40-82 questions

[zymguy]

what cartridge do the expensive RCBS case forming dies intend for user to start with?
I belive its common to go from 308 to 358 without case forming dies , as its a simlar 5 hundreths of an inch can i convert Starline available 45-90 to 40-82 without the case forming dies but with care with my standard 3 die set ?

Black powder , Trail boss, triple seven, IMR 4227, IMR 5744 H4198 ? what powder should i start with?

Ive a few projects going on and its getting close to hunting so this will be mostly finding brass and internet amusement, not likely to hit the range till spring .
There are several old threads on 40-82 surely theres still a few around this group =)
Ben

[sharps4590]

I've had an '86 in 40-82 I guess for close to 25 years. Back then I bought Bertram brass which needed worked down to fit my rifle. As both the 40-82 and 45-90 are 2.4, as evidently you've learned, I don't see why necking down the Starline brass straight in the 40-82 die wouldn't work. It's a fairly big step but I think if you're careful and find the right technique it should work. At least it will get you cases. It's possible the neck might be too thick but that's an easy fix these days.

Way back when I got my rifle Venturino had just done an article on the cartridge. The smokeless load he settled on was 34 grs. of IMR-3031 with a filler. I don't remember for certain but knowing me I expect I started at about 30 grs. and worked up to the 34 with an open cell foam filler. It's worked well for a long time. However, today there is available powders that should work as good if not better. AA5744 first comes to mind with Trailboss another choice. I never tried anything other than 3031 so can't speak to 4198 or 4227. Cool old cartridge and the one I took my first wild boar with. It worked just fine.

[Reverend Al]

I also had an '86 rifle in .40-82 WCF, it was a beautiful gun with an octagon rapid taper lightweight barrel. I also used Venturino's article to get mine shooting to it's potential. That big case without fillers using smokeless powders caused hang fires and tumbling even at 25 yards exactly as Mike had described in his article. When I tried Mike's "improved" load (I believe it was 35.0 grains of IMR3031?) with a filler my rifle starting shooting nice round 2" to 2 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I used reformed .45-90 brass using a regular set of RCBS .40-82 WCF dies and the Lyman 240 grain .40 calibre mould. Just anneal the 45-90 case mouths first, take your time (sizing in small steps) to bring the necks down from .45 to 40, and I swear by Imperial sizing wax to do the job. I never found the need for an expensive set of forming dies.

Sadly, I let that wonderful old '86 go years ago when someone paid me way, WAY more than I paid for it, but my current .40-82 WCF is a very sincere 1885 Hi Wall Winchester made in 1889 that I found and bought about 2 years ago. (Thank goodness I kept my dies and mould when I sold the '86!) It shoots well with the same load.





Good luck with your project rifle!

[bob208]

one of my 86's is a special order heavy octagon barrel in .40-82. shot a box of shells through it and it has been hanging around ever since. just found it in the pile the other day I will have to get it out and play with it now that I have time.

[Randy Bohannon]

Captech has 40-82 brass for the 1885 Win. in stock at this time, good brass.
http://www.captechintl.com/proddetai...=4082WIN100pcs

[sharpshooter3040]

I built a roller in 40-82 I use starling 45-90 brass in one swipe. Need to inside neck ream and your good to go


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[Buckshot]

..............I easily converted 45-70 to 40-65 so I'd think that 45-90 to 40-82 would be the same. For me, I found the best way was to run the donor cases through the die in 4 passes. I did do a few in one pass, but the effort was a bunch. Even better was the next batch I altered I also did in 4 passes, but before the last I annealed the case mouths. YMMV

..............Buckshot