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I have recently purchased a Winchester 1886 in 40-82 W.C.F. and haven’t been able to find much load data to use. I would like to start reloading but not sure where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions or any recommended loads they have used in their guns?
I have had good luck with a Winchester 1886 in 40-82 W.C.F. (replacement barrel) with 22 gr 4227 and lighter bullets made for the 41 Mag .410 dia 210 gr Hornady (2 styles available) I initially believed these would be too light, but was pleasantly surprised . best to slug your barrel in case this is too tight. I bought a mold for a 260 gr bullet ( forget mold # ) that a friend casts that doesnt work very well and a similar 260 gr hard cast from a commercial source that also isnt good
The case capacity is really large for using smokeless, but I was getting good ignition without using fillers with H4198 , Imr 4227 and 5744
But im sure that most will tell you that Black powder is best
Good Luck
Phil
Thanks Phil. I will consider you data. I did slug my bore and it is .408 diameter. I was thinking about using Hawk Bullets that are sized for the bore. I have used the Hawk bullet before for my other rifles and like the accuracy and how they perform. I suppose I will have to start with some published loads that I have found in print and proceed from there. Again thanks.
Nick
If you want published loads, then you might check out Ken Waters’ Pet Loads. He has three different loads. Also, Mike Venturino has some published loads for the 40-82 in Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West. His load is 25 grains of 5744 under either a 280 grain cast bullet or a DKT 260 grain JSP. The first gives a velocity of 1,394 fps and the second gives a velocity of 1,349. However, I find that the same load in different rifles gives different velocities. The original 40-82 smokeless load manufactured by Winchester sent a 260 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,490 fps, so you might wish to bump up Venturino’s load slightly, but use a chronograph to do it so that you can tell where you are at. 5744 gives a lower peak pressure than black powder all other things being equal, so you will be safe using 5744 to send a 260 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,490 fps.
has anyone been working up a 40-82 load using modern Winchester 86 using a brand-new modern barrel.I am looking to hot rod it to it’s full potential.
Phil–wanted to PM but your last name doesn’t come up.. Want to reload 40-82-260 with IMR 4198–how many grains do you use? Thanks Bill
Hi Bill I have an 86 40-82 with a new barrel (60’s ? ) I shot it quite abit with lighter bullets in the 230 range, I also had good results with the Hornady bullets 2 styles around 210 gr meant for 41 mag, 410 dia. I used both 5744 around 25 and was mild with these lighter bullets , but accurate. I did prefer H-4198 , but not having shot it in a while, and cant access my data for it right now , I better not comment on how many gr I used till I find targets, but less than these unverified loads ( also With my lighter bullets they were mild but good @200m)
http://www.reloadersnest.com/unverified_detail.asp?CaliberID=86&ID=6905
check the other loads here , but the one citing 45-70 parent brass is suspect ?(too short) typo? also click the rifle selection at the top of left margin for the complete Cal list
http://www.reloadersnest.com/rifle.asp
on this site which may be helpful for many vintage Win Cals, I find H-4198 to be a very versatile power range powder , that works well reduced as I try to do as a target shooter, not hunter, but often shown with stiffer hunting loads too. I dont use filler in summer and still get good results . I have some new cast Bullets to try out in the 250 gr range hopefully this summer I have used IMR- 4198 powder throughout the years with equal good results, but prefer the shorter grain H-4198 for its better metering
Phil
The general rule of thumb when using IMR-4198 in place of black powder is to use 40% of the number of black powder grains. In the case of the 40-82, that would be 32.8 grains. Personally, I would start with 31 grains and work it up slowly from there. Use a chronograph to test you loads, and when you reach the same velocity as the original black powder load, very slowly increase the load until you find the sweet spot on the accuracy.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi Bert sounds like a good ratio for very top loads. Sounds great for 45-70. It could be a trifle hot for 40-82, unless perfect cond gun , or new barrel and top power hunting load required. (but ratio too mild for some as 25-20 , 32-20)
For target shooting I believe you can safely ,significantly reduce either H , or IMR 4198, and still get great results and less kick
Certainly not disagreeing , just my perspective
Phil
I’ve been shooting a 40-82 Win 1886, dom 1892, for several years using 25 gr of 5744, with good results on the range. This load chronograph right at the original black powder velocity of ~1450 fps, a bit faster than Venturino reported. I load a gas checked 260 gr bullet from a custom Steve Brooks mold. To make the load legal to hunt with in Colorado I bump it to 1600+ fps with 27.5 gr.
Lot of different bore diameters, most around .409, not always. Slug it. Most early guns. BP, 3031, ball park, bout like .40 70 sharps, straight or BN, just more smoke. Not easy to load for, bored out swage dies, struggles. Pre CNN machining. Folks had to hand fit, work out the bugs, on their own, nuff said.
I have bought stretched brass over the years from a guy that I think has gone over. .45-70, lot of separations , multiple guns. Best we could get, he tried to supply it. Now we can get good brass, not cheep, not blowing the heads off unless junk guns.
Have 2 1886’s in 40-82 W.C.F. that I’m reloading for now. Both are DOM 1888. One slugs out to .408 and the other to .406. Have never fired these rifles but am now loading AA 5744 in .2 grain increments, starting at 24.0 and going up to 26.0 grains. RCBS 41-260 FN bullets sized to .408, Jamison new brass with correct headstamp.
Will post results once fired. Looking for best accuracy load within original velocities.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
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