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June 26, 2013
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I recently acquired these four boxes to accompany my circa 1895 1886 take-down in .40-82. I like having a representation of each chambering for my Winchesters. A couple of these are rather hard to find. All boxes are full with the native cartridges.
.40-75-260 Express:
.40-82 shot cartridges:
.40-82 black powder cartridges:
.40-82 smokeless cartridges:
Don
April 15, 2005
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Don,
Very nice 
I too have collected full ammo boxes for all of the various calibers for my Single Shot rifles. The W.R.A.Co. 40-90 Ballard box was the toughest to find (I eventually ended up with two boxes of it). The hunt for the cartridge boxes is as much fun as finding the rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 11, 2008
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I congratulate you on the excellent boxes. The conditions are phenomenal
Stefan
June 26, 2013
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Bert H. said
Don,Very nice
I too have collected full ammo boxes for all of the various calibers for my Single Shot rifles. The W.R.A.Co. 40-90 Ballard box was the toughest to find (I eventually ended up with two boxes of it). The hunt for the cartridge boxes is as much fun as finding the rifles.
Bert
Thanks Bert. Antique ammo is my secondary disease. Even though I don’t own all calibers for the 1886, I would like a representation of all calibers of the two-piece ammo boxes. A pretty spendy goal for sure. I think you should do the same thing for the 1885 ?.
Don
June 26, 2013
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steff said
I congratulate you on the excellent boxes. The conditions are phenomenal
Stefan
Thanks Stef. I was glad to acquire these. The 40-75-260 Express box is my favorite and the most valuable in my collection. I believe it’s the only 1886 chambering that Winchester never specifically chambered a rifle for. To be used in the 1886 chambered for 40-82, so a bit of an odd-ball.
Don
September 11, 2008
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How long did you have to search to find such rarities?
I have a badly preserved 45-85-300 Express Box, unfortunately only with one cartridge. I don’t think there was a special weapon for that either, right?
Stefan
June 26, 2013
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steff said
How long did you have to search to find such rarities?I have a badly preserved 45-85-300 Express Box, unfortunately only with one cartridge. I don’t think there was a special weapon for that either, right?
Stefan
I was lucky to find all 4 boxes in the same auction. Two of the boxes had no bidders so I negotiated a price after the auction. The same auction had a full box of 45-85-300 that went for a very reasonable price-see attached. I’m kicking myself for not bidding on that one as well. According to Ray Giles book, just a very small handful of 1886’s were specifically chambered for the 45-85 and are very rare.
https://wardscollectibles.com/viewitem.php?item=30081
Don
March 31, 2009
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The 40-75-260 Express box is my favorite and the most valuable in my collection. I believe it’s the only 1886 chambering that Winchester never specifically chambered a rifle for. To be used in the 1886 chambered for 40-82, so a bit of an odd-ball.
Don
Are the 40-75’s a straight wall case or are they a bottle neck? Sure are rare. Are the 45-85’s a 45-90 with more powder? I know I have one but I’m to lazy to go look for it.
March 31, 2009
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deerhunter said
I think you should do the same thing for the 1885 ?.
Don
I think so too. 
June 26, 2013
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Chuck said
Are the 40-75’s a straight wall case or are they a bottle neck? Sure are rare. Are the 45-85’s a 45-90 with more powder? I know I have one but I’m to lazy to go look for it.
The 40-75 is a straight wall case and is actually head-stamped 40-82 from the factory. I believe the main difference is the copper-tube “express” bullets, but unsure regarding the powder charges.
https://www.cartridgecollector.net/40-75-260-winchester-express
https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/what-kidof-rifle-used-the-45-85-and-40-82-cartridge-2842016.html
Don
March 31, 2009
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Thanks. They call these a straight wall but they should have a very slight reduction at the neck area, about .020″ I think?
Nice stuff. Any shot boxes are nice to find.
I too try to collect a box for each caliber I own. If I find a nice box that I don’t have a rifle for I may buy it too.
