Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Win 1886 in 45/90 -need load info for 4759 powder

Greetings ! I have acquired a fine old Win.1886 made in 1893 in 45/90. I now have a supply of 300 gr. cast bullets and some 350 grainers. The only powder I can get is 4759, but I think it is a good one for this rifle and these bullets.
I have a pretty good start on the 300s, but need help with the 350s and with jacketed 300 and 350 bullets. Do any of you have load info to run these around 1500 to 1600 fps with this powder?I can't find ANY ! Help!

A) do you have a reloading manual? Lyman has data but specifically notes that it is not for use in antique guns.
B) the very real problem that you face is that your gun - 1893 - is really meant for BP cartridges. AFAIK, the 45-90 was not loaded with smokeless propellant when your rifle was designed. Smokeless loads appeared in 1895.
There is a modern variant called the 45-90 Express; it is not the same animal.
C) Maybe you looked already....IMR's online data base has no listing for the 45-90 at all, only the 45/70 and 45-120 (only cast bullets, no 4759)
Pete

Thanks, Pete, I was afraid that would be the only answer! Yes, I know mine is not intended for smokeless powders. I haven't found any load data yet. However, I am optimistic. I have emailed IMR but as yet not heard back. May have to grin and bear it by going to black powder. I just hate the clean up !

Fill the case full with 3F, and compress the 350 on top of it.

Waters' Pet Loads for .45-90 only lists one load with SR-4759: 32.0 grains with a 309 grain Lyman 457191. Velocity from a 34" Shiloh Sharps barrel was 1,736 fps. This gave maximum case expansion and poor accuracy.

Lyman's 43rd Edition (1964) lists 28.0 grains with the 457191 bullet at 1545 fps and 23.0 grains with the 395 grain 457483 GC for 1370 fps. Barrel lengths are not given.

It would be worth your while to find some other powders.

Mesabi, what powders do you think will work and that I can find?

Charlie,
Though I have not used 4759, I have used Accurate 5744 in my 45-90 and .405 WCF. Here is a link to the Accurate site and a 5744 definition.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/products/rifle/

Their online load table show 5744 loads for old and new 45-70, and that may be a place for you to start. My guess is that if you poke arond the Internet and load manual some, you will be able to come up with alternatives.

Charlie, IMR-4198,3031,H-4895 and 4831,and Reloader 7 are all useful with cast bullets from 300 to 400 grains. If I had to pick just one, I'd follow crshelton's advice and get some XMP-5744.

My 1886 from 1894 in 45/70 is black powder only and I'd assume yours is as well. Best of luck and don't blow it up in your face. The problem with the older 1886's is the steel used in the barrels. The receiver is pretty skookum.