November 7, 2015

TR said
I think the 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth a fair bit more than a 45-70 with the same features. T/R
I agree, except in the unlikely event that I would shoot it or take it hunting. Then I would prefer the grand old 45-70. 45-90 is strictly a BP cartridge for me and the bullets I load for my Sharps would probably not be happy in an 1886.
Mike
TXGunNut said
TR said
I think the 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth a fair bit more than a 45-70 with the same features. T/R
I agree, except in the unlikely event that I would shoot it or take it hunting. Then I would prefer the grand old 45-70. 45-90 is strictly a BP cartridge for me and the bullets I load for my Sharps would probably not be happy in an 1886.
Mike
I certainly agree. If you’re shooting smokeless powder, there is no advantage of the .45-90 over the .45-70. Less, actually, as you end up with more unused space in the .45-90 case.
steve004 said
TXGunNut said
TR said
I think the 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth a fair bit more than a 45-70 with the same features. T/R
I agree, except in the unlikely event that I would shoot it or take it hunting. Then I would prefer the grand old 45-70. 45-90 is strictly a BP cartridge for me and the bullets I load for my Sharps would probably not be happy in an 1886.
Mike
I certainly agree. If you’re shooting smokeless powder, there is no advantage of the .45-90 over the .45-70. Less, actually, as you end up with more unused space in the .45-90 case.
Other than increased speed and less recoil with the 300 grain bullet.
Chuck said
steve004 said
TXGunNut said
TR said
I think the 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth a fair bit more than a 45-70 with the same features. T/R
I agree, except in the unlikely event that I would shoot it or take it hunting. Then I would prefer the grand old 45-70. 45-90 is strictly a BP cartridge for me and the bullets I load for my Sharps would probably not be happy in an 1886.
Mike
I certainly agree. If you’re shooting smokeless powder, there is no advantage of the .45-90 over the .45-70. Less, actually, as you end up with more unused space in the .45-90 case.
Other than increased speed and less recoil with the 300 grain bullet.
Chuck – are you making a comparison between the .45-70 and the .45-90 at the time the .45-90 was introduced? This would be back when the standard .45-70 load was 405 grains and the .45-90 load was 300 grains. I shoot both .45-70 and .45-90 and virtually everything I shoot is with my own handloads. I don’t shoot blackpowder. I would never put more smokeless powder in a .45-70 case than I would a .45-90 case. The .45-70 case is capable of handing so much smokeless powder – to the point that such top loads are safe to shoot only in an action like a Ruger No. 1. I shoot 300 grain bullets in both my .45-70 and .45-90 (lead and jacketed). However, I gave up shooting lead bullets in my .45-90 due to the marginal bore condition. In my Bullard and Remington-Keene .45-70’s I shoot only lead bullets. My M1886 .45-70 sees very little activity due to its high condition. My take on it is that unless you are shooting black powder, the .45-90 case has a lot of wasted space.
For the record I am not a reloader in any way, so my comment is just mine. But Bill stratton gave me a handful that he made and he mentioned a particular powder, smokeless mind you that fills up the case, doesn’t require a filler, and shoots quite well out of my 45-90’s. Maybe he’ll chime in here.
November 7, 2015

Chuck is right, as usual. I just like to give 45-90 fans a hard time because most want to use smokeless powder. As loaded for the early 1886 the 45-90 was an Express cartridge and it did indeed deliver higher speed and lower recoil due to more BP and a lighter bullet. I have a Lyman mould that makes Gould’s fine bullet for this cartridge waiting in the wings in case I’m fortunate enough to own a nice 1886 in 45-90 someday. In theory a good 45-70 could shoot this bullet as fast as a 45-90 using modern powders but the rifling is apparently not optimal in bores intended for heavier bullets. OTOH my current 45-90 was built with BP, much heavier bullets and distant steel rams in mind; one bullet I cast drops at about 500 grains. I occasionally use it to bounce virgin 20-1 lead off a certain steel Buffalo at 1123 yards.
Mike
steve004 said
Chuck said
steve004 said
TXGunNut said
TR said
I think the 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth a fair bit more than a 45-70 with the same features. T/R
I agree, except in the unlikely event that I would shoot it or take it hunting. Then I would prefer the grand old 45-70. 45-90 is strictly a BP cartridge for me and the bullets I load for my Sharps would probably not be happy in an 1886.
Mike
I certainly agree. If you’re shooting smokeless powder, there is no advantage of the .45-90 over the .45-70. Less, actually, as you end up with more unused space in the .45-90 case.
Other than increased speed and less recoil with the 300 grain bullet.
Chuck – are you making a comparison between the .45-70 and the .45-90 at the time the .45-90 was introduced? This would be back when the standard .45-70 load was 405 grains and the .45-90 load was 300 grains. I shoot both .45-70 and .45-90 and virtually everything I shoot is with my own handloads. I don’t shoot blackpowder. I would never put more smokeless powder in a .45-70 case than I would a .45-90 case. The .45-70 case is capable of handing so much smokeless powder – to the point that such top loads are safe to shoot only in an action like a Ruger No. 1. I shoot 300 grain bullets in both my .45-70 and .45-90 (lead and jacketed). However, I gave up shooting lead bullets in my .45-90 due to the marginal bore condition. In my Bullard and Remington-Keene .45-70’s I shoot only lead bullets. My M1886 .45-70 sees very little activity due to its high condition. My take on it is that unless you are shooting black powder, the .45-90 case has a lot of wasted space.
I shoot both the 45-70 and 45-90 with smokeless powder to factory specs as far as the FPS goes. I use a 300 grain bullet in the 45-90 and a 405 grain in the 45-70. Believe me the 405 bullet causes quite a bit more recoil.
I like shooting the 45-90 with a 300gr Remington JHP with smokeless at original velocity. They shoot accurate without the kick and I have a lot of the bullets. I enjoy shooting mine.
The 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth more than a 45-70 because it is rare and people are willing to pay a premium. If it was an older standard rifle maybe no difference in price. T/R
November 7, 2015

