I agree on the lube groove, was wondering if I really wanted to fill those up all the way? Might be good for BP ? but as a plinker in the 45-70 I think you could get away with less lube and a little more weight 40-50 grs. for around a 200 gr. bullet isn’t much of a stretch. Something like that I would shoot the heck out of in my 45-70 lever gun.
What do you think Al? How about a collar button about 200-225 grain adding the weight in the middle to make lube groove not as deep using less lube. On the plus side it would strengthen up the mid section a little.