Spent the Afternoon Plinking With My Old Winchester Leverguns.

c-fbmi

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Well the weather finally cleared up and the temp soared to +5 C today so I loaded up a 1/2 dozen old Wins and a couple new Wins (Mirokus) and headed out for the long 200 mtr trek to my range. I sighted in and plinked with 3 different 38-55s with some factory Win ammo, just to get rid of it, and 50 loads I made with Bullet Barn bullets.........the 2 rifles sighted right on the mark with the lead bullet loads but the SRC shoots 'em about 6-8" high.......need a taller front blade or just remember to hold low.........I had a bunch of mixed up 44 RM loads I wanted to get rid off so my boy obliged with this chore and managed to get through the 120 or so unknown and weird loads through my Miroku 92 SRC, he seemed to not mind this onerous chore to much.......Tried to sight in a Win 92 in 44-40 but it too seems to place my loads about 8" high and it would seem it too needs a taller blade, as does my long barreled full mag 86 in 33 Win. It shoots both 200 and 250 gn bullets significantly high at all ranges where sights are useable, whereas my button mag 33 Win loves 250 RN Hornadys and will keep minute of pop can at 100 mtrs on point of aim.
My 45-70 ELW shed it's forend after about 5 shots......dovetail that holds the front bracket is buggered, I'll have to fix that up before next session. Still managed to pound out 35 rounds as I needed the brass fired so I could make 50 cases for my 38-56, just single loaded them. Managed to plink some cans and snow patches with the 45-90, it shoots very well and to point of aim with my load........however it is much too light as I'm smoking cases and getting a lot of unburnt powder.
The Miroku 92 SRC 44-40 doesn't seem to be shooting too well but I suspect loading some .429 bullets for it will probably solve that issue.......seems I heard the new 44-40s all use a 429 bore size instead of the old .427 of the original 44-40. My original seems to shoot them well, just about 8" high. If my low hold is good can bounce a pop can around pretty good, so I'll just have to file up a new front blade and try 'er out that away.
I also managed to fireform 35 X 25-06 to 30-06 which had been formed from 270...........you can't believe any headstamp in my loading room, MUST check the box markings. Also tried out the irons on my old Husqvarna 30-06........need to try with a little more formal set up but even as it is, deer would be in deep trouble out to 150 mtrs or so.
Generally just had a great afternoon.........never put up a single target........just shot snow patches and a few rocks and left over pop cans.........just had fun with absolutely no disappointments. You guys ever notice that......no targets, no disappointments, just lots of fun......and now I get to do some more loading !!!!!!
 
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Sounds like lots of fun and yes the stress level comes down when your shooting at rocks and things. The last day of our hunting season we'll pull of a logging rd somewhere and take long shots at 600 - 700 yds at rocks or a small patch of moss on a rock bluff. We have range finders which makes it easier. Its a great way to practice. I kinda like those old winchester lever rifles. I'll have to get one in 38-55 and practice with iron sights offhand at 50 yds or so.
 
What no 1895's today?

I'd love a day out with some leverguns in the near future.

Nope, no 95s today. I'll have to have another couple lever gun days to check out all my 95s, I have an even dozen of them.......all original. 2 X 405, 2 X 30-40 Krag one flat side, 2 X 30-03 rifle and carbine, 2 X 38-72 one full octagon, 30-06, 40-72, 35 Win and a 303 Brit. I had to make brass for the 38-72 and 40-72 from 405 by thinning the rim and reducing the diameter a bit. I did 100 rounds, 50 for each caliber. Bullets for the 38-72 were no problem at all but the 40-72 and my 86 in 40-82 are another matter completely with a .406 bore dia. I have some Bullet Barn bullets in .406 and some in .409 to try out and see how they shoot from these 2 rifles.
 
Burning powder and jacking a lever (no, not that one) is good for the soul, ain't it!?!?!?!?

I have a similar lot of about 500 rag-tag random loads in .30/30, .32 Spl, .38/55 and .44... gotta get out with the kids next time they are all together and plink some fun targets... good times.
 
How did you thin the necks on your 405 brass? I necked some down for my. 35 Win but the action seems to stick closed and cause some difficulty trying to get it back open to eject my empty. Also, if you load for your. 35 Winchester, I wouldn't mind any advice or recipes that you might be willing to share.

Thanks,

SS1
 
SS!..........didn't make 35 Win from 405, made them from 30-40 Krag, the 38-72 and 40-72 didn't require neck thinning...........I'll get back with 35 Win load, know I'm using 220 Speer flat nose bullet, jacketed. Good luck finding any of these though.
 
SS1........my 35 Win load as follows;

Rem 30-40 Krag cases fireformed.
220 Speer HC flat tip
H4895 50 gns (right out of CotW, sort of)
Win WLRP
Seated and crimped in cannelure

This load is extrapolated from 2 loads in Cartridges of the World, it shows 52 grns for a 200 gn bullet and 50 gns for a 250 gn bullet so of course 50gns with a 220 is very conservative. This load shoots very well and when I get sights and trigger control all perfect, I can hit a 6" 200 mtr clanger every time. This is a lever gun I would legitimately hunt with as the accuracy is more than acceptable and it has some oomph behind it as well. I must say of all the lever guns and cartridges I have and have shot this one has impressed me the most, even more than the 405s, which of course in their own way are quite impressive, but then I expected them to be. The 35 however surprised me and I quite fell in love with it............come to think of it I need to make some more brass for it.
 
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