Over the years I have done more reloading for the 45/70 than any other cartridge I have owned I have three sets of dies for it . ANY WAY with all the guns and all the bullets cast ,( lee , Lyman, RCBS and Ranch dog Molds) I have sizer's to cover everything from 457 to 460. Each rifle is its own text. I have had rifles that shot SOME Bullets right from the mold and others that had to be sized specific.
Mix can also factor the size of the bullet. More tin added to the mix can "Fill out" the mold more and make a larger bullet, Etc. SO I always start with the mix, then slug the barrel, then mike the bullet from the mold then USUALLY experiment with one or two of my sizer dies . I use the Lee sizer method almost exclusively now Lee will custom make the size for you if you order direct from them . And( with some modification ) I use LLA and tumble almost all of the time also .

Note that Lee has temporarily suspended custom services in order to catch up with their regular production demand. They estimate it will not be until Spring of 2013 before they can start taking custom orders again.

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Nick

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"First contemplation of the problems of Interior Ballistics gives the impression that they should yield rather easily to relatively simple methods of analysis. Further study shows the subject to be of almost unbelievable complexity." Homer Powley

Thanx Nick I had not ordered fro their custom shop for a while , but was planning to order a few sizers after the first of the year . Good heads up .

I use that same bullet cast from WW, sized to .458 in my lubrasizer using white label 50/50 lube. Use them in a Japchester 1886 Browning and a BC. The powders I use are RL 7 and 2400, I hit stuff with them all the time...leading is not an issue. Keep trying, you'll get it to work..

LEE molds are not always exactly the diameter that their catalogue says they are. My 459/408 HB measures 465, but it is great in my 1895 Marlin and my NEF Handy Rifle, but its much too big for my Super Sixteen Contender barrel. My 457/340 measures .455 but its plenty accurate in my Contender.