This 1886 in 45-90 left the Winchester factory in 1892. It sat hidden and forgotten in an abandoned logging camp for about 30 years. In the 1950’s the barrel was cut from 24” to 21.75”. Gun was in tough shape, a junker really, pitted, gouges in stock, etc. In the 1960’s my Dad turned it into the beautiful gun in the photo which include the birch inlays, pit removal, nickel plating and re-bluing. Was a wall hanger, as intended by prettying it up, into the 1990’s when it went into a gun safe. Was gifted to me in 2023 along with 12 live rounds and 14 empty cases from the 1940’s. A total of 4 factory rounds were fired in the gun in 60 years, from the 1960’s through 2023.
The factory loads were 300 grain jacketed soft flat points over 25 grains of powder, probably Hercules 2400 powder. In July 2023 several family members from 3 generations shot the remaining 12 factory rounds. All 12 rounds had the jacket separate from the lead mid flight, basically junk, from galvanic corrosion between the copper jacket and lead, probably.
The real point of this thread is to help others that want to handload 45-90. A search of THR doesn’t turn up much. I wanted a slower recoil using a smokeless powder that filled the case. Vihtavouri N-135 was on hand and I knew it would behave like IMR-4064 for the 45-90 cartridge. Here are published 45-70 loads for Sierra 300 grain JHP Pro Hunter bullet. Same loads in 45-90 are less pressure due to longer case.
To start safe, I tried 60 grains of N-135 with Sierra 300 grain JHP. Failure. Velocities all over from 1500 to 1700 FPS, unburnt powder, not enough pressure. Next tried 65 grains. Success! Low velocity spreads, good groups from the old 1886. Primers just barely starting to back out to kiss the bolt face. Slower but slightly bigger recoil push as compared to my 1892 in 45 Colt, 300 grain bullet with 23 grains of H-110.
45-90 Express Handload
300 grain Sierra Pro Hunter jacketed hollow point
65.0 grains Vihtavouri N-135 powder, about 1/8” gap in case between top of powder and bottom of bullet.
CCI-200 primer
Loaded cartridge length 2.840” for 100% function in 1886 chambered in 45-90, case mouth at bullet cannelure.
Estimated 27,000 psi pressure
Measured 1950 fps average velocity from 21.75” barrel
An iron sighted 100 yard group. One day I will draw an Utah bison tag, and the bison will fall to this 1886.
The factory loads were 300 grain jacketed soft flat points over 25 grains of powder, probably Hercules 2400 powder. In July 2023 several family members from 3 generations shot the remaining 12 factory rounds. All 12 rounds had the jacket separate from the lead mid flight, basically junk, from galvanic corrosion between the copper jacket and lead, probably.
The real point of this thread is to help others that want to handload 45-90. A search of THR doesn’t turn up much. I wanted a slower recoil using a smokeless powder that filled the case. Vihtavouri N-135 was on hand and I knew it would behave like IMR-4064 for the 45-90 cartridge. Here are published 45-70 loads for Sierra 300 grain JHP Pro Hunter bullet. Same loads in 45-90 are less pressure due to longer case.
To start safe, I tried 60 grains of N-135 with Sierra 300 grain JHP. Failure. Velocities all over from 1500 to 1700 FPS, unburnt powder, not enough pressure. Next tried 65 grains. Success! Low velocity spreads, good groups from the old 1886. Primers just barely starting to back out to kiss the bolt face. Slower but slightly bigger recoil push as compared to my 1892 in 45 Colt, 300 grain bullet with 23 grains of H-110.
45-90 Express Handload
300 grain Sierra Pro Hunter jacketed hollow point
65.0 grains Vihtavouri N-135 powder, about 1/8” gap in case between top of powder and bottom of bullet.
CCI-200 primer
Loaded cartridge length 2.840” for 100% function in 1886 chambered in 45-90, case mouth at bullet cannelure.
Estimated 27,000 psi pressure
Measured 1950 fps average velocity from 21.75” barrel
An iron sighted 100 yard group. One day I will draw an Utah bison tag, and the bison will fall to this 1886.
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