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What do you think is the better bullet weight to use for reloading? 405 grains?
Doesn’t that depend on what you’re reloading for? Hunting, plinking, long-range accuracy? For paper punching at the range, I’d make it easier on my shoulder with 300 g.
I agree with Clarence, depends on what your shooting at. Hunting white tail or mule deer, I’d use a 300 gr. Bear, elk or moose, the 405 would be best. Punching paper on a range day, the 300 would be best on the shoulder.
My guess is that the OP intends to target shoot as he refers to a Winchester 1885 in .45-70. Or, it really is a Winchester 1886 but the OP refers to a Winchester 1885 in error.
The gun is a Winchester 1885 highwall in 45-70. I want to know, based upon the twist, what is the better bullet weight for accuracy. What did Winchester have in mind when they built this gun? My guess would be the 405 grain. This is the first lever gun in 45-70 I have ever owned. I have a military 2nd model Hotchkiss carbine but these are really 45-55’s with a Springfield barrel. For some reason I have found and bought a few 45-90’s over the years. I have a lot of 300 gr. bullets for the 45-90’s, 45-75, and the Colt 45-85-285 I shoot. I will punch paper until I have developed my loads. I recently found out I can shoot 45-70’s in Iowa for deer. Iowa is a shotgun state but you can use straight wall pistol calibers and for some reason the 45-70 was grandfathered on the approved list for some reason?
I do have a tendency to be in error quite often.
t
November 7, 2015
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Historically I think you can’t go wrong with a 405 cast from 1-20 or 1-16 tin-lead alloy. Lyman 457193 is my favorite but RCBS and Lee make good ones as well. I don’t know the twist rate but if it’s fast enough you may be able to use a heavier bullet. As a hunting or target rifle I don’t see much point in it, tho, unless it shows a preference for a heavier bullet. With a single shot I’d probably use FFg BP but 5744 will work just fine.
Mike
Chuck said
I have a lot of 300 gr. bullets for the 45-90’s, 45-75, and the Colt 45-85-285 I shoot.
I’d use what I had before going to the trouble to shop elsewhere.
TXGunNut said
Historically I think you can’t go wrong with a 405 cast from 1-20 or 1-16 tin-lead alloy. Lyman 457193 is my favorite but RCBS and Lee make good ones as well. I don’t know the twist rate but if it’s fast enough you may be able to use a heavier bullet. As a hunting or target rifle I don’t see much point in it, tho, unless it shows a preference for a heavier bullet. With a single shot I’d probably use FFg BP but 5744 will work just fine.
Mike
Thanks Mike. I probably will use one of the smokeless powders I use for the 45-90.
clarence said
Chuck said
I have a lot of 300 gr. bullets for the 45-90’s, 45-75, and the Colt 45-85-285 I shoot.I’d use what I had before going to the trouble to shop elsewhere.
I may end up doing just that but I was trying to avoid problems. I was hoping Bert would know the answer.
Chuck,
I’m going off memory here (not good) If I recall correctly the 1886’s chambered in 45-90 had 1-20 twist rate (300 gr. bullet) and the 86’s chambered in 45-70 were either 1-17 or 18 (405 grain bullet) Not to say they are the same for the 1885. Do you know the method of measuring your twist rate using a tight fitting patch on a cleaning rod, 3 pieces of scotch tape and a measuring tape. If not, send me a pm and I can explain it.
Erin
Chuck said
I was hoping Bert would know the answer.
There is no ONE answer. The US service load was 500 g., & weights in that range are still preferred in long range competition. Winchester ammo was loaded in 300, 405, & 500 g. weights, so they weren’t making barrels that would only shoot one weight.
Chuck,
The original Model 1885 high-walls made in 45-70 were made with a 1:22 rifling twist rate, optimum 405-grain loads. The 45-90 barrels were made with a 1:32 twist rate specifically for the lighter 300-gr express bullet.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. That is what I thought. I haven’t had any time to do much with this gun yet. Most of my spare time has been spent working on my mother’s house.
I think it all boils down to your intentions with the round.
My dad and brother like to load 550 grains for their cartridges for the Quigley Shoot in Montana. First year they went, they realized real quick the standard .405 grain bullet wasn’t going to cut the mustard. The wind will just take it and run with it, especially at 1,000 yards. They have some friends that load 575 grs, and I think one ol’ boy has some 600 grs loads. I’ll have to check with them and see if that is the top of the mark.
They’ve gone the last several years, but I’ve always had to work.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Chuck said
I recently found out I can shoot 45-70’s in Iowa for deer. Iowa is a shotgun state but you can use straight wall pistol calibers and for some reason the 45-70 was grandfathered on the approved list?
I forgot to mention the bullets have to be hollow points but I can handle that. Most hunting in Southern Iowa is in thick trees and brush. No long range shots. Although there is an occasion to shoot across a cut corn field or some soybeans. With my eyes 100 yds. is about my limit. I really think 405’s would be best for me because I can shoot these in some other guns too. My cheap side is showing.
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