B 86 .45-70 Short Rifle Range Report w/pics

1886 · Post by **1886** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:55 pm

I took her to the range today just to see how she shoots cast projectiles. The load consisted of a stout charge of RL-7, W/W brass 2.10", Rem 2 1/2 primers, Mt. Baldy 405grFNGC bullets sized .460 loaded to a length of 2.30". I prepared the load using RCBS dies with a .454" expander. This size expander has proven itself time and time again with jacketed and high performance hard cast loads. A healthy crimp was applied with a Lee FCD. The top 4 shot group was shot at 40yrds with the factory open sights with the rounds loaded singly into the chamber. The bottom group was also shot at 40yrds from the bench but with the rounds loaded into the mag. tube. Must be some vibration thing going on with the rounds in the mag. tube. A total of ten rounds were fired today. Recoil was quite noticable to be sure. I did not chrono the load, too windy, but I would guess velocity was in the 1850-1950 fps range. Maybe I will post pics of my shoulder in a couple of days. Regards. 1886.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:03 pm

I thought that butt plate might bite a little

Shows some real potential though!!

jb

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:55 pm

Good enough. Seems it shoots minute of pizza.

crs · Post by **crs** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:59 pm

That is a sharp looking blunderbuss you have there! Looks like the shorter length makes real handy in close quarters. Keep banging away and you will find a load that you like and eat one ragged hole at 50 yards.
Woe be to any game within range of you with that cannon.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:50 pm

I love the look of that rifle. very nice.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:25 pm

Sweet! I like that rifle a bunch!!!

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:45 pm

Boy, that's a handy looking '86. Iwonder how much difference there is shooting that length (20"?) and my 26"

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Tue May 20, 2008 2:43 am

Sweet rifle 1886

!As for recoil a ol "rule of thumb" is for every 1# less a rifle weighs expect up to 20% max more free recoil.

Recoil velocity plays a role also.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue May 20, 2008 4:34 am

if winchester made more rifles like that,perhaps they would still be in buisness. nice!!!!

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:19 pm

That's a very handie looking rifle. Although, I'd rather stick with a 26" bbl. for the reduced recoil. Shooting that shortie with high end loads would definitely get my attention.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:36 pm

I bet that packs a wallop!
Nice looking shooter......

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:30 am

It'll kill ANYTHING in the US at 3/4 speed and be vastly more pleasant to shoot.

Nice lever!

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:34 am

Very attractive '86 carbine. I liked it from the time I first saw the photo of it.

Noah

winter1857 · Post by **winter1857** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:31 pm

That is very, very nice. I have a case of pure, unadulterated WANT.

86er · Post by **86er** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:34 pm

Good luck with that rifle! It seems to be A OK! The sore shoulder will only last a few days.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:47 pm

winter1857 wrote:That is very, very nice. I have a case of pure, unadulterated WANT.

Boy howdy!

The full mag appeals to me more than the half mag of the Guide Gun. Maybe get me a used 1895CB and a hacksaw...hmmm....

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:13 pm

I like it.
That would be a sweet rifle to carry around in the north of Oz or in the desert where the wild camels roam.
If it was me I'd be flinching like a girl after the first shot with your load, I ran a few figures through pointblank and if we assume 1900fps and 40 gr RL7( which is inside recommended range) and a 405 bullet, if your rifle weighs 7 pound you would get 41.5 pound recoil energy and 19.5 fps recoil velocity

1886 · Post by **1886** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:27 am

Thanks for the calculations. The powder charge was quite a bit heavier than 40grs but certainly safe in the robust 86. This particular rifle weighs about 8.5lbs. No light weight to be sure. I do not think 40grs would register 1900fps. Thanks again. 1886.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:56 pm

Your right, 40 gr would only produce about 1600 not 1900.
Either way I've become a wimp in my old age and find a 350gr bullet at 1300fps about enough for my liking, I dont own a 45-70 but if I did I dont think I would go above trapdoor loads.

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:03 pm

Sounds a little optimistic on the velocity.