45-90 W.C.F. Loads

[71fan]

I recently acquired a original Marlin 1895 in 45-90. I've been bouncing around the internet collecting load data but there isn't too much out there. I think I have enough to get started though.

I would like to hear from forum members to see who is loading the 45-90 in an original (old) levergun, and what your recipes are. I will use smokeless of some sort, probably 5744, 3031, or 4759, behind a 300 to 350 gr cast bullet, and try to duplicate the original factory velocity of about 1500 fps. I suppose I'll need filler with such a large case, but I'm not sure.

I would like to eventually shoot black with the rifle, but I don't have the equipment or the experience at this point in time.

Thanks!!

P.S. I did a search and came up with nada.

[Wind]

Hey there 71fan - These might get you started. Wind

Click on the picture to enlarge

[CowboyTutt]

Accurate Arms used to have data for obsolete cartridges but its not listed in their current reloading manual that is available online. If you go to Handloads.com, I think you will be able to find the previous data that Accurate listed. Worth a try at any rate.

-Tutt

[Ben_Rumson]

Here's the link to AA's 45-90 data
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerC ... %20363.pdf
And here's the link to the obsolete calibers
http://www.accuratepowder.com/loaddata_ ... solete.htm

[CowboyTutt]

Ben, thanks for finding that. I tried to, but couldn't. I've been house painting all day and I'm pretty tired so I missed it. Again, thanks. -Tutt

[geobru]

71,
PM sent with the results of my web research on 45-90 loads. Best to be on the cautious side when loading the old ones.

George

[Ben_Rumson]

[BigSky56]

71, Out of AA #2 load manual for 5744 powder &CCI 250 primers. danny
300( L) PBFN start 35.1 1566 fps MAX 39.0 1779 fps 27000 psi
405 (L) PBFN start 31.5 1350 fps MAX 35.0 1534 fps 28000 psi
500 (L) schmitzer start 29.3 1243 fps MAX 32.5 1413 fps 27200 psi
Ive read somewhere that the twist might not stabilize anything over 330 gr bullets ,for accuracy, I believe that applies to win 86 dont know about marlins.

[71fan]

Wind,
What manual is that page from? I'm surprised to see 2400 and Unique listed...interesting.

Thank you everyone for the information. There's definitely enough to get me going now.

[J Miller]

Were could someone find some 300gr 45-90 bullets cast soft and unlubed / unsized??

Joe

[Wind]

Hey again 71fan - That is the top half of page 189 in the Handbook of Cast Bullets, by the Lyman Gun sight Corporation, copyrighted in 1958. Hope this helps. Wind

[kimwcook]

IIRC, RKrodle posted some 45-90 loads that he was using for his takedown Win. '86. He might jump in.

I've got my Win.'86 in 45-90 and have yet to load a single round for it. In fact I was surprised to find that the 45-70's (start flaming or continue from the not loading for it) I've shot through it in the short range sessions I've done with it are more accurate than the 45-90's. I know I need to start reloading for it, but my stuff is still in storage and unavailable.

[RKrodle]

IIRC, RKrodle posted some 45-90 loads that he was using for his takedown Win. '86. He might jump in.

I've got my Win.'86 in 45-90 and have yet to load a single round for it. In fact I was surprised to find that the 45-70's (start flaming or continue from the not loading for it) I've shot through it in the short range sessions I've done with it are more accurate than the 45-90's. I know I need to start reloading for it, but my stuff is still in storage and unavailable.

The loads we were working with were for CRS's rifle. 86er done all the loading on that project and I don't have the data. But they were loaded up hot for him to use in Africa. 450gr Northforks just shy of 2000fps.

