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What kind of loads/velocity/bullet type & weight were you using for the cape.

Hey Bugger, I am shooting the .510, 400 grain CEB lever gun solid and the 450 grain Swift A Frame in the 50-110. Velocities are in the 2000+ FPS range, the heavier A Frames actually shoot a little faster. I have taken a buffalo with each bullet.

The 45-90 is shooting the .458, 400 grain CEB solid at speeds up to 2100 FPS. That is one loooonng bullet and it takes up a lot of case capacity.

I’m a cast bullet fan in the large lever rifle calibers! Those bullets are pre-expanded and just keep moving.

I have a 1886 that has fired less than a hundred rounds. I’d like to send it to Turnbull….

Thanks for the thread 8point.

Great thread revival.

8Point - I missed your reply 3 years ago. A belated thank you for the detail you provided.

I have a 45/90 on a Winoku 71. I’ve taken the 45/90 up to NT to use on our Asiatic buffalo and I was determined to my own cast bullets.

The mould used was a RCBS 45-500 FNGC and bullets cast of Lyman no.2 weighed in at 520gr, lubed and GC fitted. These bullets have the crimp groove in the right location for leverguns in 45/70 and 45/90.

We had stalked in to within 70meters and the bull was about to move into thicker bush where I would likely lose him. He wasn’t aware of our presence as he was concentrating on a younger bull in his general vicinity.

Taking careful aim I placed the first shot just behind the shoulder. The bullet exited and bull immediately swivelled around to deal with what had caused him pain. I then did my best impression of Chuck Connors in Rifleman and emptied the rifle. The bull was hit hard and was swaying on its feet. I wasted no time, I fed a fresh cartridge into the now empty chamber, closed the lever and ran towards the bull continuing to feed shells into the tube mag as I ran. This is one of the advantages of a levergun - you can still be in a position to take a shot while still feeding cartridges into the mag. The bull was now down but still not out and I administered a couple of finishers into the spine at point blank range.

Buffalo hide is really thick and strong. The cast pills expanded considerably. After that experience I think I’d still load a cast pill first up and then follow up with solids. Once the shooting starts you don’t know what sort of shots will be presented, so a decent solid as a follow up is good insurance for any difficult shots that may be presented.

That's good stuff JFE, thanks for taking us along on that hunt! I've taken a couple of water buffalo in the Northern Territory and I agree, they can require a lot of killing!

Great looking rifle and I love the caliber.

It couldn't be in a better gun!

HS 58