Hi Folks:
I am a few weeks into this forum, and very pleased to see the local Montana input to questions etc. Lots of practical BTDT feedback!
Here's a quirky, but quite serious question... I have a C. Sharps Win 1885 in 45-90... 30" Bull barrel, Sole sights, 1:16 twist, It is a gorgeous rifle !!!!!
I'm about 18 months into loading 45-90, both the Holy Black, and that newer smokeless stuff..
I cast for this gun too, Hornady 410gr FP, ( kind of like the 405 Army load), and also a Hornady 535 Postelle...
I now have Lee 500 GC FP mold (maybe later for elk?)
I have shot BP, and smokeless loads.. and I'm not having too much success... 100yd groups vary 3-5"...
I'm still tinkering with loads, lube, COAL etc.. A recent range trip showed that my BP loads are super consistent, Goex 2FG at 70gr, 1190fps (for the 535) and SD of 3.8fps! Should be a perfect load... but.. why the 3-5"..? It may be me?....this was bean bagged... However the idea of a scope on a 1885 is sick!
Chrono of 45-90 -535 Goex FFG 70Grs.
With an old Winchester model 35, 22RF and irons I can hit a 1.5" target no sweat at 50 yards.. Yet the C. Sharps with Sole sights, 3X that!
I'm not a spring chicken, (68).. eyesight for irons is okay, but not perfect... but...
So, I'm curious as to what is a realistic load... maybe matching the older heavy bullet 45-90 loads... 500-535 etc. and BP velocities...
Smokeless gives Uber power, 1700fps and is a thumper... not what I need... ( for now)
I have a cool app for load development, Gordon's Reloading Tool... a genius, but sadly deceased...
So I sit here and dream up loads... suitable for mice to Buffalo.... it handles BP and Nitro powders too.
Also a British Interior Ballistics load dev tool, Google P-Max Black Powder Ballistics...
Great app, but I find their energy equiv for BP powders is about 10% lower than basic Goex... be careful!!
Looking for BTDT input and guidance, I have 10 Lbs of 2FFg.... but the primers cost too!
My thinking (guess?) is that maybe its fouling for BP loads... I could use a blow tube.. and all of that 1880s tech... Smokeless is too fast..
So does anyone have any actual experience of using that scary technology of Duplex loads for these calibers?
A 10% (in grains load of RL7) and the 90% load of 2FG... carefully compressed, and measured for COAL....
I know it's another rabbit hole, trust me a I have a few... but the C. Sharps should be a perfect target gun, but so far from mild 405/60Gr 2FG Goex to 535 and 90 Gr 2F its just not consistent.
I have cruised YT, and there are numerous folks who shoot duplex loads... less fouling, better consistency... 25+ shots without bore wiping....?
Where should I start?
Appreciate the feedback and suggestions.... I'd like to save months of try this and... sigh... adventures...
Best !
Steve 1 Florence MT .
I am a few weeks into this forum, and very pleased to see the local Montana input to questions etc. Lots of practical BTDT feedback!
Here's a quirky, but quite serious question... I have a C. Sharps Win 1885 in 45-90... 30" Bull barrel, Sole sights, 1:16 twist, It is a gorgeous rifle !!!!!
I'm about 18 months into loading 45-90, both the Holy Black, and that newer smokeless stuff..
I cast for this gun too, Hornady 410gr FP, ( kind of like the 405 Army load), and also a Hornady 535 Postelle...
I now have Lee 500 GC FP mold (maybe later for elk?)
I have shot BP, and smokeless loads.. and I'm not having too much success... 100yd groups vary 3-5"...
I'm still tinkering with loads, lube, COAL etc.. A recent range trip showed that my BP loads are super consistent, Goex 2FG at 70gr, 1190fps (for the 535) and SD of 3.8fps! Should be a perfect load... but.. why the 3-5"..? It may be me?....this was bean bagged... However the idea of a scope on a 1885 is sick!
Chrono of 45-90 -535 Goex FFG 70Grs.
With an old Winchester model 35, 22RF and irons I can hit a 1.5" target no sweat at 50 yards.. Yet the C. Sharps with Sole sights, 3X that!
I'm not a spring chicken, (68).. eyesight for irons is okay, but not perfect... but...
So, I'm curious as to what is a realistic load... maybe matching the older heavy bullet 45-90 loads... 500-535 etc. and BP velocities...
Smokeless gives Uber power, 1700fps and is a thumper... not what I need... ( for now)
I have a cool app for load development, Gordon's Reloading Tool... a genius, but sadly deceased...
So I sit here and dream up loads... suitable for mice to Buffalo.... it handles BP and Nitro powders too.
Also a British Interior Ballistics load dev tool, Google P-Max Black Powder Ballistics...
Great app, but I find their energy equiv for BP powders is about 10% lower than basic Goex... be careful!!
Looking for BTDT input and guidance, I have 10 Lbs of 2FFg.... but the primers cost too!
My thinking (guess?) is that maybe its fouling for BP loads... I could use a blow tube.. and all of that 1880s tech... Smokeless is too fast..
So does anyone have any actual experience of using that scary technology of Duplex loads for these calibers?
A 10% (in grains load of RL7) and the 90% load of 2FG... carefully compressed, and measured for COAL....
I know it's another rabbit hole, trust me a I have a few... but the C. Sharps should be a perfect target gun, but so far from mild 405/60Gr 2FG Goex to 535 and 90 Gr 2F its just not consistent.
I have cruised YT, and there are numerous folks who shoot duplex loads... less fouling, better consistency... 25+ shots without bore wiping....?
Where should I start?
Appreciate the feedback and suggestions.... I'd like to save months of try this and... sigh... adventures...
Best !
Steve 1 Florence MT .
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