It was easier for me to get out the Barnes Cartridges of the World. The 45-82 and the 45-85 all use the 45-90 case.
November 19, 2006
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Chuck said
Thanks. They call these a straight wall but they should have a very slight reduction at the neck area, about .020″ I think?Nice stuff. Any shot boxes are nice to find.
I too try to collect a box for each caliber I own. If I find a nice box that I don’t have a rifle for I may buy it too.
It was easier for me to get out the Barnes Cartridges of the World. The 45-82 and the 45-85 all use the 45-90 case.
Don – wonderful boxes of wonderful cartridges! Having all the cartridges native to the boxes is no easy trick either.
Interesting that COW says .45-82 and .45-85 use the .45-90 case. This isn’t the case if you are shooting a Marlin M1881, Colt Express rifle or a Bullard large frame – where the .45-85 uses the .45-70 case.
I liked your box of .40-75 the best. Interestingly, my .40 caliber Bullard uses the Bullard .40-60, .40-70 or .40-75 Bullard cartridges – which is the .40-65 Winchester or .40-60 Marlin or .40-60 Colt.
April 15, 2005
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deerhunter said
Thanks Bert. Antique ammo is my secondary disease. Even though I don’t own all calibers for the 1886, I would like a representation of all calibers of the two-piece ammo boxes. A pretty spendy goal for sure. I think you should do the same thing for the 1885 ?.
Don
That is NOT fair!! Do you have any idea just how many boxes of ammo I would need to find to represent the Winchester Single Shot 
I would need an entire new storage room in my house!!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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Bert H. said
That is NOT fair!! Do you have any idea just how many boxes of ammo I would need to find to represent the Winchester Single Shot
Bert
But what a quest it would be! 
I’m reveling in the thought of it. From .22 CB cap to .577 Eley. And everything in between!
March 31, 2009
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steve004 said
Interesting that COW says .45-82 and .45-85 use the .45-90 case. This isn’t the case if you are shooting a Marlin M1881, Colt Express rifle or a Bullard large frame – where the .45-85 uses the .45-70 case.
I agree. I have a 45-85 CLMR but I don’t have any experience with Marlins or Bullards. I did own one Marlin and I have played with a few Bullards just to cycle the action.
March 31, 2009
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Bert H. said
That is NOT fair!! Do you have any idea just how many boxes of ammo I would need to find to represent the Winchester Single Shot
Bert
What’s fair got to do with it….It’s only about 85 boxes.
November 19, 2006
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Chuck said
steve004 said
Interesting that COW says .45-82 and .45-85 use the .45-90 case. This isn’t the case if you are shooting a Marlin M1881, Colt Express rifle or a Bullard large frame – where the .45-85 uses the .45-70 case.
I agree. I have a 45-85 CLMR but I don’t have any experience with Marlins or Bullards. I did own one Marlin and I have played with a few Bullards just to cycle the action.
How could you cycle a Bullard action and not own one? I recall my first time. I said to myself, “this is something I have to have.” And I didn’t stop with one
March 31, 2009
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steve004 said
How could you cycle a Bullard action and not own one? I recall my first time. I said to myself, “this is something I have to have.” And I didn’t stop with one
They have the smoothest action I’ve ever cycled. Even the Marlins are smoother than the Winchesters. Neither is my thing though.
November 19, 2006
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Chuck said
They have the smoothest action I’ve ever cycled. Even the Marlins are smoother than the Winchesters. Neither is my thing though.
Let me add that the Whitney-Kennedy has an extremely smooth cycling action as well. The lever throw is quite long however. When I compare my .38-40 Whitney-Kennedy to one of my .38-40 M1892’s, there’s a world of difference in the length of the lever throw. The Whitney-Kennedy is also a whole lot bulkier than the ’92 Winchester. I can see why the Winchester prevailed.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
What’s fair got to do with it….It’s only about 85 boxes.
You need to go back and reread my article covering this very topic… it is more than just 85 boxes!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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