45-70 in a 45-90?

litetrigger

May 21, 2014 14:42

I wonder if you can shoot a 45-70 in a 45-90 1886 Winchester?

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  charliemeyer007

  May 21, 2014 14:49

  It will work for sure as a single shot. Might feed ok depends on the loaded bullet. Clean the chamber when done just like 38 Specials in a 357. 45-60 would work too.

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  rufe-snow

  May 21, 2014 14:58

  I'm not altogether sure? But I believe that the 45-90, was one of the so called black powder express cartridges. These utilized a lighter bullet, with slower twist barrel for higher velocities.
  
  A standard 400 to 500 grain 45-70 bullet, might have degraded accuracy? Fired from a slow twist barrel, meant for the lighter express bullet loads.

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  Hawk Carse

  May 21, 2014 16:54

  This used to be commonly done.
  It is not unsafe, but as said, accuracy with a 405 gr bullet jumping .3" to the start of a slow rifling twist meant for a 300 is not likely to be good.
  If you just want to say you have shot Grandpa's Gun a few times, it might might get you by, but for regular use, there is no excuse not to buy full length brass and 300 gr bullets.
  A friend has one that is very accurate with good ammo.

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  yoshmyster

  May 22, 2014 10:02

  I'd just under load the 45-90 to 45-70 level or somewhere in between. Don't forget the grits.

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  v35

  May 22, 2014 11:24

  I had a lot of experience shooting blue label US Govt black powder ammo
  in a deluxe 86 45-90 as a kid when that ammo was cheap.
  Notwithstanding chamber lengths and barrel lengths it regularly outshot two buddies' new condition 45-70 Springfields at a 100 yd range.
  We all tried it and the '86 came out winner every time.
  Today it would be insanity as the Govt ammo was corrosive.

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