Trapdoor Rifles

Hope everyone is doing well. I am recovering from surgery and doing research on how to load a hopeful accurate bullet. So this is the scenario: bullet is casted from a Buffalo Arms mold .460-500 with 20-1 lead mix, bullet has been pan lubbed. The case flash hole has been drilled to make it bigger, per Mr. Wolf's book and neck case enlarge for bullet to fit when seating.

Should a competition / micrometer seating die be used like a https://www.vickermandie.com/ die or Redding competition die https://www.buffaloarms.com/45-70-gover ... 55209.html ? I currently use a regular 45-70 lee seating die.

Next research will be on powder compression .
Best,
Frank D

Frank, Just use a seating die backed off enough to seat with .002 neck tension but NO crimp. Remember in Wolfs book he was duplicating military arsenal loads not necessarily the most accurate loads.
Once you reach a point you are comfortable with all you are doing then look for small details to improve on that. Glad your surgery went well now its time to shoot.
I understand Buffalo Arms is the sole distributor of Vickerman products now so if you do order one be sure to note bullet diameter desired and get sleeve .001 larger than bullet diameter or you will have problems with fit.
My group use Meachum neck size bushings and micrometer seating die but he is now retired.Rreport back and let us know how thing are progressing.

Tom thank for the great response and I learned about neck sizing a fired case. I will now add this step to my reloading process. learning every day!!! I just had two vertebrates removed, two bone grafts inserted and titanium plates added to my spine on my neck will be some time before I get back shooting. I am looking at the neck sizer https://www.buffaloarms.com/45-70-45-90 ... 81209.html

Tom I just received an email from Lyman that their https://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman-pro ... crimp-dies 45-70 pro series micrometer in 45-70 works for 45-90 and the seating die will work with a lead cast bullet sized at .460. I may purchase this die, any thoughts? Thank you Frank D.