Dialing in a C Sharps 1885 45-70 BPCR

[Snocat]

Snocat, what diameter are those noses? I'm surprised that a 20:1 nose would engrave that hard, unless it was 0.450". But then the only bullets I've ever tried to recover were PP bullets so maybe they are the same for me.

In my CSA 1885 I've tried a 0.460" Brooks Creedmoor with a 0.449" nose and then the same bullet ( well actually a touch heavier ) but with a 0.450" nose. The 0.450" nose leaded the barrel, but the 0.449" didn't ever show any lead.

I'm also surprised that the 16:1 bullets were heavier ( unless I misunderstood your post? ). Generally a 16:1 bullet should be a few grains lighter than a 20:1, as long as you are using pure lead and pure tin.

Chris.

The nose measurement .444 and the recovered ones are .446
I'm also curious about 16 to 1 and the 50/50 WW pure lead running heavier than 20 to 1.
Looks like 5 grs more for 560 brooks and 3grs more than the 530 PJ . Maybe I got the old batch wrong ... I'm usually pretty precise, I weigh lead with a 100 lb scale thats very accurate and use a triple beam to add tin to the batch. But I've messed much simpler things up before . Lol