Win. .45-90

[GJZ]

A friend of mine from the northwest bought a neat Winchester .45-90 1886 model (made possibly in 1894). He hasn't shot it yet but would like to.
Would any of you happen to have any info that may help, where to get ammo, reloading components, etc.

[Ralph]

Try Dixie Gun Works. They have a lot of odd cartridge stuff.

As I recall, the .45-90 is the .45-70 with a longer case, so the only component needed specifically for the .45-90 is the brass and the die needed for full-length resizing.

There was a guy turning brass cases for the larger stuff from solid stock (they are expensive but last a looooong time). Problem is, I don't recall the name or even where I read about it.

[anthracitic]

http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/

[GJZ]

Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on to him, he will really appreciate the help!

[bill s]

Also, once he gets the cases, keep in mind the purpose of the 45-90 originally - it was intended to be what they called then an "express" cartridge, more powder, lighter bullets - so original barrels in this caliber had less twist than 45-70 ones - I believe the original bullet for the 45-90 was a 300 grainer. So you can probably expect best results with the 'lighter" bullets, 300-350 grain instead of the 430-550gr 'dutch ovens" that people use in the 45-70. AC Gould, one of the founders of the NRA wrote a book, Modern American Rifles, in the 1880's, he had a lot of praise for the 45-90, considered it one of the very best hunting cartridges. Bill

[GJZ]

I think I might have a catalog/book from Dixie Gun Works. Rocky Mountain Cartridge only sells brass, but offered some helpful advise; my friend found some 45-90 ammo at Cabela's which RMC advised not to use in the original barrel because of the jacketed bullets. I'll let him know about the twist rate and lighter bullets.

Thanks again, Greg

[jdb3]

Make sure he uses black powder or one of the substitutes. Smokeless powder might cause the kind of surprise no one wants. Go to the GOEX page (http://goexpowder.com/phpBB2/) and look at their cartrige forum for more help. Jim