Out of stock
SKU: LY2640193
UPC: 011516201935
MPN: 2640193
The Lyman Rifle Bullet Mould in .45-70 Caliber is a single-cavity mould that casts the original 405-grain flat nose bullet that built the .45-70 Government cartridge. Anyone shooting a Trapdoor Springfield, lever gun, or rolling block will recognize this profile, and casters who want period-correct hunting ammunition for the .45-70 turn to it for exactly that reason. The bullet drops at .458-.459 diameter, putting it in the right range for most .45-70 barrels. This is one of the molds for 45 70 work that sticks to a proven design rather than reinventing it.
Lyman machines this block from solid leaded-steel and finishes it to a smooth, super-fine surface so cavities fill cleanly and release without drama. The steel is heat treated, the alignment pins are hardened, and the sprue plate is solid steel ground flat to give consistent bullet bases shot after shot. The mould is single cavity by necessity, since a 405-grain .45-70 bullet is too large to pair in a standard double-cavity block. Because of that, it uses double-cavity handles, which are sold separately, such as the Lyman double-cavity handles. Per Lyman, bullet weights are nominal and will vary depending on the alloy mix you pour, so expect minor swings around the 405-grain figure with harder or softer blends.
This mould earns its keep for hunters and black powder cartridge shooters loading their own .45-70 ammunition, where casting in volume keeps cost down and lets you tune alloy and weight to the load. After casting, plan to size and lubricate the bullets to your bore, and add a gas check if your load runs faster pressures. We stock matching .45 caliber gas checks and the other Lyman .45 rifle moulds alongside the lead pots, dippers, and sizing gear in our bullet casting lineup. Pair it with a steady melt source and you have everything needed to keep a .45-70 fed.
No. The block ships without handles. Because of the bullet size it is a single-cavity mould that uses double-cavity handles, which are sold separately. The Lyman double-cavity handles are a direct fit and let you run the block as intended.
It casts a 405-grain flat nose bullet at roughly .458-.459 diameter, matching the original .45-70 design. Lyman notes that bullet weight is nominal and will vary slightly with the alloy you use, so harder or softer blends shift the final weight a few grains.
The 405-grain .45-70 bullet is large enough that two cavities will not fit in a standard block. Lyman uses a single cavity here out of necessity. The trade-off is slower casting volume, but the same heat-treated steel and ground sprue plate found on the double-cavity moulds.
Most casters size and lubricate cast bullets to match the bore for best accuracy. If your load runs higher velocity or pressure, a .45 caliber gas check helps protect the base from leading. Both sizing gear and gas checks are available in our bullet casting section.
WARNING ⚠️ You must be 18 or older to purchase shotgun or rifle ammunition and 21 or older to purchase handgun ammunition and firearms. Please reference our requirements for ammunition orders to "restricted" states HERE. Always make sure you use the correct ammunition for your firearms. Ammo cannot be shipped to a PO Box. Please reference state & local laws before making a firearm or ammunition purchase.
