45/70 350gr ACME FPD. lube or no?

[Grendel]

I'm going to try loading these for my Marlin lever gun. I have some IMR 3031 to use and I'll take the data for the 385gr, as actual 350gr data using that powder doesn't seem that popular.

BUT

Should I use a lubricant on the completed rounds? I've seen some mention of it on THR, and if so, why, what and where? If not, why not?

Thanks

[Wobbly]

First, in the absence of 350gr data, 385 data should be good. Close, but maybe not exact.

I'm not a 45-70 guy by a long shot (no pun intended), but all you can do is try it and see. The ACME bullets are heavily coated. If they need more help than that, then the barrel will tell the story. The IMR 3031 should burn very cool, so your leading (if any) should be toward the muzzle.

Just start with a clean barrel and see.

[Grendel]

First, in the absence of 350gr data, 385 data should be good. Close, but maybe not exact.

I'm not a 45-70 guy by a long shot (no pun intended), but all you can do is try it and see. The ACME bullets are heavily coated. If they need more help than that, then the barrel will tell the story. The IMR 3031 should burn very cool, so your leading (if any) should be toward the muzzle.

Just start with a clean barrel and see.

Thanks.

[skin]

 I'm not sure what you mean by completed rounds. If you mean just the bullet showing above the brass, it would serve no useful purpose. If you're talking about brass and all, the answer would be no. A lubed round would increase bolt thrust on a  weak (compared to a bolt action ) rifle. I load for a Marlin and a No.1. If I were going to coat the bullets, I would use the Lee coating for cast bullets (Alox).

IMR 3031 is a fine powder for cast bullets in the 45-70. I would load them for a velocity of 1700 fps for accuracy. Hope this helps.

[Mods verified Alox]

[Grendel]

I'm not sure what you mean by completed rounds. If you mean just the bullet showing above the brass, it would serve no useful purpose. If you're talking about brass and all, the answer would be no. A lubed round would increase bolt thrust on a  weak (compared to a bolt action ) rifle. I load for a marlin and a no.1. If I were going to coat the bullets, I would use the  lee coating for cast bullets (alox?). Imr 3031 is a fine powder for cast bullets in the 45-70. I would load them for a velocity of 1700 fps for accuracy. Hope this helps.

Thanks!

[Grendel]

Here's the answer, straight from the makers, ACME:

Me:

Hey, do I need additional lube on your 45/70 350gr bullets? Thanks
(What does FPD stand for? i get the flat point, but the D?)

Them:

No, you do not need to add additional lube to the bullet.  The D stands for Double lube groove.

[Wobbly]

OK, what that means is that ACME is buying their bullet molds from a mass manufacturer. The mfg is placing lube groves in the bullet in case you want to send the bullets through a Luber Sizer press. They, being the mfg, have no idea what final use is intended for the bullet; they only make molds.

So because ACME coated the bullet, the grooves need no additional lube. You just shoot them the in the condition they arrived.