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Anyone out there have any pet loads (or any loads at all) for the 40-60 Winchester. For years I’ve loaded 9.5 grains of Unique in re-sized 45-70 Government cases behind a 212 grain flat nose lead boolit (Lyman 410028). This load is for an 1876 Winchester made in 1879 so I’ve stuck with this light load. Just acquired an 1885 High Wall, 40-60 Winchester, made in 1902 and want to try some more powerful loads. So far have only been able to find a couple of suggested starting loads using AA 5744 and 4198.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
22-grains IMR 4198. For the high-wall, start with 24-grains, and then work up to the accuracy load.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks, Bert. That’s in line with one of the starting loads I did find: 21 gr. 4198 but doesn’t specify whether H or IMR, nor whether High or Low Wall. I have a couple of lbs. of H4198 and the rifle is a High Wall with a very good bore so I think I’ll start with 22 grains of H4198 and a 212 grain cast bullet.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
The 40-60 was only available in the high-wall… it is much too large of a cartridge for the low-wall frame.
In regards to H4198 versus the older IMR 4198, there is approximately a 2-grain difference in the starting load. If you use H4198, I would start with 23/24 grains.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I agree that 4198 would be a great choice in that size case. Great in 45-60 for me
I really like 4198 (really good in everything I’ve tried from .218 Bee to 45-70 ) and initially used the long grain IMR until I discovered the H-4198 that gave me the same or better performance in the full range of cartridges for my antiques, but the biggest advantage is that the short grain meters much smoother thru a powder measure
Since the 2 companies merged there is only the short grain ( that used to be H-4198)and I believe that is labeled IMR and it’s made in Canada , but I don’t have the Canister here to double check
Phil
Thanks for that info, 25-20. I just checked my 3 canisters of H-4198: the open one is from 2 – 3 years ago and has a tin lid and says “made in Shawnee, Kansas”. The other 2 I bough 1 last year and 1 this year, both have plastic lids and say “made in Australia, packaged in USA”. I wasn’t aware that the 2 companies had merged and hope they use the smaller, more meterable configuration.
Also, over the years I’ve found that metering one’s charges without tossing the charge into a scale is what probably accounts for those inexplicable shots that fly 6″ to 10″ outside the shot group. Once I started checking every load I found that every charge varies by .1 or .2 grains and occasionally there is one that is .5 grains over or under. And that is with 4 different Lyman # 55 powder measures and all powders, save for Unique that has been the most uniform for me in over 40 years of reloading.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Also, over the years I’ve found that metering one’s charges without tossing the charge into a scale is what probably accounts for those inexplicable shots that fly 6″ to 10″ outside the shot group. Once I started checking every load I found that every charge varies by .1 or .2 grains and occasionally there is one that is .5 grains over or under. And that is with 4 different Lyman # 55 powder measures and all powders, save for Unique that has been the most uniform for me in over 40 years of reloading.
I know this probably in’t period, and it’s all newfangled and everything, but one of the best things I purchased for my reloading setup was a Hornady digital trickler/scale. Fill the hopper, set the weight you want and it trickles the correct weight everytime, warning you if, for some reason it clumps orotherwise throws over. Then dump the crucible back in the hopper and set it back on the scale and it automatically measures a new load.
Accurate, fast, and most of all keeps me consistent and safe.
Just my 2 cents.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
supergimp said
I know this probably in’t period, and it’s all newfangled and everything, but one of the best things I purchased for my reloading setup was a Hornady digital trickler/scale. Fill the hopper, set the weight you want and it trickles the correct weight everytime, warning you if, for some reason it clumps orotherwise throws over. Then dump the crucible back in the hopper and set it back on the scale and it automatically measures a new load.
Accurate, fast, and most of all keeps me consistent and safe.
Just my 2 cents.
Steve
Steve, I’ve been mulling that over for 2 – 3 years now. Tain’t period, but your comment has just about pushed over the hump. Looking for deals, starting NOW!
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Haha. It took pistol loads with a manual trickler that pushed me over. One Sunday afternoon I swear I must’ve had too much coffee or something and trickled over at least a dozen times in a row. I was so mad at myself I could only laugh and go inside and start browsing Amazon, Midway and Brownell’s.
I have this one:
RCBS and Lyman have comparable models. Some fancier, perhaps, I’ve never done a first hand comparison but I’m perfectly happy with this one. I’ve cross referenced with my other scales and it seems accurate. It’s pretty easy to work, the only real adjustment is feed rate that you may have to vary a little for different powders if you start throwing overs, but for the most part I just pull it off the shelf, run the self calibration routine (comes with calibration weights) and go to town.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
Hello Wincacher , just ran across this . Have you tried any new loads yet in your 40/60 wcf. How about # 2400 , I have never tried it in the 40/60 wcf , was wondering if anyone has info using #2400. I ran 20 of my Bp. loads through my 76 40/60wcf yesterday afternoon. I never tire of shooting that old rifle and load . It is super accurate and will send the largest Boar to pig heaven, Muy Pronto! Just waiting for temps to get cool enough for a butcher. Then Mr. hog better look out. Good luck with your load development , and please keep us posted. My Best ,,,DT
dusty texian said
Hello Wincacher , just ran across this . Have you tried any new loads yet in your 40/60 wcf. How about # 2400 , I have never tried it in the 40/60 wcf , was wondering if anyone has info using #2400. I ran 20 of my Bp. loads through my 76 40/60wcf yesterday afternoon. I never tire of shooting that old rifle and load . It is super accurate and will send the largest Boar to pig heaven, Muy Pronto! Just waiting for temps to get cool enough for a butcher. Then Mr. hog better look out. Good luck with your load development , and please keep us posted. My Best ,,,DT
Actually, I have done some more experimenting with the 40-60 W.C.F. round. A few months ago I acquired an 1885 High Wall in 40-60 caliber. Like most of my Winchesters, nothing special about it but it has an excellent bore, about a 9, so it is quite shootable. Made in 1902, it has a 30″ barrel and slugs out to .4055.
Worked up several loads using a .406 212 grain lead bullet (Lyman 41028) in front of several different charges of AA 5744. I tend to prefer the 5744 in these old high-volume cartridges as everything I’ve read suggests that the pressures emulate the BP pressures when one loads for original factory load velocities. I loaded 10 rounds each of 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8 and 16.9. They all developed velocities over the FL of 1550 fps. The most accurate (no pun intended) so far was the 16.5 grains of AA @ 1638 fps, with an SD of 23. I have loaded another 100 rounds with charges of 15.2 through 16.2 in .2 grain increments but haven’t been out to the range to try these out yet. Might be able to get out to the range this week and will report back.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
That sounds like a very nice rifle. With a bore that good, it should be accurate . I looked through my ( Ken Waters Pet Loads ) and found two loads listed for the 40/60wcf. Both use the Lyman 210 gr. 403168 . One load , 15.5 gr. SR-4759 and the second load, same bullet , and 20gr. #2400 . I have plenty of #2400 on hand . May load up a few and try them in my old 76. I will report back with the results.,,,DT
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