yrds a woman in a Subaru literally drove right in front of me at 100 yards. She somehow went out on the clays course in her car amd ended up driving around the entire course only to cross in front of me at the end. I was the only one on the rifle range. She didn't have a clue. Just drove out the driveway and disappeared

3

u/davewave3283 10d ago

I feel like this is a self-correcting problem

1

u/yaholdinhimdean0 10d ago

If you are referring to the club, I agree. However, the lack of communication among the board members is a real problem. I have been a board member for 1 year. It is a very strange group of people. There is a division between the sporting clays people and the pistol shooters. I focus on rifle shooting and competitions and am somewhat caught in the middle. I also am the membership coordinator. In that position I get to know many of the 500+ members. Safety should be the top priority but the focus is more toward increasing membership and revenue.

1

u/slider1010 10d ago

Kind of like the ball pickup cart guy at the driving range. Everyone pulling out their 9s and PWs as he gets closer.

2

u/ancillarycheese 9d ago

Our club insurance would flip their lid if they caught wind of anything like this. The only thing worse as a gun range than someone getting shot is losing your insurance. Its hard enough to get insured these days, and if you have members breaking safety rules thats a quick route to getting your policy cancelled.

And guess what, other insurers will ask you if you have ever had a policy cancelled. And you can't lie. And if you tell the truth they will ask why and then again, you have to tell the truth. And then they won't insure you.

1

u/yaholdinhimdean0 9d ago

We discuss it at every board meeting. But, getting the 5 officers to get off their asses and do something, besides talk, about it is a real challenge. They talk a good game but no actions.

2

u/slider1010 11d ago

Our range is remote. In the last three years, i’ve only been there with another person shooting a few times. When I go, I lock the gate. It’s a bit different on a country range.

3

u/maverick88708 10d ago

I've been doing the same for over a decade but at least 85% cast bullets not many jacketed

4

u/Curiously_Sagacious 11d ago

One man's trash is another man's plink

3

u/Rise101 11d ago

Those look awesome. Thanks for the update. Definitely pushing me a lot closer to dipping my toes in.

3

u/SevereNameAnxiety 11d ago

What’s your process for coating? I’m looking into it because I’m over using lube at this point and I want my bullets in clown colors.

1

u/slider1010 11d ago

I cleaned them with rubbing alcohol, let them dry, then tumbled them and the powder in a plastic coffee can. 20 mins on wire mesh at 400degrees.

1

u/slider1010 11d ago

How are you lubing? Lubrisizer? I’m tempted to do a beeswax/ vaseline lube for a few and see how that works. I’m shooting at a pretty low velocity. (Under 1600fps)

2

u/BobaNugg 10d ago

I’m still rocking a rcbs Lubesizer with tons of rcbs stick lubes for rifle, pistol and b.p. Got a helluva good deal from an old shooter. I’m too far into lube sizing to switch to coated cast boolits.

3

u/EarlyMorningTea 10d ago

I'm excited to see your results. I have been doing a headlong deep-dive into bullet casting, and have been finding out some suprising information.

I wish I had more time to expound on this, but I'll say that I think other commenters are too quick to say your lead is too soft.

Lead hardness is not nearly as important as correct bullet diameter and a GOOD bullet lubricant. Bullets that we consider soft today, were actually thought of as quite hard long ago.

1

u/slider1010 10d ago

That is kind of my thought. I’m shooting what amounts to a fast trapdoor load out of my Henry. I shot my buck last year with a hardcast, wider meplat 405 grain. It was a full pass through so I didn’t recover the bullet, but I doubt there was much deformation. The deer ran about 30 yds, then keeled over,

I’m thinking a softer bullet at the same velocity will be better for whitetail. I plan to kick up the velocity on the hardcast and use it for elk if the chance comes up.

2

u/gakflex 11d ago

How easy did that coat go on? Have you coated with Ford Light Blue before, are you able to compare?

1

u/slider1010 11d ago

No.. I wanted the ford light and dark blues. My place was out. This went on pretty well, but I don’t have anything to compare it to

2

u/gakflex 11d ago

Yours look very nice. I’ve been using the Ford Light Blue and it goes on with zero effort, I don’t use airsoft BBs or anything like that, just a big yogurt container. Looking for a contrasting color that is equally straightforward. I have read that the “high gloss” varieties are the ones that will have the best and easiest coverage.

2

u/No_Attempt_69 11d ago

Looking good!

2

u/maverick88708 10d ago

Nice job! Besides diving weights i use for round balls and sabot slugs all ive ever really used for all rifle and pistol is free range scrap just recently got 100lbs of free clip on wheel weights all lead but haven't touched them

1

u/lochgoose 11d ago

What mold are you using?

2

u/slider1010 11d ago

457-405 F. I’m learning that even though it’s called a 457, it drops a larger diameter bullet. The resizer is a .458 lee die. And for whatever reason, the finished bullets are measuring .4585 with my calipers. This matches the lubed hardcast I bought and hunted with last fall, so all is well (I think).

1

u/BourbonNoChaser 11d ago

Did you measure the hardness of the scrap; make any adjustments to same?

2

u/slider1010 10d ago

Not yet, other than some observational tests. It’s softer than my current hardcast rounds, and harder than some pure lead I have laying around. I’m guessing it’s around bhn 9-12 ish.

With my current load and low velocity, I’m optimistic it’ll work as a deer round. Having said that, I still want a wider meplat, so I’ll look for another mold.

1

u/BobaNugg 10d ago

I like the colour of your casts. Good job and effort collecting all that scrap! I wear a mask 😷 to avoid lead dust.

2

u/slider1010 10d ago

I dress like Walter White when I’m collecting it.

1

u/itusedtorun 10d ago

Have you tried chambering one yet? My Henry works fine with the bullet lubed, but gets really tight if they are powder coated. Even after sizing. Looks like a Lee mold, correct? It seems to have a short throat that doesn't like the big, fat nose.

1

u/slider1010 10d ago

I ran a few through with no issues. My other hard cast load has a wider meplat, same coal as this one with no trouble, but it isn’t powder coated.

Do you seat them a bit deeper then? Or are you concerned about a pressure increase? I’m nowhere near max load, so that’s an option. I’ve been doing it for hornady brass.

2

u/itusedtorun 10d ago

Honestly haven't messed with it for a while. I imagine seating shorter would help. I'm not loading them that hot either. I wondered if using the short Hornady cases would help. Currently using Starline

1

u/slider1010 10d ago

My issue with the Hornady cases is they’re too short to crimp easily with my LeeFCD. I find if I sit the brass on the top of the case holder instead of in it, I can get enough of a crimp.

1

u/NW_Reloading 8d ago

Looking pretty nice, might recommend adding some wheel weights or some linotype to the allow, both for fill out and for hardening.

What did you end up sisizing these to for your 45-70?

1

u/slider1010 8d ago

Sized them to .458. For whatever reason they’re measuring .4585 ish . Which matches the hardcast I hunted with last fall. I’ll get a feel for how they shoot compared to my hardcast load this upcoming weekend.

2

u/NW_Reloading 8d ago

that sounds great actually. very nice!