45-90 load help

A

arnoldr45

Inactive
Howdy everyone.

I'm picking up new Winchester 1886 in 45-90. I've been doing some reading up on it, and supposedly you can treat it just like a 458 win mag.

Here's the thing though, this is going to be a serious hunting rifle up north.
I want to be able to single load something like a 350gr-450gr TS or TTSX bullet for longer ranges on a caribou or sheep, and load a 400+ stomper like an a frame for Yogi.

I'm looking at a pretty serious investment in components, so I'm hoping someone can lend a little wisdom here on what type of powders seem to do best with the Barnes TTSX or triple shock copper bullets, as well as the heavy a frames.

I'm completely ignorant of the ballistic capabilities of the heavy 45 within the reloading world. I'm sold on it though, I just love big heavy bullets and lever actions.
am I just being a dunce here? Should I just learn to drop that heavy a frame onto a bou at 400 yards? I just cant imagine it doing better than a nice pointed bullet at that range.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
I'm picking up new Winchester 1886 in 45-90. I've been doing some
reading up on it, and supposedly you can treat it just like a 458 win mag.
Click to expand...
Not -- repeat NOT -- in an 1886 action.

458 WinMag runs 62,000 psi (vice CUP), the 1886 tops out at 50ksi ABSOLUTE MAX (per Paco Kelly), while other real manuals cite 40ksi Max, and the bulk say stick to loads in the 28-30ksi range,

Where did you find someone/something that said treat it like a 458 WinMag ?
 
There is NOTHING about the 45-90 that allows it to "treat it lust like a 458 Win mag". I have no idea where you read that, but it's completely wrong. The caliber of the ammo has absolutely nothing to do with the ability of the gun it's being shot out of to withstand the pressure. It appears that you don't have any understanding about reloading or you wouldn't even make that statement. The fact that the 45-90 can hold more powder than the 45-70 is only due to the fact that back when both of these cartridges were black powder only the 45-90 could hold more powder when being shot in low pressure black cartridge rifles. In today's world you see very few 45-90 rifles being shot at any competitions because they offer nothing over the 45-70 when being shot with modern smokeless powders. Before you blow your gun up or seriously injure yourself you'd better get some form of education on reloading. You're either going to lose some fingers, eyes, or your life if you try experiments like this. I wouldn't be sure the 45-90 case could withstand the pressure of the round even if fired in a Ruger #1. The case itself may not be thick enough in the critical areas. I'd have to check to see by looking at the case dimensions....and I'm not that interested in this experiment. If you are, check out the case itself before you start and find a gun that will take the pressure of the load. I can tell you for a fact that this cartridge was not designed to do that. If you want a 458mag, buy one.
 
To the OP: Now that you've been thoroughly warned (please heed the warnings!) congratulations on your new 1886. Now to load it. Forget about jacketed bullets. And, for safety's sake, forget about anything but a flat nose. Tubular magazine, you know. Check Buffalo Arms for supplies. Think 500 grain cast bullets over as much FFg or a substitute (I like Alliant Black MZ) you can fit under your bullet and an over-powder wad. Maybe a lube "cookie" if you're loading true black. I can fit 65 gr BMZ in a modern solid head 45-70 case.

There are good books on loading blackpowder cartridges. Read and ask before you dive in. You will end up with a powerful rifle, but nowhere near the range and terminal performance of modern arms.
 
The .45-70 and .45-90 can be loaded to levels approaching the .458 Win Mag...

But that does NOT mean that those loads can be shot in all firearms that chamber those rounds.

Virtually all "hot magnum lite loads" for the .45-70 were developed for the Ruger Number 1 and Number 3 single shot rifles, NOT an 1886 Winchester (even a newly made one) or, God forbid, a Trapdoor.

In your 1886 stick with ballistics more closely matching traditional loads that were suitable for that rifle and stop thinking of the cartridge as a .458 analog.
 
Lyman has data for .45-90 and cast bullets, but really .45x2.4" Sharps and OALs likely too long for a repeater.
Ken Waters did a Pet Loads covering both versions.
 
Trajectory is what, good for 100 yards max?
...Lyman has data for .45-90 and cast bullets...
Click to expand...
Using Lyman 45-90 data/cast 400gr/2.8" OAL --> 1,900fps

...which is point blank ±6" out to 235yds (QuickTartget ballsistics for Lyman's listed cast #457643/LOS 1" above bore.
(Brutal recoil in a straight stock/hard buttplate to be sure... but then we're "hunting" ... right ? ;) :rolleyes: )

The Old Ones are a LOT more competent than we "youngsters" like to admit.
(But don't push it) :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top