I own 2 Limited Series Take Down Winchester (Miroku) 1886's in 45-90, 26" Octagonal barrel and love them. Mine both have the crescent butt plates though. My favorite rounds are 500 grain powder coated round nose bullets stuffed in the Hornady (short brass) LeverEvolution brass pushed along via some Reloader 7, and they are truckin at about 1300 fps. I have also gotten them down below 1000 fps and still split logs in half. Shooting more of the 45-70 means more cleaning and inspection for gas cutting and such. Because a 45-70 bullet exits a little before a 45-90 you may have more fouling and possibly some restriction when you go back to 45-90 rounds. Gotta get yourself some MP molds with the Hollow Points and try them out...I think you'll be pretty excited at the results. It's not until you start blowing stuff up that you get a good picture of it's potential. Paper is fine but get yourself a inexpensive chronograph so you can at least get some kind of data while just throwing lead at paper. You have a very nice rifle with lots of potential, bring the videos... Have fun, be safe.
I own 2 Limited Series Take Down Winchester (Miroku) 1886's in 45-90, 26" Octagonal barrel and love them. Mine both have the crescent butt plates though. My favorite rounds are 500 grain powder coated round nose bullets stuffed in the Hornady (short brass) LeverEvolution brass pushed along via some Reloader 7, and they are truckin at about 1300 fps. I have also gotten them down below 1000 fps and still split logs in half. Shooting more of the 45-70 means more cleaning and inspection for gas cutting and such. Because a 45-70 bullet exits a little before a 45-90 you may have more fouling and possibly some restriction when you go back to 45-90 rounds. Gotta get yourself some MP molds with the Hollow Points and try them out...I think you'll be pretty excited at the results. It's not until you start blowing stuff up that you get a good picture of it's potential. Paper is fine but get yourself a inexpensive chronograph so you can at least get some kind of data while just throwing lead at paper. You have a very nice rifle with lots of potential, bring the videos... Have fun, be safe.
What's your powder and charge for the 45-90? I just bought one and would like to build up a load. Thank you, Alan
I bought those, they are not hand loads. Sorry