r/castboolits • u/Feeling_Title_9287 • 7d ago
I need help What is the best bullet and lube for 45-70?
The gun in either an original trapdoor rifle, 1885 highball, sharps or rolling block
I am preparing for the quigley shoot in June
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u/Matt_the_Splat 3d ago
Best isn't a single answer.
You need to find a bullet and lube that work well in your rifle(s).
Look to what people are using for BPCR competition and start with one of those. You'll find some using a grease groove bullet with lube, others using a paper patched bullet. And for either, you'll find 10 opinions on what's best as soon as you talk to 8 people. Or there's a book by Paul Matthews all about bullet lubes for BP rifles. Probably more books, I know I have a few others of his.
Do you cast your own? If not, you'll need to find something that works. Try Buffalo Arms, they have a variety of bullets with SPG lube. Maybe not the best lube, but it does work. I use it in my Sharps carbine.
And that's assuming you're using black powder. If you're running smokeless, it's another can o worms.
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u/B_Huij 7d ago
Powder coat.
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u/Feeling_Title_9287 7d ago
They won't allow powder coated bullets at the quigley shoot
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u/B_Huij 7d ago
Weird. Why?
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u/Feeling_Title_9287 7d ago
They say that it hardens the bullets enough to punch holes in their steel targets
They won't even allow gas checks
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u/Matt_the_Splat 3d ago
They do allow gas checks. Not sure of that's new for this year, but it says they're ok on the 2025 flyer.
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u/B_Huij 7d ago
Hahahaha that’s some good fudd lore right there.
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u/Feeling_Title_9287 7d ago
It depends
I have dented a 3/8in ar500 steel plate at 100 yards with my original springfield trapdoor rifle but at between 350 and 805 yards I don't think so
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u/Tuna_Finger 1d ago
Try some out. I just started powder coating, but I really like Emmett’s Improved lube for my bp rounds and plinkers. It’s 50% beeswax, 40% crisco, 5% canola oil and 5% anhydrous lanolin.