Loading Data-40-65

[ernierod]

New SS Shooter. Could use some loading data for a 40-65 rifle using a 400gr lead bullet for moderate performance. I would like to try Smokeless powder and 3FFF powder to see if they are accurate before I go to other grades of black powder.Thanks for experienced help. Would also consider data with a 350gr/.410/lead slug too.

[jimkim]

They have load data for the 40-65 at both Hodgdon and Accurate Arms.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/ObsoleteCartridges/40%2065%20Winchester%20page%20358.pdf

[August]

May I (emphatically) suggest that you use 2F as your starting point. Goex Cartridge or Swiss 2F. Actually, Swiss 1 1/2 F is also a good starting point. 3F is pretty hot and may produce lots of fouling in this big cartridge. It's safe to use 3F, but not the preferred place to start. Later, if you want to move out to 800-1000 yards, 3F might help you accomplish that, but it's probably not the best powder to start with. Be sure to use a wad (veggie or poly) between the powder and the boolit, of course.

If you insist on smokeless, 9-10 grains of Unique or 14-15 grains of 5744 out to shoot pretty well. But, you really will get significantly better results with gunpowder.

[ernierod]

As a BP pistol competitor,I had extra 3fff powder. I sort of knew it wasn't the best for 40 cal-but wanted to try a little anyway. Thanks for advice.

[NickSS]

I use 55 gr of FFG GOEX and a 400 gr RCBS cast bullet in my 40-65. This give me good accuracy out to 500 meters for Silhouette shooting. I also have tried the same volume of FFFG and got higher velocities but poorer accuracy. I have shot this calober out to 800 yards and can say that it gets out there but scores are lower than with my 45-70 as wind drift is greater. Generally I have found that out to about 500 meters (approximately 550 yards) the 40-65 will shoot about the same scores as my 45-70. Once I go further the 45-70 slowly outperforms the 40-65. It seams like it is all in the wind drift of the bullets. By the way beyound 900 yards the 45-90 edges out the 45-70 as for accuracy (At least for me).

[Don McDowell]

In my wifes 40-65 , 58 grs of Cartridge behind the Lyman snover bullet shot ok, but nothing outstanding. When tried regular 3f the accuracy just wasn't good. When we went to 60 grs of 3f express and the same bullet accuracy became outstanding all the way to 1000 yds.
Rcbs's 40 cal CSA bullets are good ones to try also.
We tried the Lyman 385 gr spitzer bullet but it gave us problems with keyholing in even mild crosswinds at 200 yds.

Smokeless loads we just use AA 5744 and get along just fine with most bullets. The lyman 412263 sized to .410 and pushed by 25 grs of 5744 makes a real nice lite bullet load for offhand shooting.