Old Lyman 358311

[oscarflytyer]

I don't think any bullet strike does whatever it hits one bit of good at all.

^^^Agree! First (and so far, only) mold I have cast/loaded for my 45-70 is the Lee 459-405-HB. I started with it as I have a Marlin and wanted a fat bullet for the MG bbl. Loaded it to simple Trapdoor specs (1375 fps). Shot great, so carried it to the woods. Shot a deer and flipped it and picked it right up where it was standing. My buddy later shot one, and it ran for about 30 yds. The diff was I shoot for the shoulder, and use the bone fragments to my advantage. Plus, I don't want to have to "find" a deer. Buddy shot mid chest and why it ran. But not far.

 

[Rockydoc]

I don't have a 45-70, and I am not likely to. The biggest deer in my neighbor hood goes about 120-130 pounds. We can't hunt the numerous black bears here.

My standard for a deer rifle is one that can shoot them in the NECK. They don't go any where but down when shot in the neck.
I have not yet developed a cast load that I am confident will do that. I am working on it though.

I have shot deer in the neck up to 200 yards away with 3 different rifles and jacketed bullets, 264 Win Mag P.O. Ackley custom, 270 Win H&R 300, and 260 Rem Kimber 84M Classic.

I am reading with interest the thread on developing a load for his 260 Rem by Herb in PA. I am going to let him do all the work then I will take up from there.