Handi Rifle and 1885 Winchester

[boudreau]

I have a Handi Rifle and an 1885 Winchester, both in 45-70, and need some advise on whether to seat the 405 gr cast bullets out to touch the rifling or nearly so, and also to crimp or not crimp. I use both 3031 and 4198. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[murf]

crimp them in the bullets crimp groove.

while the handi rifle ammo doesn't really need a crimp, you should get a more consistent ignition with the crimp.

the lever action rifles require the crimp to avoid bullet setback.

murf

 

[FROGO207]

I have a Handi Rifle and a Guide Gun in 45-70. I do crimp all of them cause I use one load for both and do not want to hassle with keeping the rounds separate for each one. If I had a single shot or bolt only then I would not bother to crimp them. I find a crimp does not make my ammo better----as long as you have good neck tension to begin with that is.

 

[boudreau]

crimp them in the bullets crimp groove.

while the handi rifle ammo doesn't really need a crimp, you should get a more consistent ignition with the crimp.

the lever action rifles require the crimp to avoid bullet setback.

murf

Thanks. Have you ever loaded for the Handi with the bullet almost touching the rifling?

 

[wild willy]

Do you have a 1885 Winchester or a 1886.If you have a 1885 you don't need a crimp fot it or the Handi.

 

[boudreau]

45-70

My Winchester is a single shot 1885 ( Miroku ). What about loading the bullets just off the rifling?

 

[dagger dog]

The distance from the lands will be different for each rifle.

I have a H&R Buffalo Classic and the leade is very short, most flat point bullets that I've shot in that rifle seat right at the crimp groove, and seated to that length have very minimal distance to the rifleing,0.020" or less. The 1885 Browning highwall will probably do better with bullet weights in the 500-530 gr class.

Both rifles should perform best with the cast bullet close to or touching the lands, especially if you're shooting black powder.

Your on your own if your shooting jacketed bullets or cast bullets with smokless powder!

 

[murf]

boudreau,

i have the handi. my handload is a 460 gn lead lbt bullet seated to the crimp groove. the round is uncrimped and the coal is 2.530". i have no idea how close to the lands. this is a smokless powder load.

murf