Hi one and all, I have an original Winchester 1886 in 40/65, manufactured / received in the warehouse on March the 14th, 1894. The octagonal barrel has no markings to suggest nickel steel. The bore is good and the rifle was recently proofed at the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House, "nitro for black" which means using a smokeless load that would generate the same pressures as 65gr of black powder plus 25-30%. However, I do not know what powder they used, nor the load, and this information was not forthcoming.
I would like to recommission this rifle and shoot it every now and then. I do have an original Winchester bullet mould that is in excellent condition and casts a 259gr bullet head in lead alloy with a Brinell hardness number of 12-15.
I could use black powder, but would also be grateful for any advice anyone might have to offer as to smokeless loads for the original bullet. We have a very limited range of powder options here in the UK but most Vihtavuori powders are available. I use N130 for 45/70 with decent results.
Does anyone have any experience of shooting this calibre, using the 260gr cast bullet with smokeless, using VV N130?
Kind regards
Mike
