Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 405 Winchester and Caribou.

Hunted pretty hard this last week for Mountain Caribou in the Yukon. I flew in to a small lake close to the Alpine and everyday went with my kids and scouted the high country. I carried a 325 WSM in a nice light A-Bolt. After a hard trip in hot weather I took a camp day and spent my time cooking to keep my Wife happy. I carried my Win 95 in 405 Win filled with 300 Woodleighs to discipline bears if needed. Just before dinner I went to my spotting hill, and darn if a caribou didn't come down to us. I can now say that the 405 is a pretty good choice on big caribou at 220 yards. The Woodleighs started at 2300fps don't expand much at that range but it didn't seem to matter too much.

You rock! Love the 405 win, what was your holdover with open sights? I wouldn't expect the Woodleighs to expand much if at all.

I was sighted in at 150 yards and held just at the top of his back. The bullet struck low behind the heart but I had to fire from kneeling and was making some gyrations on the target. I use the Hornady Spires as my main load but always load up Woodleighs for bear. I suspect the Hornady Spire would have hit a bit higher and opened up a bit.

The finisher at 75 yards (another Woodleigh) did expand but not in an explosive manner. It still hit very hard, and penetration was of course complete.

Good Show! Love the 405! consider taking using 300gr TSXs too. Both of my 405 love them. Same loading as the Woodleighs, 52gr of VV N-133

The 300 TSX shoot into the tightest groups of all 4 bullets I have tried. I can one hole it all day long at 50 yards. Problem is the max loads shoot about 150fps slower and hit into a different point of aim. If I swap my Williams Foolproof for the old repro receiver sight with quick adjustment features I might start using the Barnes more. Have also thought of trying some 325 or 350 Hawks and see if they shoot to same impact point.

Accuracy in my 95 at 100 yards (With Receiver Sights and Post Front)

1) 300 TSX (less than 2") At 50 yards where I shoot open reciever sights better I am getting 3/4 inch groups RL15
2) 300 Hornady Spire (about 2") Benchmark at 2350, RL 7 at 2280
3) 300 FN's About 2.5" RL7 about 2250
4) 300 Woodleigh RN about 3" with RL7 at 2270

I will try N133 if I can ever find some.

Another "good show" from another .405 WCF hunter.

Nice picture, shooting, trophy, and winter provisions.



Keep up the good work!

Gotta love the 405! Been thinking today of rebarreling my Savage 284 to a 405-284. That would add a scope sighted 405 to my lever stable.

If I ever or I should say WHEN I get back to Africa, my goal is to take a buffalo with the 405. Both my rifles also love the 300gr North Fork solid. I had no problems getting 2250 out of the TSX or NF solid with the N-133. Good luck!

North,
If you want a Scout scope mount on your 1895 .405 WCF, take a look at this link discussion and pix:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63515&p=730734&hilit=.405#p730734

I have shot Peter's scoped .405 and it is quite accurate and easy to shoot.
With a little creativity, you could likely have a quick release scope mount and use a receiver sight for backup. Another friend of mine did that on his Miroku/Winchester 1886 EL deluxe and it worked fine.

I think it would change the handling qualities of the gun. If I was to go with an Optic I might go with a very light reflex sight side-mounted and extended over the receiver just ahead of the hammer much like the peep sight. My eyes are still working ok with a good post and peep so I'll stay there a while.

First, nice bou! Some good eating back straps you have there.
Have you tried 3031? I use it with the 300 TSX's and at 100 yards can shoot 1.5 inches or better off a rest with receiver sights.
The TSX's are tough, had a couple penetrate completely on the bison I shot earlier this year. For deer or comparable sized critters think the Hornadys make more sense.

I have used 3031. RL 7 and Benchmark worked better.

In my rifle, I mean!

Nice story and great caribou..

Video of the hunt is up for those interested. I am very happy I bought one of these Japanese Winchesters. It's my favourite Lever. This was a great fly-in hunt and made even better by the fact that the whole family was there and that I got to use such a historically rich firearm. Fun stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgE_V7KrDIw

I am extremely envious!!! Well done!!!

My Ruger #1 wears a 2-7x33 Leupie, and is pretty accurate. I also find the Barnes bullets shoot very well. My best group at 100 so far has been under an inch, but the average is shade over an inch.

Nice 'Bou!

The most accurate load in my 95 is the 300TSX and RL15. Get's inch groups or less at 50 yards with the receiver sights. This caribou hunt with a big lever was so fun I just bought a 1955 built Winchester 71 in 348. It will be here in a week or two. If it shoots at all well I think I might hang up my bolt guns for quite a while. The 71 was a rifle I dreamed about as a kid and it should be a lot of fun to play with. The 200 FTX should give me some 250 yard possibilities if she shoots.

Sweet time with your family. And your 405 Winchester.

Great story....

I have a one of the Browning made 95s, a newer model 1885 Sporter and a TC Encore barrel that has been cut down to 20"... Now mostly shooting cast boolits of 300-350 grains...

Bob