I’d forgotten about that 300gr RP bullet, TR! It worked great in the 45-70 too. Their 405gr bullet was outstanding as well but didn’t lend itself to extended shooting sessions.
Mike
TR said
I like shooting the 45-90 with a 300gr Remington JHP with smokeless at original velocity. They shoot accurate without the kick and I have a lot of the bullets. I enjoy shooting mine.The 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth more than a 45-70 because it is rare and people are willing to pay a premium. If it was an older standard rifle maybe no difference in price. T/R
That’s the bullet I use in my .45-70. It shoots very well (i.e. given the marginal bore).
steve004 said
TR said
I like shooting the 45-90 with a 300gr Remington JHP with smokeless at original velocity. They shoot accurate without the kick and I have a lot of the bullets. I enjoy shooting mine.
The 45-90 caliber in that configuration is worth more than a 45-70 because it is rare and people are willing to pay a premium. If it was an older standard rifle maybe no difference in price. T/R
That’s the bullet I use in my .45-90. It shoots very well (i.e. given the marginal bore).
oldcrankyyankee said
For the record I am not a reloader in any way, so my comment is just mine. But Bill stratton gave me a handful that he made and he mentioned a particular powder, smokeless mind you that fills up the case, doesn’t require a filler, and shoots quite well out of my 45-90’s. Maybe he’ll chime in here.
I wonder if the powder used was Trailboss? I’m scratching my head otherwise as I can’t think of a smokeless powder that would be safely fill the .45-90 case.
I’m a big fan of the express calibers loaded with black powder. Although I don’t have a 45 90 I do have a 40 82 that I’m fond of shooting. Light bullet and lots of powder and reasonable recoil. Much more pleasant than a 45 70. Express rounds aren’t as accurate at distance, but 100 to 200 yards is about all my eyesight will allow anyway.
I use 5744 in all my 86 loads, thanks to Mike Venturino and John Madl. You do not need a filler as 5744 is fast burning.
I load on the low end of Hogdons range as I only shoot paper and want an excuse to smell the Hoppes #9.
I only load lead and for 45-90 use 35 grains of 5744 and a 300 grain bullet. I will shoot a jacketed bullet last to help remove lead.
The 40-82, 45-90 and 50-110 is the reason I use 5744, no filler. So I shoot it in all my 86 loads as well as 32-40 and 38-55.
If you want my load data email me at [email protected]–Thanks Bill
I agree that there are lot of smokeless powders that can be used in the .45-90 – without a filler. However, that doesn’t mean the case has been filled to the base of the bullet – as it is with a full black powder load. I have never used fillers. I shoot IMR 4198 in my .45-90. Back when I still had a supply, I used the discontinued Pyrodex CTG small pellet style powder.
Chuck said
I always use toilet paper as a filler. Not compressed but it ensures all the powder is next to the primer.
Lots of folks do that. I use 5744 and 4198 and so far, knock on wood, haven’t had any issues without a filler. I have read guys that use a filler get less SD but I don’t have a chrono so what I don’t know hasn’t hurt me.
oldcrankyyankee said
For the record I am not a reloader in any way, so my comment is just mine. But Bill stratton gave me a handful that he made and he mentioned a particular powder, smokeless mind you that fills up the case, doesn’t require a filler, and shoots quite well out of my 45-90’s. Maybe he’ll chime in here.
Gents I am sorry for the above statement regarding the that the powder fills the case. I clearly misunderstood Bill when he said it didn’t require a filler. just shows my naivety of reloading. But they shoot well in my guns anyway.
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