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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,731
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,731 |
So I have a mint 1886 extra light on lay away and am starting to get set up to load for it. I plan to only shoot lead in this one just bc. I currently have some 300gr cast from a friend and will be buying some hard cast from beartooth bullets probably their 350gr piledriver jrs. My question for those who load for their miroku 1886’s is what diameter lead worked best for you : .458, .459 or .460?
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,570
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,570 |
I have the same gun. All the Marlin 45/70s Ive owned liked .460 dia bullets so thats the diameter i tried first. I was pleasantly surprised to find out my 86 shoots amazingly well with that diameter bullet. I got a 350 grain Ranch Dog mold from NOE and it is a great bullet that functions well through the 86 action, and shoots good to boot. Most of the newer 86s have short throats, and some cast bullets wont work, so just be aware of that.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 427
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 427 |
Congrats on your purchase. IMO the EL was one of the best configurations for hunting that Winchester released.
I’ve slugged a few Miroku 45/70 barrels and they came out at 0.457” - a bit tighter than Marlins tend to be.
I’d be more concerned about the bullet diameter ahead of the crimp groove and whether the bullet design has a front drive band. A thin band may work but probably best to have none at all and a bore riding design. The throating is non-existent as per SAAMI spec. In my Browning 1886, which also has the same throat treatment, I can load and cycle lead pills with an OAL of 2.8”, but to do that I need to use a bore riding design. A Lee FCD will help you fit a bullet to the throat if they are not quite right.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,737
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,737 |
I started out with a Lyman mold # 457102, 445 grains, gas checked sized .459, there about. I've use Alox or what ever lube I could find.then settled on LBT Blue. I've used most any alloy, wheel seems to be the most common. Then I found a mold throwing, maybe NEI, 350 grain gas checked when I Decided I was not going to run into any Cape Buffalos or American Bison here in Virginia. I've found that IMR 4064 and IMR 3031 do well for full power loads. When you fire a hundred rounds of 445 grsbullets in an after noon,you have done a days work.
"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,385
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,385 |
Before you load up a batch, make sure the bullet you choose will chamber. When you get up to the .460 diameter, it may be a tight fit.
I was thinking the other day how much I used to hate Bill Clinton. He was freaking George Washington compared to what they are now.
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