doubs43
01-07-2011, 01:59 PM
For those who followed my original post about my new 1895 Winchester rifle chambered in 405, here is what I've experienced so far. This may help others who own rifles in this caliber.
While I have no idea what rate of twist original rifles in .405 Winchester were given, I read that the current Miruko rifles are 1:10 and that seems about right judging by my rifle.
After mounting a Williams FP-71-TK peep sight, I cast bullets using a Lyman mold that drops a .413" slug at 288 grains. I sized them to .412". It's a round nose design with minimal bearing surface and to make a long story short, it's shoots poorly in my rifle. My best 10 shot group at 108 yards measured 4" and the rest were worse. I tried lots of loads using various powders and nothing shot well. IMO, it's not heavy enough and doesn't have sufficient bearing surface to be accurate in a 1:10 twist bore. I had fliers and even the POI shifted. Discouraging to say the least.
Fellow member Sliphammer had graciously sent 20 cast bullets that weighed 322 grains.... a bore-rider design with a gas check. I gave them a try thinking it couldn't get worse and happily it didn't.
I loaded Sliphammer's bullets using 30.0 and 31.0 grains of Swiss SPP-210 powder (4198 equivalent) and a small piece of dacron filler to hold the powder in place. The bullets were seated and crimped in the crimping groove.
Both loads shot nicely centered 10 shot groups under 3" at 108 yards. While not exactly world class, IMO that's not bad for a lever action and it's a place to start to refine my loads. No doubt the groups would have been better if my aiming had been tighter.
Now I'm patiently waiting for a 325 grain bore-rider Mountain Mold that I believe will shoot very nicely in my rifle. I'll let you know in a few months once I get the mold and can work with the bullets awhile.
While I have no idea what rate of twist original rifles in .405 Winchester were given, I read that the current Miruko rifles are 1:10 and that seems about right judging by my rifle.
After mounting a Williams FP-71-TK peep sight, I cast bullets using a Lyman mold that drops a .413" slug at 288 grains. I sized them to .412". It's a round nose design with minimal bearing surface and to make a long story short, it's shoots poorly in my rifle. My best 10 shot group at 108 yards measured 4" and the rest were worse. I tried lots of loads using various powders and nothing shot well. IMO, it's not heavy enough and doesn't have sufficient bearing surface to be accurate in a 1:10 twist bore. I had fliers and even the POI shifted. Discouraging to say the least.
Fellow member Sliphammer had graciously sent 20 cast bullets that weighed 322 grains.... a bore-rider design with a gas check. I gave them a try thinking it couldn't get worse and happily it didn't.
I loaded Sliphammer's bullets using 30.0 and 31.0 grains of Swiss SPP-210 powder (4198 equivalent) and a small piece of dacron filler to hold the powder in place. The bullets were seated and crimped in the crimping groove.
Both loads shot nicely centered 10 shot groups under 3" at 108 yards. While not exactly world class, IMO that's not bad for a lever action and it's a place to start to refine my loads. No doubt the groups would have been better if my aiming had been tighter.
Now I'm patiently waiting for a 325 grain bore-rider Mountain Mold that I believe will shoot very nicely in my rifle. I'll let you know in a few months once I get the mold and can work with the bullets awhile.