Winchester 45-90 Made in Miroku Japan

[daisygordoninc]

I just noticed for the first time that the marking on my barrel of my fairly new Winchester 1886 45-90 says "black powder only". What would the reason be for that? I realize they were originally made for black powder. Is that just a replica of what would have been on the barrel of an original 1886, or is there actually some mechanical reason for that. I didn't shoot black powder the first time I shot it, I loaded up some pretty hot smokeless powder loads. Does anyone have information about this?

Gordon

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I cannot imagine that rifle being assembled with other parts not equal to strength of the 45-70 models. I have read of conversions of the 45-70's to 45-90 without any problems.

But if the barrel or bolt or lugs were soft steel.. Any bulging brass? Any hard ejestions?

You could call the Sales Distributor in the US. They should have the info.

[1886]

Same action. I believe there is no .45-90 SAAMI spec for smokeless. Most find their shoulder gives out before the rifle. 1886.

[vancelw]

Same action. I believe there is no .45-90 SAAMI spec for smokeless. Most find their shoulder gives out before the rifle. 1886.

I think this is correct. I've also heard the same argument on .40-65. People shoot smokeless in Browning BPCRs all the time, but they are stamped the same as your .45-90. Replicate the BP load levels and don't try to hot-rod it and all should be fine.

[Pete44ru]

.

The reason the .45-90 barrel's marked "black powder only" is that the chambering works best with Holy Black.

With smokeless powders, there's not really much gain over the .45-70.

Since the Mirokuchesters are stronger than original M1886's, you can start with heavy .45-70 loads and work them up to match velocity, but as I said, there is no real advantage.

IIRC, Miroku also chambered the single-shot M-1885 in .45-90 for BPCR shooting (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle).

http://www.bpcr.net


.

[M. M. Wright]

My 1916 Winchester 1886 in 45-90 shoots whatever I feed it. A lot of black and some 5744. Mostly I shoot black equivalent loads but occasionally step it up a little. Your Miroku will do anything my Winchester will except maybe yours will stabilize heavier bullets since I suspect they use the same twist rate for 45-90 and 45-70. I actually owned one of the "black powder only" 45-90s for a couple of hours at a gun show one time.
With 300 grain, gas checked bullets and using the combination of barrel and tang sights it becomes a real 200 yard rifle. Mine won't stabilize more than about 350 grain hollow point but I suspect yours will stabilize anything your shoulder can stand to launch.

[daisygordoninc]

Thanks that helps much. The rifle seems to be heavy and strong, the loads I shot when I bought it were really pretty heavy, with 350 grain lead bullets. I would like to take it out some time with black powder loads and kill a black bear.

Gordon

[1886]

Here are some older threads. They may be of interest to you. 1886
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=10633
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=32624