Post by Bullshop on Jun 2, 2019 8:23:57 GMT -7
question
I recently acquired a Browning 1885 BPCR in 45-90 with the 34” barrel. I believe it is the Creedmore model. I would like to shoot lead bullets with smokeless powder at black powder equivalent velocities and trajectories (I know that is blasphemy to some folks). I thought I would start with Postell type bullets in the 400 grain and 530 grain ranges. I have brass, dies, large rifle primers, and the ability to hand load. I was curious if you had any suggestions or starting points for smokeless loads. Obviously, I will need to buy the bullets (that’s where you come in). I don’t know about the need for any wads or case fillers? What powder? Starting loads? I don’t currently cast my own lead, so I am open to suggestions on different bullets as well. The rifle will be used mostly for target shooting and then to hunt hogs, elk, and maybe a moose?
Also, I have been driving up and down I-15 for many years. I found Yesterday’s Calf-A in Dell about 15 years ago and have made it a point to stop for breakfast every chance I get. You truly live in Gods country. Thanks for any help you can give.
answer
G’Day Sir
I know that what you would like is a simple straight forward answer that will lead you directly to success of your accuracy goals for your rifle. Unfortunately with the art of loading accurate ammo it seldom works that way.
I too shoot a Browning model 1885 though mine is a 45-70. Something I can positively attest to about the Browning 1885 rifles is that they are well made and the Badger barrels with 1/18” rifling pitch has every potential for good accuracy especially with the heavier weight long range type bullets.
I also shoot a 45-90 re-build on an original Sharps 1874 rifle. My 45-90 has a 1/20” twist barrel so wont shoot quite as good with the very heavy 500+gn bullets at long range but it does well with the bullets it will adequately stabilize to quite long range. I sponsor the annual Billy Dixon shoot here in Dell where we shoot to 1500 yards and my Sharps performs well in it.
Personally I don’t care for barrels longer than 30” for this type shooting because if any fouling occurs it shows worst in the last few inches of barrel at the muzzle end. Also the longer the barrel or more correctly the longer the sight radios the taller the rear sight required to get to any given range. For instance my Sharps has a 28” barrel and with a mid range sight staff I can reach 1200 yards but with the same rear sight on your 34” barrel I would guess somewhere between 800 to 900 yards at best. To get to our 1500 yard steel buffalo with a 34” barrel will require a very tall rear sight. On my 28” barrel Sharps I get to 1500 yards with a tall rear staff but I have a few 100 yards of elevation left in sight adjustment.
Right or wrong if we stay with it long enough we all develop preferences!
As for powder I know that with smokeless loading I have spoken to many people that get very good results using Accurate Arms # 5744 powder. Personally I do shoot smokeless loads but my practice is so far out of the norm that I wont suggest it unless I know the person is an advanced loader with full understanding of all factors involved .
What I am doing is duplex loading smokeless powder. That is stacking two different smokeless powders slightly compressed so they don’t mix in the case. I too am loading this type of duplex smokeless powder to achieve BP equivalent velocity at 1300 fps.
I recently did a short right up about it at our web forum at bullshop free forums I believe in the general sub forum.
As for bullets you can check our full list at bullshop.weebly.com by scrolling to the more icon at the top right of the page. We likely have about 40 choices of both lube groove type and paper patch type available. I shoot both types but in my Sharps with 1/20” twist keep bullet weight closer to 500gn but in my Browning with 1/18” twist go as high as 550gn in bullet weight.
Hope this helps get the ball rolling for you.
The Bullshop
I recently acquired a Browning 1885 BPCR in 45-90 with the 34” barrel. I believe it is the Creedmore model. I would like to shoot lead bullets with smokeless powder at black powder equivalent velocities and trajectories (I know that is blasphemy to some folks). I thought I would start with Postell type bullets in the 400 grain and 530 grain ranges. I have brass, dies, large rifle primers, and the ability to hand load. I was curious if you had any suggestions or starting points for smokeless loads. Obviously, I will need to buy the bullets (that’s where you come in). I don’t know about the need for any wads or case fillers? What powder? Starting loads? I don’t currently cast my own lead, so I am open to suggestions on different bullets as well. The rifle will be used mostly for target shooting and then to hunt hogs, elk, and maybe a moose?
Also, I have been driving up and down I-15 for many years. I found Yesterday’s Calf-A in Dell about 15 years ago and have made it a point to stop for breakfast every chance I get. You truly live in Gods country. Thanks for any help you can give.
answer
G’Day Sir
I know that what you would like is a simple straight forward answer that will lead you directly to success of your accuracy goals for your rifle. Unfortunately with the art of loading accurate ammo it seldom works that way.
I too shoot a Browning model 1885 though mine is a 45-70. Something I can positively attest to about the Browning 1885 rifles is that they are well made and the Badger barrels with 1/18” rifling pitch has every potential for good accuracy especially with the heavier weight long range type bullets.
I also shoot a 45-90 re-build on an original Sharps 1874 rifle. My 45-90 has a 1/20” twist barrel so wont shoot quite as good with the very heavy 500+gn bullets at long range but it does well with the bullets it will adequately stabilize to quite long range. I sponsor the annual Billy Dixon shoot here in Dell where we shoot to 1500 yards and my Sharps performs well in it.
Personally I don’t care for barrels longer than 30” for this type shooting because if any fouling occurs it shows worst in the last few inches of barrel at the muzzle end. Also the longer the barrel or more correctly the longer the sight radios the taller the rear sight required to get to any given range. For instance my Sharps has a 28” barrel and with a mid range sight staff I can reach 1200 yards but with the same rear sight on your 34” barrel I would guess somewhere between 800 to 900 yards at best. To get to our 1500 yard steel buffalo with a 34” barrel will require a very tall rear sight. On my 28” barrel Sharps I get to 1500 yards with a tall rear staff but I have a few 100 yards of elevation left in sight adjustment.
Right or wrong if we stay with it long enough we all develop preferences!
As for powder I know that with smokeless loading I have spoken to many people that get very good results using Accurate Arms # 5744 powder. Personally I do shoot smokeless loads but my practice is so far out of the norm that I wont suggest it unless I know the person is an advanced loader with full understanding of all factors involved .
What I am doing is duplex loading smokeless powder. That is stacking two different smokeless powders slightly compressed so they don’t mix in the case. I too am loading this type of duplex smokeless powder to achieve BP equivalent velocity at 1300 fps.
I recently did a short right up about it at our web forum at bullshop free forums I believe in the general sub forum.
As for bullets you can check our full list at bullshop.weebly.com by scrolling to the more icon at the top right of the page. We likely have about 40 choices of both lube groove type and paper patch type available. I shoot both types but in my Sharps with 1/20” twist keep bullet weight closer to 500gn but in my Browning with 1/18” twist go as high as 550gn in bullet weight.
Hope this helps get the ball rolling for you.
The Bullshop