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I wandered into my local gun store today and thought I struck gold! I have been looking for a set of reloading dies for each of my 1886’s and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these on the shelf, especially the 40-82. Even got the #18 shell holder to go with them. I’ve never reloaded either of these cartridges before. Anyone have any pointers as far as bullets, powders, and load data?
Thanks,
Don
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Don,
If you do not have any IMR 4198 smokeless powder, go buy a couple of pounds of it.
40-82 WCF – 260-gr hard cast lead bullet, start with 33-grains of IMR 4198.
45-90 – 300-gr bullet, start with 36-grains of IMR 4198.
Increase by .5 grain increments until you hit the sweet spot for accuracy.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
deerhunter said
I wandered into my local gun store today and thought I struck gold! I have been looking for a set of reloading dies for each of my 1886’s and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these on the shelf, especially the 40-82. Even got the #18 shell holder to go with them. I’ve never reloaded either of these cartridges before. Anyone have any pointers as far as bullets, powders, and load data?Thanks,
Don
Don –
That is an amazing piece of luck. With luck running like that, you probably should have bought a lottery ticket that day. And they are REDDING dies! I have some Redding, RCBS, Pacific, Lee, CH, etc. dies. But when I look at my section of Redding dies, I smile. I don’t have the same reaction when I look at the section of Lee dies.
I don’t load for the .40-82 anymore. I recall when I did, I was using Pyrodex CTG. They were a small irregular shaped pellet. I recall Bruce Hodgdon himself sent me a personnel handwritten letter of recommended loads for the various obsolete lever gun cartridges I was shooting. That version of powder is long discontinued. But, Bert has steered you right and if I get another .40-82, I’d be using the loads he listed.
Bert H. said
Don,If you do not have any IMR 4198 smokeless powder, go buy a couple of pounds of it.
40-82 WCF – 260-gr hard cast lead bullet, start with 33-grains of IMR 4198.
45-90 – 300-gr bullet, start with 36-grains of IMR 4198.
Increase by .5 grain increments until you hit the sweet spot for accuracy.
Thanks Bert. I’ll keep my eye out for IMR 4198. Likely the next needle in a haystack to find these days. I imagine I’ll need to track down some bullet moulds as well and make my own bullets. Dad had a couple buckets full of lead wheel weights that he used to form balls for his muzzle loader. Found those in the barn the other day.
Don
Tha
steve004 said
deerhunter said
I wandered into my local gun store today and thought I struck gold! I have been looking for a set of reloading dies for each of my 1886’s and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these on the shelf, especially the 40-82. Even got the #18 shell holder to go with them. I’ve never reloaded either of these cartridges before. Anyone have any pointers as far as bullets, powders, and load data?
Thanks,
Don
Don –
That is an amazing piece of luck. With luck running like that, you probably should have bought a lottery ticket that day. And they are REDDING dies! I have some Redding, RCBS, Pacific, Lee, CH, etc. dies. But when I look at my section of Redding dies, I smile. I don’t have the same reaction when I look at the section of Lee dies.
I don’t load for the .40-82 anymore. I recall when I did, I was using Pyrodex CTG. They were a small irregular shaped pellet. I recall Bruce Hodgdon himself sent me a personnel handwritten letter of recommended loads for the various obsolete lever gun cartridges I was shooting. That version of powder is long discontinued. But, Bert has steered you right and if I get another .40-82, I’d be using the loads he listed.
Hi Steve,
I couldn’t grab these fast enough. He also had Redding sets in 219 Zipper, 38-55,, 25-20, 44-40, 30-40 Krag, and I’m sure some others but can’t remember. All brand new sets. Paid $82.50 for each of the 1886 dies, so couldn’t afford to buy them all.
Don
I have reloaded the 45-90 for many years. In addition to 4198 I have used 3031, 5744 and 4759. If you use 4198 I would recommend that you start with about 31 grains. I get 1,550 fps with a 300 grain lead bullet. Your results may vary.
I looked at my 40-65 data. I used 5744. You probably could use any of the 4 powders for the 40-82.
That was a good price for the dies. Today if you can find them they are worth that for sure. I love Redding dies too but I have more RCBS.
Folks, As of a few days ago, Powder Valley, Inc, had IMR 4198 in 8 lb jugs. I got one just “in case”. Tim
tim tomlinson said
Folks, As of a few days ago, Powder Valley, Inc, had IMR 4198 in 8 lb jugs. I got one just “in case”. Tim
What was the total cost including shipping and Hazmat fees? Smokeless powder has really increased exponentially as of late.
The 8 lb jug was $335, Hazmat $19.95, Tax $29, shipping $19.95 as well. Note, I also had a couple pounds of another powder so tax and shipping of just a jug would be a slight amount less. Tim
tim tomlinson said
The 8 lb jug was $335, Hazmat $19.95, Tax $29, shipping $19.95 as well. Note, I also had a couple pounds of another powder so tax and shipping of just a jug would be a slight amount less. Tim
Ouch! I can feel your pain, LOL!
On top of that I found some much needed Remington 7 and 1/2 bench rest primers. You DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THEIR PRICE! But they are temporarily available and haven’t been for 4 years or so! Tim
$50. a pound total. Not as bad as I thought. I don’t think it’s going to get cheaper unless you find it local. T/R
TR and others, sometimes I don’t want to know the real cost! Shooting some of these is some of the greatest fun I have. Not going to find factory ammo for many, and its just not feasible. So–pony up and pay the costs and don’t look too close! The nearest store that stocks powder has the prices up around the $48 to $49 per lb and that is before paying their sales tax. Plus their selection continues to mostly be Accurate powders. Good powders, but not what I know!
Tim
I’ve been messing around with 40 82 lately. I ordered a set of Redding dies from Midway then discovered I had a set of CH4 dies. So, I sent back the Redding dies a couple days ago if somebody is looking.
I’m loading for a 1895 marlin circa 1903 in 40 82 at the moment. I formed cases from Jameson 45 90, easy to do. Then I found the empty cases wouldn’t chamber, the lever wouldn’t close. I figured the shoulder needed bumped back. Had to grind some off the bottom of the die. That worked. Now I’m having bullet issues. A .408 bullet chambers fine, but the bore measures .410, so I don’t think it’s going to work well. I have my doubts whether a .411 bullet will even chamber.
I have a M1881 in 40 65 that barely chambers a .408 and it has a .410 bore too. Got loads worked up for it but haven’t fired them yet.
I’m hoping that with the bullets cast with 20 to 1 that the black powder load will squash them up to fill the bore……I’m probably not going to be pleased.
I had similar problems as you are having. Instead of removing metal on the bottom of the die my friend made me a bushing to reduce the base area just ahead of the rim. I’ll go look at my 40-65 data. I know I’m shooting a .409″ bullet but don’t remember the slug dimension of my barrel? Sometimes if you drill a hole into the bottom of the bullet it will help with expansion of the bullet.
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