I was wondering if jacketed bullets hurt anything on an old rifle. People have told me to just shoot cast, which iv’e been doing for years through my 86. I was just wondering if I could find nice jacketed bullets to shoot, could I?
Will It use up the barrel more? I shoot wheel weights now, the bullets are still pretty hard.
I keep the fps at factory spec about 1500.
I own an original Remington box of 40-82 and they have jacketed SP. But that’s way after the 1800’s if im correct. Its an old Remington dog bone box, not in super condition but I wanted a box so bad so my Girlfriend bought me one for Christmas 2 years ago. Paid alot for it even in that condition.
That being said, my rifle was made in 1888-89, before the fancy nickel steel barrels.
Jacket bullets will not hurt the gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Kev18 said
Alright, is it true that if the factory fps is around 1500. Anything higher will shoot out the barrel? Im not an expert on ballistics or metallurgy.
Not a question of “shooting out the barrel,” which is nothing to worry about unless you’re planning to shoot many thousands of rounds, but of raising chamber pressures too high by excessive loads. Can’t talk about velocity without talking about bullet weight–a heavy bullet always creates more pressure than a light one.
Well i dont want to shoot crazy velocities. Maybe 1800fps. Just bump it up abit.
You wouldn’t say there is any danger for the barrel? People have said there is but with no explanation. I go to the cottage on weekends and shoot Max 20 rounds with that rifle. I walk around in the woods with it alot.
I’ve owned it now for about 5 years and with all the load testing I did. I probably shot about 200-300 rounds.
I would just like to crank up the fps abit. Give it alittle more power. I’m aware of the increasing pressure.
I have Clyde’s book.Bought it when it first came out.Had a couple of telephone conversations with Clyde,back in the day.An interesting man ,with lots of Winchester loading knowledge.Always willing to pass along Winchester loading information and talk Winchester .We lost him way too early.:(
If you are into Winchester loading ,the book is well worth the investment ,in my opinion.You will find yourself going to it more often than you think you will.
You guys will sure think im going to hell because you all have great rifles. My 1886 wasnt collector grade and had alot of pitting and rust. Its still my first rifle I bought with my own money in college. And my go to rifle. Its my favorite.
I decided to restore it. I hand sanded all the rust and browned the receiver. Took a long time but I like the color now. I didn’t want it to get eaten away.
I think that looks better than bluing or CC. If it was dark before, I might have just froze the process and left it. But once you commit, then yes, that browning looks great!
P.S. That’s the way I like my wood, too. Looks like a rifle is supposed to look, in my subjective eye.
Nice old rifle.If it is your favourite,it does not matter what some one else thinks.As some onr once said about their rifle,”It may not be the best.but its the best I ‘ve got”.
My favourite is one of my Model 64 Deer Rifles.However, it is not the one in the best condition, that I have.It does have quite a bit of bluing and finish left ,but it was used quite a lot by the original owner.The heart wants,what the heart wants.
November 7, 2015

Kev-
I’m glad you pulled the trigger on Williamson’s book. A couple of things to keep in mind: it’s an older book and some powders have changed a bit. Also In my experience his max loads are MAX. They are not a good place to start. If your bore is a bit in the rough side jacketed bullets may be a good idea.
I haven’t had the opportunity to experience the 40-82, care to tell us a little about your adventures loading for this rifle? FWIW I think you made the right call with the receiver on this rifle, all things considered. I have a few high condition guns but none of those have the character of my shooters, or the ones I call “beaters”. Your gun’s got character, Kev. If you like it, I like it. Shoot it and have fun with it. That’s what it’s all about, IMHO.
Mike
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