I recently purchased a new Winchester 1895 and just got my set of dies, brass, and 300gr Hornady bullets for it.
For those out there that have experience with this rifle or a vintage version, what powders seem to stand out for consistent accuracy in the 405?

H 4895,IMR 4895, RE-7: 300gr.

IMR 4064, XMR 4064, Re-15: 400gr.

Mine shot the factory Hornady SP's into half-dollar 100yd groups
with old eyes and that d*#n buckhorn;
with the Providence Tool 21 Lyman copy --
it shoots even better.

I read somewhere that the factory load was a 300gr bullet in front of 50gr of 3031 and 2126fps. That and the following are listed in Williamson's book "The Winchester Lever Legacy". He also shows Barnes 300gr with 57gr for 2268 (grim) and 56gr of 4895 for 2137. He says the Lyman bullet #412263GC is THE cast bullet for it.

hope this is of some assistance...

Rich

In my 405 Win 1895 I use IMR 3031, mainly because I have a bunch of it.

So far 54.5gr with the North Fork 300gr Soft shoots good. Velocity 2250fps.

With the 300gr Hornady I cannot tell much diffeence between 54gr., 2152fps or 55 gr.,2225fps.

Hornady 300gr FP Factory ammo does 2265fps.

I have not shot mine that much but have used 4895, 3031, and a bit of varget, but not enough for accuracy testing.

I agree about the Providence tool copy of the Lyman 21 sight, it really improves things for my old eyes.

I use Benchmark at Hodgdon's recommendation, they list 53gr start at 2206fps in their 24" barrel, 2404fps with 59gr max using the Hornady 300gr FP.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Thanks a bunch guys! This will give me a good place to start. I will probably try the H4895 first then work up to the faster powders later, i.e. 3031.

quote:

Accuratereloading.com The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Winchester 1895 .405WCF

I just came across this thread and will share my favorite(so far) loads:
I worked up to 55.6 grains of N133 with any of the 300 grain North Fork bullets for the .405 give 2250 fps and good accuracy. The factory Hornady bullets also give good accuracy and are very effective on most game, but for tough stuff like the water buffalo, Nilgai, and such, I went to the North Fork.

Be careful with case length in once fired cases. Some of these rifles were tight chambered and a long case (untrimmed) will stick the bullet in the rifling-KABOOOM!

Reloder 7 or IMR3031. 4895 is too slow as is Varget unless you really really like heavily compressed powder charges or are only after light loads with poor burn efficiency (ready unburned powder).

I wish you guys would stop talking about the 1895 in 405Winnie. I got a deal on one, but can't get the rifle until late June from the current owner.

Just STOP IT!!

Rich

I have been using 45 gr of IMR4198 and 300gr barnesx so far its good on paper 1 1/2" groups at 100 yrds

I love the 2009 TR commemoratives from Winchester.
1895 in 405 Winchester, 100th anniversary of the safari rifle that was "Big Medicine" for simba.
However, same medicine failed to save Mr. Cottar from the rhino.

Ah, well. If Mr. Cottar had put down the handcranked movie camera and started shooting the charging rhino sooner, he might at least have turned it or slowed it down!

A chicken in every pot, a 405 WCF M1895 in every home!

DRG says: Kiss my grits!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RIP:

Ah, well. If Mr. Cottar had put down the handcranked movie camera and started shooting the charging rhino sooner, he might at least have turned it or slowed it down!

/QUOTE]