1885 Strength

[Reaper]

I just got a new 1885 Highwall in .45-70. It's a Winchester/ Miroku limited edition sporter witha 24in octagon barrel. Intend to shoot smokeless and black. As to the smokeless loads, is it strong enough to use the1886/1895 level loads ? Also, in another thread, someone posted a red dot plinker load for the .45-70. Should of saved it and can't find it now. If someone would repost it, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Ron

[NickSS]

our rifle is at least as strong as the 1886 or Marlin 95. It can probably handle Ruger #1 Loads as well. As for a light plinking load I use 14 gr of Unique myselft with a 400 gr bullet.

[SharpsShooter]

I agree that 1895 loads are ok. Ruger #1 loads aren't really needed IMO. The 45-70 has killed without problem nearly every species of large game at one time or another using black powder. Trying to make a race horse out of a work horse just increases how well you and your recoil pad get to know one another.

Nicks load of 14gr of Unique under a 400-ish boolit is a fine accurate shooter in every 45-70 I have owned.

SS

[Shooter]

I use the 14 Gr. Unique load in my Japchester too.
The gun will take more than your shoulder.

[M-Tecs]

The Browning/Winchester/ Miroku 1885 Highwall actions are all the same. They chamber this action for cartridges that go 65,000 psi. The 45/70 brass and your shoulder are the weak link.

[Gunlaker]

The Miroku 1885 is much stronger than the Marlin 1895 or Winchester 1886. Check out the Hodgdon's online loading data and you'll see in the "modern Rifles" section that the loads for the Ruger #1 and Miroku 1885 are the same. The data for "modern rifles" is significantly hotter than anything in the "lever guns" section which applies to the 1895 and modern 1886's.

Chris.

[Ed in North Texas]

I've had one at least 20 years (Browning edition - OK, long enough I don't know how long I've owned it) and I've seen recommendations that loads be kept to the Marlin 1895 levels, etc. Never understood why some folks thought that these actions were that weak.

[bigted]

another for the strength of the modern jap/win 85 with their hunter barrel. it will stand way more then you i bet. mine is a 28 inch barrel and she will shoot 405rem bullets ahead of 34gr rl-7 with enough corn meal for fill to kiss the bottom of the bullet into 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds as long as i keep the barrel cool and swab every 10 shots .