Loading for 1886 45/90.

[mark501w]

I'am loading for a new 1886 Win in45/90. The express cartridge requires a deep seating of the bullet for functioning of the magazine . I have std 405gr 45/70 bullets but the crimp groove is to far back. I'am using Redding dies but, they seem to be better suited to a single shot lead bullet gun. Got any suggestions ?

[Hobie]

Yes, I'd use the correct bullet for the cartridge or load the 405 gr. in the .45-70 case...

[Malamute]

What 400 gr bullet are you trying?

I believe most 400 gr bullets should seat ok for the 90, they are short nosed, like 300 gr bullets for the most part. In the 86, the "standard" length for 45-70 leaves a LOT of unused room for longer bullets, but factory loads and most component bullets adhere to the short length that saami prescribes.

The original factory loads for the 90 were 300 gr bullets.

[geobru]

What is the rate of twist in the new 45-90? My original 86 won't stabilize a 405 grain bullet.

[Sixgun]

The 45-90 will stabilize the 400 gr. bullet just fine. In order to get it so you can crimp it in the crimp groove, just trim the brass enough to get the proper max. O.L.----------6

[crs]

There are lots of bullets you can seat in the 1886 45-90. Since you said it is new, may we assume it is a Miroku made Winchester 1886?
Are you trying cast or jacketed? When I first began hand loading for my Miroku 1886 45-90, I had to learn to select bullets that would feed through the loading gate and chamber through the action.
There are many makers of cast bullets, but I settled on the Beartooth 325 and 405 grain cast; Before ordering, I did ask for and get confirmation from the maker that they would work in my 1886.

Since then it has fired Nosler PP 300, Northfork and Kodiak 450s, some from Grizzly cartridge, and some others.

Many loading manuals have no information on the 45-90, but Lyman and some others do and there is a lot of load information to be found with Internet searches. There are also some very experienced 45-90 loaders and shooters on this forum and they will chime in after a while - you came to the right place!

[M. M. Wright]

Mine is an old, (1916) Winchester which I load with 38 grains of 5744 and a 300 grain gas checked bullet which I cast from 30:1 alloy. Has killed everything I've shot with it. Only whitetail to date but I'm confident it would take care of anything on this continent. Barrel is pretty dark but accuracy is acceptable, about 3 inches at 100 yards. I use the Marbles tang sight regulated for 200 yards and a semi-buckhorn on the barrel regulated for 100 yards. Works for me.

I like to shoot a lot of black too but after about 3 rounds my old barrel starts wandering off toward Jones's. Would be fine for hunting though.

[crs]

MM - great rifle and post. I see your Marbles sight lies close to the peak of the stock comb as mine originally did.
Note how mine locks down now:


86er made the mod to the comb after he used the rifle in Africa where he experienced some rough and tumble hunting experiences. I like this much better as it reduces the chance of a bent sight stem. My rifle also has a Marbles fold down barrel sight for close in work. Great rifles and great sight combos.

[Sixgun]

I'am loading for a new 1886 Win in45/90. The express cartridge requires a deep seating of the bullet for functioning of the magazine . I have std 405gr 45/70 bullets but the crimp groove is to far back. I'am using Redding dies but, they seem to be better suited to a single shot lead bullet gun. Got any suggestions ?

Oh! I see the word "new" in there. I don't fool with that stuff.-6