40-65 thoughts

D

Dana C

New member
I may have the opportunity to pick up a 40-65 with an original 1866 action and a new barrel, furniture etc. The barrel is new high end barrel.
How does the 40-65 measure up to other caliblers in BPCR competitions in both mid and long range.
I have had other calibers but this would be new to me.
 
Hello, Dana C..Uh, do you mean 86' or perhaps 85' action? the 66 was rimfire. The .40-65 is one of the most popular ctgs. for BPCR, it is accurate, with low recoil, but probably the fact that it can be made by running common .45-70 brass through a .40-65 full length sizer is where it's true popularity comes from.
 
Hello again, Dana C. Just had a thought...When you said it had been re-barreled, did they use the original twist rate that Winchester used: 1-38" or the more modern faster ones the BPCR boys are using to throw 400 gr or so bullets out to 500m? When Winchester developed this ctg., it was common to copy the British system of "express" cartridges...a lighter weight bullet, in this case 260gr. with a relatively heavy powder charge, for a flat trajectory out to around 150-200yds.
 
the 40-65 is to long to fit in a 66 action. Ideal Tool has the right idea, maybe an 86, 85 or even a 76(its action is like the 66 only longer)but I believe it shot a 40-60. anyway I had an 86 in 40-65 and used the 45-70 brass and had good luck with cast bullets out to 150 yds. I used mine to hunt with and not for target shooting .
 
Since we don't know what you really have, it is hard to say.

My Browning BPCR .40-65 is a fine midrange and silhouette rifle with its faster-than-1886 twist and 400 grain bullets. Careful choice of bullet and load would make it usable at long range. It is the equivalent of the .40-70 Sharps Straight in common basic brass. I use Starline with proper headstamp but there is a lot of necked down .45-70 out there.

I think a repeater like 1886 even with fast twist barrel for heavy bullets would be at a disadvantage in target shooting.
 
The description from the seller is as follows: 623 Gemmer-Springfield trapdoor rifle in 40-65 caliber built on 1869 marked black powder only action with new octagon 40-65 barrel by Kelly. AAA grade Bridger Hawken style stock with iron furniture and silver trim. POR

I have gotten a bunch of feedback and feel that the trapdoor is not really going to do it. It is also a bunch of money. I think I am going to pick up a Pedersoli Gibbs ML first and start the the hunt for a BPCR after the first of the year.

I would kind of like to compete just for fun and your suggestions about what rifle, caliber etc would be appreciated. Before being poor, I have owned a C Sharps in 45-90, a couple Browning's both 45-70 and a couple of others as well. When the economy and the mortgage business went south, so did just about everything I own.

....and no I didn't cause the mortgage meltdown:cool::D
 
I am sure it is a real beauty but there is not enough information there for me to know what it will actually do. Probably expensive, anyhow.

I think the Pedersoli Gibbs will be fun to work with, but I'll stick to the britchloaders.
 
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