Model 1895 Winchester .405 - Kick like a mule, Punch like a train!

[Uridium]

My buddy has one of these as his collectors piece.
But every few years he brings it out of the armoury for a handful of 'test rounds' down at the range
I had my camera handy and with the video function rolling we gave it a little dance against steel discs at 100 yards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebR1VelQ_I

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Good lion medicine.

 

[WardenWolf]

Cool. But ouch. I was expecting the steel to move more than it did, though.

 

[1KPerDay]

Very cool. Thanks for the vid. I've lusted after an 1895 for as long as I can remember.

 

[CraigC]

Looks like one of the late model reproductions. Don't know how collectible they are but they're wonderful shooters. Mine is one of the earlier runs of .270's that was sent back to Miroku to become a .405WCF. Serial number 12. It is one of the most accurate rifles I own and regularly piles the factory Hornady 300gr roundnose under an inch at 100yds. Handloads do almost as well. Unfortunately, the Hornady bullets leave a lot to be desired, even on smaller deer. They're just too frangible. Everybody I've talked to that uses these in the field uses either cast bullets or jacketed pills from Woodleigh or North Fork. The Woodleigh 300gr Weldcore shoots very well for me.

Recoil is highly subjective but offhand it is not too bad. Off the bench it's pretty abusive though.

 

[Robert]

How does the 405 Win compare to the 45-70?
Glad ya'll had a good time. My friend has an original Win 1895 in his shop, it is in 30-40 though.

 

[Uridium]

Yeah the steel was a real thick, battered piece though as I initially thought the same.
If I'd of aimed and nailed the smaller disc it'd of spun a winner for sure!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Gus,
The comparison is the same as comparing the 444 and the 45-70.

The 405 and the 444 are pretty much the same with similar bullet weights.

 

[1KPerDay]

Craig, that's a beauty.

 

[esheato]

I've got an 1895 in .405 WCF in the safe...I don't shoot it often but it always brings a smile to my face when I shoot it. Just something about it that is unbelievably fun.

 

[CraigC]

How does the 405 Win compare to the 45-70?

Quite favorably actually. The modern .405 essentially duplicates the performance of a legendary British stopping rifle cartridge, the .450/.400. Expect 2300fps for the 300gr loadings and 2100fps for the 400gr. Sectional densities are comparable for 300gr and 400gr .405's, and 400gr and 500gr .458's respectively. The .405 yields a little higher velocity with similar SD's and that, coupled with higher ballistic coefficients results in a little flatter shooting cartridge. Recoil will also be slightly less. The downside is that good bullets for the .405 are less plentiful and expensive. Although cast bullets for the .41Mag can be utilized for reduced loads. The 300gr from Beartooth would make an excellent game bullet.

The 405 and the 444 are pretty much the same with similar bullet weights.

Kind of but not really. As stated, you can get higher up the SD ladder with the .405, with the .444 topping out at 405gr and .313 but those require neck-turned cases. The .405 also yields slightly higher velocities. The .444 is restricted to pistol bullets, so the ballistic coefficient advantage goes to the .405. The closest bullet to the .405's 300gr and the .45/70's 400gr would be a 355gr and those can be pushed to 2000-2100fps. Not even sure if the 405gr will feed through unmodified Marlins, or if the rifling twist is fast enough to stabilize them.


Of course it's all moot if all you're after is whitetail or wild hogs.