1885 405 win

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Last Post 02 January 2011

Standard Member

Rifle 57 posted this 01 January 2011

Has anybody had any luck with BP in the 1885 405 win high wall with a 14 twist and lead bullets. I thought I might try it if it will work.

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10 Comments

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Standard Member

redball 2 posted this 01 January 2011

Isn't the 405 winchester almost the same case as the 40-70 sharps straight?

Jim Wilcox

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Standard Member

Rifle 57 posted this 01 January 2011

Yes it is but I am not sure that the 14 twist barrel will work ok. I think most of the 40-70 ss had 20 twist barrels?

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Standard Member

rmrix posted this 01 January 2011

The 1885 Win with a 14 twist barrel? Where did this come from? Must be a new Miroku made rifle maybe? Does it have a light barrel?

You have a gem if it is made with a good chamber and good barrel!

A 14T barrel will shoot a 1.25” to 1.4” bullet well. Think bullets 3.90gr to 440gr.

Black Powder will work fine. The405 Win is the smokless 40-72win BP and basic twin to the 40-70-2.5” Sharps except for length.

A number of BPCR match riflemen use it in one or the other variations. I have two 40-70SS rifles. One with a Green Mtn barrel at 14.5T and a Highwall / Lilja 13T barrel. Can be very Accurate with BP.

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Standard Member

Rifle 57 posted this 01 January 2011

Yes it is the new Miroku 1885 win sporter with 24 in barrel. I have a Lyman #412263 300 grn rn mould and I am waiting for a .412 sizing die so I can get started making some bullets.

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Standard Member

rmrix posted this 02 January 2011

Nice

A hard hitter too when loaded up with white powder. But you know that.

Likely better accuracy can be had with BP by using a longer bullet than the 300gr. something 400 and more would make it shoot to the longer ranges. the 300 will be fine for inside the 200y for can shooting.

have fun with it.

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Standard Member

Rifle 57 posted this 02 January 2011

Michael I would have to agree with you. I might end up getting a custom mould in 400 grn from Hoch, Brooks or someone else maybe. Thanks for all of the replys.

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Standard Member

StrawHat posted this 02 January 2011

I know from experience that the Lyamn 412263 is not at it's finest when launched with black powder, at least not from my 1895. If the magazine will take the longer bullet, I may have to revisit the idea but use a longer bullet. Never thought about the 400s, now I have to find some.

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CBA Regional Director

Tom Acheson posted this 02 January 2011

The nominal case length for 405 Win is 2.583". I bought (100) and they averaged 2.570-2.575". I trial and error-ed trimming until they would chamber (empty) in a 74 Sharps chambered in .40-70 SS. The 30” Badger barrel is a 1:16 twist. Yes, the original 40-70 SS's had 1:20 twists. For bullets the Saeco # 740 (410-gr.) would be a good start. I have that and a Brooks Creedmore 415-grain. Both shoot well. The Brooks has the front two bands smaller in dia. than the rest so it extends farther out of the case than the Saeco does, when chambered to touch the lands. Swiss 1 1/2 seems to be the preferred powder by this rifle but Goex Cartridge isn't too bad either. Don't overlook trying the FC 215 Mag. Match primer (if you can find them).

Tom

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Standard Member

redball 2 posted this 02 January 2011

I have a browning BPCR 40-65 and it shoots better than I can with the saeco 740, I lube it with a .408 die.

My friend dick Foster has a 40-70 Shilo sharps that i have messed with and never did get what I thought the best results even with a brooks bullet.

I think your concern about using black in a 14 inch twist isn't a problem. as I understand the faster the twist the more black fouls. my 40-65 is 16 inch twist and no problem. when you clean after every shot it won't matter I believe.

Just try it!

Jim Wilcox