[IronKnees]

Does anyone know where I can find loading data for a 500 grain cast bullet for .45-70, preferably for the lever action category or less? I know this is a lot of bullet for the Marlin, and, I have my own load that I more or less came up with, but my Lyman manual does not include the 500 gr. bullet in any of the three .45-70 categories... fixin' to go after HogZilla... Thanx
:sniper:

 

[MePlat]

Accurate Arms has data for the 500 gr Hornady Soft Point on their web site. Start low and work up. I use 550 gr cast GC bullets in mine and am using H322. I am using over 35 gr in mine for 1450 to 1470 fps. Start at 34 and work up. In a 22 inch gun you should reach 1600 or over maybe 1650. An 181/2 inch over 1500 maybe 1550. I use CCI #34 primers and Remington or Starline cases. Federal cases are good if you have them. The main thing in ANY load is working up to acceptable levels and trying to match expansion ring expansion to a known load. Get a box of Buffalo Bore and look at the cases to see what loads in the lower 40000 range looks like and let that be forever imbedded in the file cabinet of your brain's Information Technology department. No big secret in load developement with any weight bullet. Study, read, drop back, and work up. Have a Happy Christmas.

 

[Graybeard]

Do you have a specific velocity window you want to shoot for? Do you have a preference in powder or leaving that up to me? Got some that might do what you want once you answer the above.

GB

 

[John Y Cannuck]

There may be a reason for it not being listed. I understand that the length of the bullet may tie up the Marlin action (I've not tried it).
It will work through the action of my 1886 Winchester, but it won't chamber, unless I seat the bullets deep.
I have not used the 500 for anything yet, and have not worked out any loads.

 

[MePlat]

Laser Cast sells a 500 gr bullet that will work in a Marlin. Garretts 540 Hammerheads will work in a Marlin but won't work in a new 1886 Winchester or the Encores. Anything with a short throat will sometimes give trouble with some bullets. My 550gr is and old boreride NEI GC bullet that I flat nose in a lathe to .360" Meplat. It has a crimp groove but in the wrong place for the Marlin but that is not a problem. I turn the case in to the nose of the bullet and have had no trouble with it. It is loaded to 2.510" the same as the Garrett. In fact it looks a lot like the Garrett 540 factory load. As I said earlier in a GG the velocity of a 500 should be in the middle 1500's with a safe load in the Marlin and over 1600 in a 22 incher. Garrett loads his to 35000 cup and are safe for the Marlin.

 

[IronKnees]

Do you have a specific velocity window you want to shoot for? Do you have a preference in powder or leaving that up to me? Got some that might do what you want once you answer the above.

GB

GB, I should have been more specific in that I am aware of the length of bullet issue with the 500 grain (which is why the 500 grain cast is not normally listed for the Marlin) working the load up etc... And, the load that I have developed seats the bullet deeply enough that it feeds properly etc... I was just curious if anybody knows of published data for a 500 grain cast bullet in either the Marlin or Sharps actions... All of the data that I have for cast bullets stops short of 500 grains...
In answer to your question, I prefer to remain below 1400 fps, and normally use either IMR 3031, Unique, or 2400 for my various cast bullet loads for my 1895SS, but again, I have a load, just curious if there is any published data floating around ... Thanks Dave[/color]