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I’m new to the board. I have a model 1886 45-90. It’s been in my family since its purchase in 1888. It was professionally restored about 20 years ago and I fired it for the first time last year. I used some 45-70s and they appeared to fire well, but I have since been told not to use these as there can be some carbon build up that could cause issues later. So my questions are, can I shoot any 300gr. 45-90s? What about 500gr.? If I can shoot one or both of those, with a price of at least $60 per box of 20, is there someone who reloads these that someone can recommend. I would be open to learning to reload these myself. I’ve heard that a minimum startup cost would be about $200 for equipment plus materials. Is that about right? As this is a cherished item, I do not want to risk any harm to the rifle. Can anyone recommend a specific brand or supplier for shells? Any help would be greatly appreciated. – scott
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Scott,
Shooting 45-70 ammo in it will or can eventually cause chambering and extraction problems if you shift back to shooting 45-90 ammo and have not thoroughly cleaned the chamber.
Shooting 500-grain bullets in it will most likely result in a noticeable degradation in the accuracy. The rifling twist rate was designed for the 300-grain bullet. Shooting a much heavier bullet requires a different twist rate to optimixe accuracy.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The main reason for not firing a 45-70 cartridge in a 45-90 is the length
of the case. Overall case length for the 45-70 is 2.550 the OCL for the
45-90 is 2.88 The problem is these are tapered cases. The following
quote is directly out of a Winchester Catalog. Guns, however,chambered
for the .45-90 or .40-82 cartridges will carry those cartridges only, and no
others.
Bert: I have a couple of Questions I figure you can answer .
First. What was the rate of twist for the Model 1886 in 45-90 and were
they all the same.
Second: What was the rate of twist for the Model 1886 in 45-70. Were
they also all the same. The reason I ask is Winchester offered the 45-70
ammunition available with a 330 Gr. bullet and a 500 Gr. bullet.
The twist rate for the 45-90 was 1:32 for all rifles
The twist rate for the 45-70 was 1:22, and was the same for all rifles. The faster twist rate does not affect the accuracy of lighter bullets to the same extent as a heavy bullet in a slow twist rate.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
graitscott,
I have purchased 45-90 cartridges from Aardvark Laboratories out of Florida. He sells lots of his cartridges to Old Western Scrounger. Fairly reasonable at 35.00 per box and they shoot well. Ive been buying them to shoot and to also save the brass for later reloading–if I ever get the opportunity. He has them in several bullet weights but I stick with the 300 or 325 grn bullets.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Thanks to all who replied. The information is very helpful.
A little tid bit, 45-70 was offered by winchester in 140, 200, 230, 235, 249, 330, 350, and the standard 405 and 500.
What is really interesting is that they offered 45-82 & 45-85 cartridges in the 2.4" case for 45-90. On the boxes of 45-82-405 and 45-85-350 it specifically states "chambered for the 45-90 cartridge and marked on barrel 45-90W.C.F."
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
A little hobby of mine is collecting vintage photos of people with guns and hunting photos. I especially like the photos of people holding Winchesters but like all types of guns.
I wish I could tell you some nice story about it being my Great Grandfather or something like that but that is not the case.
I came across a guy online that sells lots of Vintage Patina Old type photos and this was one of them. He simply had it listed as a vintage hunting photo and didn’t have much Information about the photo.
The reason I purchased it and like it some much also is the fact that the gentlemen is prominently wearing his hunting gear with waders and gun belt on. And if you know your Winchester shotguns well, you will notice that the gun he is holding is a model 93 and not a 97. If you look closely you can see the distinctive model 93 notch in the receiver.
You don’t see too many vintage photos of the model 93 due too its low production and it being recalled. I imagine such a photo is some what a rarity, even though not that highly valuable, I think its really "neat".
A while back I also came across a Flatside Model 95 with a Lyman receiver sight, which was Identical too a rifle my old man has. I just had too have it and give it to my father. It could of quite possibly been the rifle pictured but we will never know. As such the history of most Winchesters out there. And there is the old saying "If this gun could talk".
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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