45-70 Marlin mold

[Bangbangman]

I can get .458 gators, so that problem is solved. Can they be seated and crimped with standard kit or do they need specialist equipment?

I've been looking for a sizer that could take as-cast .463 bullets down to .462 or .461 but can't find any.

My bore slugged at 0.4545" three inches from the muzzle and 0.4595" on today's chamber impression:



However, it shoots .462 bullets much better than .458

Any suggestions where I could find such a sizer? Or should I go for as-cast .461 and try and find a .460 sizer, hoping the gun likes this diameter?

It's complicated, this business!

[mtngun]

Yes, cast bullets are complicated, that is for sure.

First off, do you have a lubrisizer, or will you be tumble lubing?

I believe that Buffalo Arms makes custom sizer dies for the RCBS/Lyman lubrisizer, however the one that examined lacked a tapered entrance.

There may be other people making lubrisizer dies, I don't know. "Buckshot" at Cast Boolits used to make them but I dunno if he is still in business. I sent Buckshot a PM, I will let you know if I hear from him.

[Bangbangman]

At the moment I have no casting or sizing equipment.

I'm trying to keep costs down so a new Lyman-RCBS lubrisizer might have to wait. However, I'm prepared to fork out on the things that really make a difference in the long term.

Not sure what my alternatives are, though, if I want to size to an uncommon diameter like .462

I haven't been able to shoot any bullets between .458 and .462 so it's quite possible that .460 would work, for e.g.

Thanks for making enquiries on my behalf, and for your quick and patient responses.

Ben

[mtngun]

Buckshot offering both RCBS/Lyman lubrisizer dies as well as push-thru dies.

[Bangbangman]

Thanks for that, I'll try and contact him on Castboolits. If he won't ship to UK or can't make what I need, .463 bullets might be a dead-end.

So if I go for an as-cast diameter of .462, these should shoot in my gun unsized, since that's exactly what I'm doing with my current bought cast bullets. I could then size them to .461/.460 later, if I found problems with concentric it's/roundness. Am I completely wrong about this or is it a reasonable work around if sizing dies are a problem?

I assume push-thru sizing and tumble lube will be my cheapest option for now.

Ben

[mtngun]

Yes, push-thru and tumble lube is the cheapest way to get started.

Most people shoot 0.460" or 0.461" in their Marlins.

IMHO you need to address the barrel's tight spots.

[Bangbangman]

Sounds... Involved! Does it mean lapping/fire-lapping?

How do I know my "tight spot" isn't due to my amateurish bore-casting? I guess I could repeat it, trying to hit the same spot as before.

[mtngun]

[Bangbangman]

I read your guide to making fire-lapping bullets.

What abrasive do you use and do you need to "go through the grits" from coarse to fine?

How do I know how many shots to fire?

I'm instinctively afraid of "grinding-out my throat and rifling!"

Is there any reason I can't get on with ordering a mold as already discussed?

I have PM'd Buckshot on Castboolits about .462 sizing die but no response yet.

Thanks for all your advice.

Ben

[mtngun]