45-90

[wgr]

how much can be gained using the 45-90 vs the 45-70?is it worth the extra cost of brass and dies

[NickSS]

It depends upon what you are talking about. With smokeless powder you gain nothing if it is Black you gain 100 to 150 fps for any given bullet. This really only becomes important at ranges beyond 600 yards (like 800, 900 and 1000 yard matches) On game the 45-90 gives higher velocities with black powder as noted above. This makes it slightly flatter shooting as well and a bit more powerful. Sharps used the 45-90 case for long range target shooting. Winchester used the same case and called it the 45-90 and loaded it with 300 gr bullets for an express load. The idea being flatter shooting (relatively) but this advantage kind of ran out of gas at around 200 yards due to the short bullet and slower twist that Winchester put in their 45-90s. Winchester did come out with a 45-90 with a 450 gr bullet and a faster twist for people who wanted more penetration later on but they did not have 90 gr of powder in the case it was more like 80 gr.

[RMulhern]

Let's put it this way!

You can put 90 grs. Swiss FFF in a WW case and shoot PP!! This ain't no slouchy load!!

[Don McDowell]

You can load 72 grs of Goex 2f express, with a 510 gr paper patched bullet in the 45-70 and not give up any ground to 45-110's at 8-9 or 1000 yds.
Just got thru finding that out personal today.....:D