Loading for .45-90 question(s)...

[Tundra Tiger]

This may seem comically premature considering I don't own a rifle yet, but...

Anyone know a place for load data (or have some) for a modern Winchwster 1886 in .45-90? My online ninja skills have been performing poorly and Google is largely giving me a metaphorical middle finger. It occurred to me that a member here (CRS?) might have answers but he hasn't been on in a long while. Buffalo Bore has several offerings but my preference would be to load my own. One site I did see online, the guy said he used low end .458 WM data for his .45-90 (he has both).

Thanks in advance on any leads or information.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Get a Lyman manual, either the main one (the 51st) or the Lyman Cast Handbook, or the SPG reloading manual, or Mike Venturinos Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West (or the Lever Gun version). I have all of them and would start with the main Lyman manual.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Get a Lyman manual, either the main one (the 51st) or the Lyman Cast Handbook, or the SPG reloading manual, or Mike Venturinos Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West (or the Lever Gun version). I have all of them and would start with the main Lyman manual.

Do they have more powerful loads for modern rifles? For example, Buffalo Bore has a couple that cross the 4000 foot pounds threshold.

 

[DaddyFlip]

They do not.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Do you want smokeless or the holy black ?
I use 92gn Wano 2P, 1/16 over powder card wad and a breach seated projectile in my rolling block
Gumpy

 

[DaddyFlip]

He wants lever gun jacketed over smokeless, like heavy 45-70.

Which you could use 45-70 Marlin loads as starters then go from there watching the reaction of the bolt and the brass as usual.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Bingo. I am researching lever gun options that thump hard. A .45-90 seems like a viable option.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

My bad, for some reason I thought you had a highwall, I’ll have a look in my books later today
Gumpy

 

[Andrew NOLA]

see attached from Load data . com - super useful - requires an inexpensive paid subscription

Turnbull shipped me a 475 Turnbull today. I will need to post some pictures. Only slightly less expensive than a Rigby (some what of an exaggeration)

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Thanks Andrew!

 

[Daryl S]

.45/90 in an 86. OK Original with Nickle Steel bl - or modern made? Either, it will do everything a Marlin .45/70 will do and then some.
Check the rate of twist. If it's 1 turn in 40" or slower, then it's 350gr. or lighter bullets only.
The 350gr. Speer needs 1,900fps impact speed to reliably expand, apparently.
350 Hornady FN's are good bullets. I've used the RN's on moose when driven at 2,296fps. Great performance.
You could start with maximum loads for Marlin 1895's in .45/70, or the starting loads in Hodgdon's Annual Manual for "Modern Rifles" as they are high CUP's (under 40,000) in .45/70 brass. As such, they are close to maximum's for the .45/70 Lever guns.
A Lee "Factory Crimp Die" will allow crimping any bullets without cannelures. A heavy crimp is a good thing in lever guns.
The 405 and Winchester 405gr. SP's are meant for velocities under 1,800fps. they are too soft for higher muzzle vel. than about 1,850fps & become meat wasters. This info. from an article by Wil Haftner, guide and/or cook at a Montana guide's outfit - years ago. His article was about a M660 re-barreled and chambered to .458 2". Excellent article - wish I still had it.

 

[Daryl S]

I'm seeing the data. This should work.
You might have to copy-paste to your browser address window and down or up load it.

file:///C:/Users/D.Sapergia/Downloads/45-90%20load%20data.pdf

 

[Andrew NOLA]

North Fork 45 Cal (458 Diameter) Bullets 405 Grain Flat Point Box of

The North Fork Flat Point bullet is the popular SS bullet specially made to work reliably and safely in tube magazines when you want to ensure that a...

www.midwayusa.com

Another one to consider

Please keep us abreast of your developments. I have a couple of modern 45-90's as well that I have not started loading for. You breaking the ice would be super helpful.

 

[Rafiki]

You could look at AmmoGuide.com for handloader published data. I shoot a 45-90 Rollingblock and have published some of my loads there as have others. Most of my stuff is 500gr bullets though.

 

[JFE]

High pressure loads in 45/90 are difficult to find. You will find more guidance reviewing published pressure tested Class 3 loads for 45/70, ie loads for the Ruger No.1. There is some load data for 457 WWG which is a high pressure 2.2” cartridge loaded to an OAL of 2.65”. Carefully analyse such pressure tested data, taking into account OAL. Bear in mind that an 1886 is nowhere near as strong as a Ruger No.1.

You can also get inspiration by checking Turnbull’s data for the 475 Turnbull. He keeps pressures at sensible levels. Real Guns did an article on modern 45/90 loads but the max loads were easily matched in a hot loaded 45/70.

I had a 45/90 built on a Browning 71 and have a Browning 1886 in 45/70. The 45/90 works well, but IMO is not a versatile as an 1886 rifle in 45/70. With the right bullets you can load a 45/70 to the same length as a 45/90.

You can increase versatility by using normal length 45/70 brass and shorter Hornady brass. My 45/70 still has the stock factory no throat chamber.
45/70 brass makes lighter loads much easier than trying to do the same in longer 45/90 brass.