New to me, Crossfire Trail, .45-60. Bullet mold recommendations.

[QueensHorseman]

A CT 1876 carbine in .45-60 came up for sale locally and now resides in my house.  It is in great condition and I really like it.  I had been debating getting the NWMP version in .45-75 but I am very happy with this rifle and deal.

I plan to primarily shoot black powder and need to buy a mold.  An original mold came with the rifle which is neat, but a new one would serve me better in the long run.  I have searched this forum and various other places and see people using everything from 300 to 405 bullets.  I was leaning towards contacting Tom at Accurate Molds to order a bullet approximately of 300 grains, with lube grooves designed to carry sufficient lube for BP, and a decent flat point for hunting.  I see no reason this same bullet couldn't perform well in my Browning 86 SRC.  I can get Old E powder locally and find it clean burning and powerful.  The combination should work well on deer for sure.

I welcome any bullet recommendations you may have.  Whether a modification to a potential order from Accurate or a mold by Lyman, etc.

The sight designs are not great for my older eyes and I have read previous modifications that some of you have tried.  That will be a work in progress for me once I get a chance to shoot it more.

Thanks for a great forum.

[mtmarfield]

    Greetings!

   The original mould offered for that cartridge was the Ideal #456191, and I believe that Lyman
still offers this as he #457191. These are very common, and I see them on eBay regularly. I don't
believe that lube capacity will be an issue with your carbine. Keep us posted!

                 M.T.Marfield

[Blackpowder Burn]

FWIW, I shoot the 46-405G bullet from Accurate Molds in my 45-70.  I'm very happy with it.

[doketx]

I shoot the 457191 ( I think).  It's 292 grains, and I shoot it out of a Uberti 1876 Winchester replica and have really good luck with it.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Tom at Accurate Molds has made me several molds like you mentioned that carry additional lube.  I have asked him to retain the original nose design, but open the lube grooves and add a "hidden" crimp groove to help the bullet stay put if I use smokeless loads.  He's done a great job and I've been pleased with all of them.  The resulting loaded round looks very much like an original loaded round, but works better for my uses.

My latest is for the .45-75, and it's working well so far (http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-345LC-D.png).  I think your idea of having him do the same type of thing for the .45-60 is an excellent one.

CC Griff

[larryo1]

For what it is worth.  I do not shoot a 45-60 but rather a 45-75.  I use either smokeless or black as to whatever the situation warrants.  The bullet I use is a "Hoch" custom that weighs in at about 350 grains more or less.  The alloy that I use is 16:1 which was the recommendation taken off an original box of factory ammo.  I make my own alloy using 16 pounds of lead and 1 pound of tin.  My rifle is like an old woman in that she is fussy in what she gets fed and she likes that alloy the best.  The black powder that I use is Swiss 1½ which,in my opinion, shoot clean and does the job.  The smokeless that I use is 2400.  I use 22 grains and a kapok filler.  There are some folks who think that I am nuts to use a filler but it works for me and has had since 1960 when I started to use it.  Now I imagine that there may not be all that good infor to use for a 45-60 but I think that some of it might help. Just remember my statement about fuzzy old women.  All rifles have their own feelings about loads and if you play with your 45-60, you will find that sooner or later you will find that ONE load that it likes the best.

[Irascible]

If your interested in a 300 grainer, I have found the Buffalo Arms Company's 45-300 is perfect for the 1876. It is a modified 457191 design. The modifications include a properly located crimp groove in place of the top lube groove (important if you intend to shoot smokeless) and the 2 lower grooves have been widened so they hold as much as the 457191 did in its 3 skinny grooves.

[Jubal Starbuck]

     I shooot  the Lyman #457191 292 grain bullet lubed  with SPG over black powder with good results.  I only shoot black powder in this rifle as its an old Winchester and I don't want to over work it,  This bullet is the only one I have tried  and it does all I ask of it. 

   Regards,

    Jubal Starbuck