advice needed ASAP! Winchester 1886 45/70 v 45/90.

Puddlejockey

Puddlejockey

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2021
Messages
323
Location
North Carolina (Huntersville/ Lake Norman)
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Hey all -

I'm in a mess, and need some advice ASAP! I bought what I ( thought) was a Winchester (Japanese) NOS 1886 short rifle, with a 24' octagon barrel and a case hardened action in 45/70. I bought it from a gun trading forum. I've always been in love with "big bore" rifles.. and this one just absolutely had to come home. I came across it while looking for a high wall in 45/70.

I do not reload much AT ALL. I have some of the components and was learning, but didn't really enjoy it.

The owner of the rifle ( who already has my money) messaged me and said it was a 45/90... not a 45/70 as he'd advertised. It's a 1886 limited series in 45/90.
I hear that you " can" fire 45/70 modern rounds in a 45/90 chamber. The 45/90 stamp isn't very visible in the pics he had...

I know very, very little about this firearm, or 45/90 in general. It seems to me that if they have different OAL, I could get in real trouble with handling, feeding, and chamber slop shooting 45/70 in a 45/90 lever gun. I'm also worried about rifle twist.

Primary purpose was as a range gun, and to occasionally hunt with. Probably opening day of deer rifle season, just BC it'd be a cool gun to hunt with.

Should I get my money back as he's offered- or move forward with the deal? Again - I'm way out of my depth on this. I already have 200 bucks in 45/70 ammo getting delivered today... grrr..
 
Good discussions here.

45-70 in an 1886 45-90?

Is it ok to shoot 45-70 in an 1886 45-90?
www.24hourcampfire.com www.24hourcampfire.com

After a cursory search I couldn't find any factory 45/90 ammo and very little 45/90 brass for sale. If you don't plan on reloading I'd go with sending it back and charging him for shipping both ways and for the transfer fee. That is a BS way of doing business.

I've shot both rounds in buffalo matches and like them both. You can probably land another 45/70 real quick.

Others may be able to advise different.
 
If you were planning to load BP the extra case capacity would be useful, but with modern powder I don’t think you gain anything. Take a look at Win’s website, I’d guess that the 45-90 is 25% more expensive than the 45-70 if you care about such things. Otherwise, I’d keep looking for a 45-70.
 
I believe Starline is the only place making .45-90 brass these days. If you plan on loading with anything other than black powder I'd avoid the .45-90, unless this rifle potentially has some collector value. The process for loading these straight walled big bore rounds is very simple and the brass does last a LONG time.
 
You can shoot .45/70 out of a .45/90. Just make sure you clean the chamber well before shooting .45/90 after you shoot .45/70.

Same thing happened to me with a C Sharps 1875 rifle. I wound up keeping the rifle. Took me a while to find brass. Brownells had dies in stock last time I checked.

Up to you. If you don't think you will be happy with it, then get your money back now when you have the chance.
 
45-70 specs:

Reloading Data .45-70 Government (for 1873 Springfield) Metallic

.45-70 Government (for 1873 Springfield) reloading data with 134 loads. Using bullets from Lyman cast bullet #457191, Nosler Jacketed PP, Lyman cast bullet #457122, Lyman cast bullet #457124, Lyman cast bullet #457193, Remington Jacketed SP, Lyman cast bullet #457125, Lyman cast bullet #457658...
loaddata.com


45-90 specs:

Reloading Data .45-90 WCF (Lyman Data - 48th Edition) Metallic

.45-90 WCF (Lyman Data - 48th Edition) reloading data with 0 loads. Using bullets from . Powders include
loaddata.com
 
Maybe someone here will take it off your hands if you're not able to get your money back.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Again , though- I’m not planning on reloading… so I’m going to let this one go and get my cash back. I’m trying to be understanding of the seller ( he’s willing to refund the cash) but it’s tough to see how this happened. I’ve owned probably hundreds of guns in my life… and always knew what caliber they were. :)
 
Puddlejockey said:
Thanks for all the replies! Again , though- I’m not planning on reloading… so I’m going to let this one go and get my cash back. I’m trying to be understanding of the seller ( he’s willing to refund the cash) but it’s tough to see how this happened. I’ve owned probably hundreds of guns in my life… and always knew what caliber they were. :)
Click to expand...


If your eyesight isn't good and you never shot it, it can be easy to confuse the two caliber stamps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom