M1886 Winchester Short Rifle .45-90

[Demonical]

I know earlier in the year, someone posted a story here about a M1886 Winchester Short Rifle, chambered in .45-90.


What's the practical diff' between the .45-70 & the .45-90?
Does the .45-90 handle heavier bullets?
What about these M1886 barrels and twist rates? I've read that the .45-90 barreled with slower twist rates, intended to shoot lighter bullets, then the .45-70...

Opinions?

 

[Win 38-55]

I had an '86 45-90 once and enjoyed shooting it. The 45-90 has a larger case capacity, so with smokeless powder you can ease the pressure somewhat for the same weight bullet. The early 45-90's had a 1:32 twist if I recall correctly, and were designed for a 300 grain bullet at about 1,500 fps with the original black powder load. Later, the twist was tightened to handle 405 grain bullets.

 

[gunlaker]

Are you referring to the new (Miroku built) Winchesters? If so, I believe that they use the same 1:20 twist for both .45-70 and .45-90, unlike the originals. Some will argue that with smokeless powder you can get more velocity with less pressure in a .45-90 than with a .45-70, but I'd stick with the .45-70 regardless. With black powder there is an advantage with respect to velocity if that's what you are looking for.

Chris.

 

[Slooshark1]

I have one and yes, it's the same twist as the 45-70. That being said, I'm still shooting 300 Gr. Barnes original bullets out of it. I like the rifle and calibre, but that's just me. It's strictly a reloading proposition and is quite expensive to load for, but man is it cool! I feel like I'm stuffing cigar tubes into the magazine!