Cast Performance Heat Treated 420 as rifle slug?

[Cosmoline]

I picked up a box of the Cast Performance heat treated LBT solid cast bullets, because frankly that's about all they had in stock. I believe these are made for the .45 Colt and Casull, but I'm hoping to load them reasonably hot in the .450 Marlin. I can't find any load info for a 420 grain bullet though. I'm looking to use RL 7 or IMR 4198. Has anyone worked up loads along these lines or tried these heat treated cast bullets out of a rifle?

[TedH]

If you have bullets that were intended for a 45 Colt or a Casull, they will be sized .452" or so. The 45 caliber rifles such as the 450 Marlin need a .458" bullet. Using the undersized bullets in your rifle would likely result in very poor accuracy and terrible leading. That's assuming you could even get a case to hold them firmly.

[Cosmoline]

These are .458" so they must be for a rifle, but I can't find any rifle loads for this brand. Or any rifle loads for a 420 grain hard cast bullet for that matter. 405 grains seems to be much more common.

[RKrodle]

Try these, they go up to 415 grs and they're mild. You can also call Mike at Cast Performance. I believe his phone number is on the box, if not PM me and I'll get it for you.


.45-70 Handloads That Do Not Exceed 21,000 CUP
Load Image
Warning! Notes: A Marlin Model 1895 rifle with a 22-inch barrel used to test fire all loads. Starline cases and Winchester Large Rifle primers used throughout. Maximum case length: 2.105 inches; trim-to length: 2.095 inches; maximum cartridge length: 2.550 inches. Temperature during testing was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. (Handloader Issue #248 - August, 2007)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN IMR IMR-4198 33.0 1,558
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN IMR IMR-4198 35.0 1,620
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN IMR IMR-4198 37.0 1,689
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Accurate AAC-2015BR 40.0 1,476
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Accurate AAC-2015BR 43.0 1,616
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Accurate AAC-2015BR 46.0 1,748
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Winchester W-748 52.0 1,560
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Winchester W-748 55.0 1,651
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Winchester W-748 58.0 1,763
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Hodgdon Varget 45.0 1,519
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Hodgdon Varget 48.0 1,602
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Hodgdon Varget 51.0 1,710
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522
415 RCBS cast 45-405-FN Hodgdon H-4198 31.0 1,323
Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 2.522

[Cosmoline]

That's within spitting distance! Thanks!!

[Grizz]

These are .458" so they must be for a rifle, but I can't find any rifle loads for this brand. Or any rifle loads for a 420 grain hard cast bullet for that matter. 405 grains seems to be much more common.

Cast Performance can provide load data for their bullets. You could contact them.

Grizz