[crs]

What Ricky said +1
There are many sources of loads for the .45-90 in places like Ken Waters pet Loads, Sharps Handloading Guide (a fascinating old hardbacked book from one of the original handloaders), Accurate, Mike Venturino articles ( http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/STcast_040306/ )
and this one on Leverguns ( http://levergunscommunity.org/viewtopic ... a&start=20 )

There are many reloading sites on the web and some of them have .45-90 loads. http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=92
and http://www.loaddata.com/members/listing.cfm?type=1
One caution - some of the loads are high pressure loads for the Miroku/Winchester 1886 and these are generating 4000 + foot pounds of energy - likely not what you want for the Marlin rifle that you have.
These are the type loads we have been working up for my 1886, including the 300 grain Nosler PP at 2200 and 2600 fps.

[kimwcook]

What can I say? Sorry guys, using old files.

[crs]

Kim,
You said ==>
"In fact I was surprised to find that the 45-70's (start flaming or continue from the not loading for it) I've shot through it in the short range sessions I've done with it are more accurate than the 45-90's."

Most of the .45-70 ammo that I have fired in my .45-90 is accurate, some of it very accurate.
It is no more accurate than equivalent .45-90 ammo, but still very satisfactory. I have an adequate supply of commercial .45-70 ammo as backup for hunting should I need it and not have the desired handloads ready.

[Mike D.]

These are the type loads we have been working up for my 1886, including the 300 grain Nosler PP at 2200 and 2600 fps.[/quote]
Yikes! 2600 FPS!? The hottest load I've used in my old '86 generates 2040. I have some rounds loaded with 70 grains Varget and 300 Barnes,
but I'm afraid to touch 'em off.

[crs]

MikeD,
An idea - send a few to Mike Rintoul at Grizzly cartridge and let him shoot them in his .45-90 pressure barrel, then you will know whether they are safe for your rifle.

We shot 450grain Kodiak FN-FMJ loaded up to the limit a while back and after a few rounds on a 95 + degree day they caused very sticky extraction in my Miroku 1886 .45-90, so I backed off them until the weather cools off. They were loaded with a bunch (note scientific term) of H322 up to just under 2000 fps and that was too fast for that powder.

BTW, with the offhand shooting with the curved steel buttplate, I still had no bruises shooting those hot 450 loads, but I require padding or the lead sled to shoot those from a benchrest.

[Sixgun]

Geeze, How did I miss this post? The 45-90 has been my companion since 1973. For starters, we won't discuss that old blackpowder 1886 that let loose on me. The following loads have been tested and chronographed out of 2 different original 1886's, both with nickel steel barrels, but will be safe in BP 1886's that are good and tight.

My rifles have the original 1-32 twist and shoot the 290-325 gr. bullets super. They also do OK with the 375-400 grainers with only a very slight loss in accuracy, but not enough to give 'em up.

30 gr. AA 5744 290 gr. Lyman PB----1435

34 gr. AA 5744 with 325 gr. gas check---1466 @ 30 degrees--1568 @ 75 degrees.
(my favorite load )

30 gr. 5744 375 NEI GC---1273 @ 45 degrees

32 gr. 5744 375 NEI GC 1348 @ 55 degrees

29 gr. 5744 325 GC 1184 @ 70 degrees

11 gr. unique (with 45-70 brass) 385 Lyman PB 1014 ----very accurate but with a very high trajectory, but still easy to hit and deadly out to 250.

16 gr. Unique with 385 Lyman pb 1149 @ 55 degrees.

All (with one exception) of these loads use Starline 45-90 brass with federal LR primers. Bullets are sized .459 and come out to 8-9 on the Saeco hardness scale which is equal to Lyman #2 alloy.

[Mike D.]

I favor the old 64/3031/300 load. Even with a HR buttplate the recoil is too much for the bench. One of these days, I'm going to try some of the Barnes TSXs. I suspect that the trajectory will be much flatter.

[Larry O]

71:
I use 58.0 grains of 3031 under a 300 grain jacked flatnose bullet in my 45-90. I use this same powder and charge in my 45-70 and my 40-82. I have used this load in my rifle for the past 40+ years and it has successfully killed quite a number of game with no problems except for the animal of course. I did try--only once--that 64 grain load listed in Phil Sharpe's book and, frankly, with a curved steel butt plate, it flat kicked the stuff out of me! So here is my load--do with it as you see fit.