Paper Patching - Sizing question 45/70

[Hargrave]

Howdy ....

This may have been discussed in another thread and I would welcome a link if so .....

I want to start getting into casting and paper patching a 405 grain 45/70 bullet.

Specific questions ......

Can I do a decent job with a single stage press using the Lyman pass through sizing dies?

• What mould size should I start with?
  What sizing die do I use right after casting?
  what sizing die do I use for after the paper is attached to press the paper in place with a wax?
  Do I resize the brass or seat and crimp?
  Any benefit or need for a card wad between the paper patched bullet and the powder?

Rifles used for this load ..... Shiloh 45/70 and and Sharps Carbine in 45/70. Looking for a load that will shoot well in both. Using 2F OLE black powder with a large pistol primer.

Thanks from Houston, Jacob

[Ranch 13]

You will want to think about a mould that throws a slick at .444 diameter. 1.1 inches long and wrap that bullet in 9 lb paper.
Size your brass and see if you can seat a wrapped bullet in that case. If the bullet won't seat you may want to look into a case expander from Buffalo Arms at .453 diameter.
A .060 wad, then a grease cookie and a thin wad , then the bullet.
Don't crimp a patched bullet after it's seated.

[Hargrave]

Ranch ...

Thank you ... I am assuming that I will need to size the post paper wrapped bullet in a 453 sizer?

I only see 500 gr bullets in that slick sided design .... know any in the 405 to 485 range anywere?

Thanks Jacob

[Ranch 13]

I never size the bullets.
I haven't looked for a while , but Buffalo Arms did at one time have a 400 gr bullet. Accurate moulds most likely does. I use nose pour adjustable moulds from Brooks, also have one from KAL.
One other thing is to stock up on 16-1 alloy or 20-1.

[Leverluver]

Hey Don, long time no talk.  Congrats on retirement.

Looking to getting mine shot more now that I am also retired.  So you are saying that 16 to 1 is still soft enough to bump?

[Ranch 13]

MIKE!, I figured them pesky Crow raised your hair
Yup 16 -1 about right, the ODG's used stuff as hard as 11-1.

[Leverluver]

 Retired but are you still at the ranch.  If so and you see a yellow plane with invasion stripes DON'T SHOOT     I figured out that the ultralight didn't go fast enough to kill me so I got a bigger one.  Hopefully with time we can get together one of these days this summer and you can teach me a few things.  You know I am too old to learn them at a normal rate     

[Ranch 13]

Yup we're still right here. Set that plane down on the county road and come on in for a cup of coffee.

[Leverluver]

Done deal 

[Ranch 13]

Should be able to taxi right into the south drive way and into the stack yard.