New Winchester 1886 Rant

You'll get two different stories when you talk to the company. Sounds like you got the official one. I talked to a fellow in the design department of Browning when they came out with the Miroku/Browning 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine. What he told me the barrel and action will stand, off the record, dropped my jaw. All I can say that if you load it up to the off the record levels, you will have shoulder problems after the third shot.

I had an original 1886 chambered in 45-90 that was made in 1888. I loaded up smokeless loads in that to original BP velocities and that was with an ancient barrel. Modern barrels will take a lot more.

As for which is stronger, a 45-70 or a 45-90 ..... barrel steels being equal, the 45-70 will take slightly higher pressures due to the shorter chamber BUT due to the 45-90's larger case capacity, the same pressure will give you higher velocities in the 45-90, since it takes more powder/gas to give the same pressure. So, for a 400 grain bullet at 1,800 fps, the 45-90 will do it at a lower pressure than the 45-70. However, I don't see why anyone wants to punish themselves that way.
 
I wonder, is the twist rate the same in the new 45-90 and 45-70's? Originally the 45-90 had a slower twist as it was designed for 350gr bullets. I doubt that they have fooled with two different twist rates in 45 caliber barrels given the limited number they would sell in a year, but it would be interesting to know.
 
According to their website, they're both supposed to have a 1 in 20" twist. I know that the originals were a 1 in 32" twist. I'll have a look when I have a second and let you know.

I tried cycling a loaded cartridge through the action yesterday and it was a hair too long. I had to pull it back through the loading port. I'll have to seat the bullets a little bit deeper.
 
Keep us posted. What kind of bullet weight and velocity are you hoping to achieve? I might be able to help out a bit with some 2 cents.
 
1900 wouldn't be unrealistic, but might be uncomfortable. That bullet at 1700 fps.
would be more than adequate for the critters you're after out to 150 yds. or so.

Try 42 gr. IMR 4198 with some kapok filler to hold the powder in place for 1700fps.
43 gr. RX7 with filler will also do 1700fps. ;)
 
Slooshark1 said:
Tell me more about kapok filler...
Click to expand...

Kapok filler is that white synthetic fluffy stuff thats in almost every
stuffed kid & dog toy these days. I pull it from the toys and keep it in a
plastic bag for reloadin' light loads.

When I put a reduced charge into a case, I then take a pinch of kapok
and separate any lumps from it by pulling apart with my fingers. I then roll
it into a cigar shape and poke it into the case with a little piece of
wood dowel, and lightly tamp it down so the stuff is just below the
case mouth. Then I seat the bullet over this to keep the powder from
shifting in the cartridge. With practice, it's easy to get the right amount
of tension onto the powder so that it doesn't shift.

This method is great for straight cased cartridges as well as most
any bottlenecked ones as well. The kapok does not add much weight
to the charge and a little bit goes a long way.

I've had good success with this method in loads from .17 Rem. to .458 Mag.
:)
 
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I'm currently loading 56 Grains of H335 in my 45-70 with a 400 Gr Speer. I was planning on starting with 58 Gr in the 45-90. From what I've researched on the calibre, that should be a good start.
 
Slooshark1 said:
Would 1900fps with a 400 gr Speer be unrealistic? I'll be hunting moose deer and black bear with it.
Click to expand...

I get 1950 with a 420gr cast bullet out of my 1885 using IMR 3031 (can't remember the charge exactly...I got it from Pet Loads by Ken Waters). You should have no trouble getting the 45-90 there.
 
Thanks for the info. I have a brand new Lyman peep sight that I'm going to put on and remove the buckhorn. I might just have her ready for deer season.
 
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