Winchester (Mikoru) 1886 45-90

[swifty]

My question is about bulk loading-similar to loading black powder- for the 45-90.
My latest issue of Double Gun Journal-Single Shot Journal has an article on Bulk Loading with Hodgdon's Trail Boss for Black Powder Express Rifles. The article stated to fill the case to the base of the bullet, weigh the charge and take 70%. My 1886 45-90 case will hold 23 grains of Trail Boss to the base of the bullet, and 70% is 16 grains.
I recently read a favorable report on using trail boss but I can't remember the article. The standard express bullet for the 45-90 was a 300 grain FN.
Do any of you have experience with reloading with Trail Boss for the 45-90 or the 45-70?

[August]

After observing numerous cowboy shooters with rounds that cough, sputter, and sometimes seem double charged, I decided that the powder was sensitive to temperature and didn't warrant my experimentation -- especially in the big, black powder rounds. So, I cannot help you with your question and probably never will be in a position to do so. However, may I just say 4759, 5744, Unique, Goex Cartridge Grade, and Swiss 1.5 F to you?

[swifty]

I have used all of the powders you mentioned. However,
the loads that you mentioned (except Black powder) all would be very small volume in a very large case. I first tried the powder at a very small load and the results were disappointing. However the data in the Black Powder express rifles loaded as described have been reported as quite acceptable.

[Last Spike]

No idea about Trail Boss, but Blackhorn 209 from Western Powders is something I will be trying out in my 45-90. With a 300 grain Laser Cast flat point bullet, Fed 215 primer, 52.0 grains BH 209 it runs at 1,787 fps, sd of 12 fps. Load density is 100%. This from the handloading data sheet available free from loaddata.com.

[6pt-sika]

I don't have a 45-90 however I do have an original Marlin 1895 in 40-82 and I have used Trailboss in it !
The powder about filled the case up (can't remmember how much I loaded off the top of my head) . But the velocity was nowhere near enough (I think) to use it to deer hunt ! I am thinking it was pushing a plain base 260 grain bullet at about 1100-1200 FPS . I would prefer it at about 1500 FPS .Although I have used a 32-40 that was going about 1300-1350 and it did in a medium sized Virginia whitetail easy enough !

When I get around to messing with the 40-82 again I expect I'll try soem 5744 in it as it seems to work pretty well in anything else I use it in !

[JFE]

Here is some data for you:

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20237%20Partial%20Back%20Issue1.pdf

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have used Trail Boss in my 44/40s and was about to load it in my 45/70s for the Pat Garrett match and I noticed that the pressure with Trail Boss was significantly higher than with AR2207, which is a tad faster than AR2206, which is the Aussie equivalent to the NATO 7.62 powder, similar burn rate to 3031, etc.

I decided to skip the Trail Boss in the 45/70 for that reason. It is still a reasonable pressure lavel, so when I get time I will try it, might be more accurate. I sure would like to just use one powder or all of my cowboy stuff.