40-90 problems need advice

[wyoduster]

Just got this Shiloh Sharps 40-90ss .. and bought some Bell brass and dies.. Was going to load some last night.. and even sized they(the brass) won't fit in the gun ..they slide 3/4 way in and stop. The brass just seems too big... even sized.. Now what?? need help. ?????????????

[concho]

They are chambered 405 Basic Winchester Brass, I have one since mid 80's long range express , contact me if you need more help ?

[Don McDowell]

You might want to call Shiloh and ask them what the proper basic brass is for that cartridge. There's a couple of different variations on it, and I don't think either uses the long skinny stuff of the original.

[concho]

They are 405 Basic Brass, 3.1/4 " Long 3.250 " I have one !

[Bent Ramrod]

Before it was possible to get .40-90 SS brass from Bertram, Shiloh was chambering rifles in what was called ".40-90 Shiloh Sharps Straight." This used the .405 Basic case, which had a smaller head and a thicker rim than the original .40-90SS cases.

Now of course you can get the real .40-90 SS brass. Unfortunately, most outfits have dropped the proprietary "Shiloh" part of the monicker and guns wind up with chambers that allow the real .40-90SS shells to only go 3/4ths of the way in. Reamer rental places are very remiss about this, typically advertising a .40-90SS reamer and sending you a .40-90 Shiloh-marked reamer. If you've already laid in a stock of real .40-90 brass, it's not a pleasant surprise.

Check and see if an empty .30-40 case will fully seat into your chamber. If so, you have the chamber made for .405 Basic brass.

You may be able to sell your brass and buy or trade for the .405 Basic. Unfortunately, even if real .40-90 reamers were available for rent (they aren't last I checked), once the Shiloh chamber is run to full depth, you can't clean it up fully with the original spec reamer since the cartridge rim seat is too deep.

[wyoduster]

ok just ordered a box of 20 from Buffalo arms... 405 basic.. lets hope they work.
I did put a 40-70/30-40krag in there and they go in perfect.
Thanks now we wait............tic...tic....tic......

[longranger]

I had brass issues with my Shiloh 40-70SS using the stretched 30-40 cases and finally went to www.rockymountaincartridge.com and had Dave make me brass that fit my gun. $65.00 per 20 sounds expensive,worth every penny to have "everlasting" brass with reasonable care.It is not drawn brass but rather CNC cut from bar stock.I use this brass for my PP loads and is the best brass I have ever used in any gun.

[wyoduster]

BUFFALO, WY........ Lived there for over 20 years... Just moved here to NH 4 years ago..
Sure do miss it.. But I work for the Air Force now and this is were they need me..

[wyoduster]

OK the 405 brass arrived yesterday and I sized them first in the 40-90 ss die then put them through the 40-70 ss die. and they fit. loaded up 20 last eve. 85 gn., 1.5 swiss,and my 405 gr. bullet. Anxious to shoot it..

[Bent Ramrod]

Please let us know how it goes. I've had a couple .40-90 SS rifles and getting them to shoot beyond hunting accuracy has been a challenge.

[concho]

40/90 will shoot very accurately if reduced load of 70 grains of 3 f and use .410 shotgun wads to take up space soak one wad in 1000 wonder lube so it will clean as shot , Use Milk carten cut .410 under bullet wax down not under bullet . Hits the same spot at 500 yds , if you can shoot ?

[wyoduster]

40/90 will shoot very accurately if reduced load of 70 grains of 3 f and use .410 shotgun wads to take up space soak one wad in 1000 wonder lube so it will clean as shot , Use Milk carten cut .410 under bullet wax down not under bullet . Hits the same spot at 500 yds , if you can shoot ?

Hmmm.. How many 410 wads per? sounds like more than one ... I will try that when I get back from Ridgway this weekend.

[45bpcr]

Hey Wyo,

I have a few bags of 410 wads 1/2 in long if you want some to try. was experimenting with chicken loads with them.

45bpcr