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View Full Version : First Range Day with Winny 1885 HighWall



rbertalotto
05-05-2011, 12:02 PM
So today was the first day I got out to shoot my new Winchester BPCR 45-70 at the range. I loaded up some IMR4198 under a 400g and 405 grain cast bullet that I cast myself and some 405 grain Cast Precision bullets.

At 100 yards the rifle was shooting 2" groups with all three bullets, but the POI varied wildly.

I then went out to 200 yards and didn't have enough "UP" on the Burris scope to hit the paper. I had made a one piece mount for this rifle so I loosened the rear of the mount and shoved a flattened 22RF case under it and tightened it back down. Now I had plenty of UP.

My milling machine will rectify this issue this afternoon. I'll put 30 minutes of "slant" into it. Think this will be enough to get out to 500 yds with those 405 g bullets. Or should I be shooting heavier boolets?

At 200 yds the rifle was shooting 5" groups...."This ain't my 6BR!". And once again the POI was in three very different areas on the target board.

Out to 300 yards and the groups held at 5".....Strange?

Ran out of time and cartridges for 500 yards.

Tomorrow I'll return with a few different loads of smokeless and a few with BP.....

I had a Shiloh Sharps a few years back and just never got comfortable shooting that rifle. It was much lighter than this 1885 and kicked like a mule. This rifle is a ***** cat to shoot. Trigger needs a bit of love, but other than that is behaves itself nicely at the bench.

I can tell that this is going to be fun!

doubs43
05-05-2011, 12:21 PM
Not a bad first time out I'd say. Obviously there is some work to be done and you may want to begin by slugging your bore to be certain the boolits are sized correctly. Five inch groups at 300 yards isn't bad but it should do better at 200 with a scope.

Try other powders too. You'll find a combination that will give you the results you want.

NickSS
05-05-2011, 09:26 PM
At 500 yards you will be stretching a 400 gr bullet. My experience is that a 400/405 works well out to 400 yards or so and then starts loosing it when compared to the same rifle shooting heavier bullets. However, yours might work well enough for you so I would try it first. I also agree that 5 inches at 200 is not that great but at 300 is not too bad. Some additional load development is in order. Have fun and be safe.

rbertalotto
05-06-2011, 07:51 AM
I have to agree about a heavier boolit. I'm looking for advise on a 500g boolit mold for the Winchester BPCR with Badger barrel...........I'm going to ask around

Gussy
05-06-2011, 12:47 PM
Lyman Postel bullet 530 gr is what you want. I shoot it to 1000 yds.

montana_charlie
05-06-2011, 01:11 PM
At 500 yards you will be stretching a 400 gr bullet.
What is the rifling ROT?
CM

Gunlaker
05-06-2011, 01:58 PM
What is the rifling ROT?
CM

CM, those Winchester BPCR's use 1:18 twist Badger barrels.

Chris.

rbertalotto
05-06-2011, 04:45 PM
More info on my rifle............

Yes, I checked the twist rate and it is exactly 1-18"..........

I did a chamber cast with Cerrosafe..........

http://images57.fotki.com/v81/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2730-vi.jpg

As you can see, there is zero lead. The rifling starts right after the case neck. It measures exactly .457 at this juncture. It also measures exactly .457 1.5" from this point.

Seems to me, any boolit I load is going to be hard into the lands, regardless of the boolits length.............correct?

So, with all this info, any other suggestions for a 500g boolit mold?

rbertalotto
05-06-2011, 04:54 PM
I also milled that scope mount..........Works great now!

http://images114.fotki.com/v1606/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2724-vi.jpg

http://images57.fotki.com/v512/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2731-vi.jpg

peerlesscowboy
05-06-2011, 09:20 PM
More info on my rifle............

Yes, I checked the twist rate and it is exactly 1-18"..........

I did a chamber cast with Cerrosafe..........

http://images57.fotki.com/v81/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2730-vi.jpg

As you can see, there is zero lead. The rifling starts right after the case neck. It measures exactly .457 at this juncture. It also measures exactly .457 1.5" from this point.

Seems to me, any boolit I load is going to be hard into the lands, regardless of the boolits length.............correct?

So, with all this info, any other suggestions for a 500g boolit mold?
I'm shooting a Lyman 457125CV, cast from Ly#2 alloy they've been weighing 515 grains. Good out to 1000 yards plus. Use 'em in .45-70 and .45-90 :-D