DPhillips,
I'll be PMing you shortly.

Thanks

NFMIKE- I played with the .405 and failed to even break 2000 fps with it in the M1895 win. Basically ran out of room and powders that would work as well as COL defined by the magazine. I long throated a TC Encore for .405 win and loaded some Woodleighs about .250 out from the cannelure and with H414 I was able to hit 2150 fps. The Encore can take way more than that also. Nevertheless, its a single shot and I'd dearly like a lever gun that could achieve that power level reliably. Thanks for the info on the .411 Hawk. I considered a .400 Brown Whelen, but the .411 Hawk might be just a little better.-Rob

Rob

I really don't know what the heck they do to the 405 M95s to restrict the magazine but it really ticks me off. If they already had a magazine that accepted 30-06 and 270, why choke it back for the 405. My Browning 30-40 is the same as the 405, so I have nothing to compare to as to what the differences are. As you know, any of the 40cals based on the 06 are pretty "powder challenged" and that turned out to be the "great search"; finding a powder that would fit, develop the velocity, and not exceed the pressures. Both BLC-2 and AA2230 respond to a drop tube very well to the point that you can get another 10% in to the case, at the same level. I don't particularly like ball powders but if that is the only thing that works, I will use it. I have been pleasantly surprised by AA2230. It has turned out to be the best powder (velocity vs pressure) for large expansion ratio cartridges that I have used. It is the top powder for the 458 Win, the 411 hawk, and it looks like it will do the same for 45-70. It will be the first powder that I try when I get around to screwing the 405 barrel on the test gun. It would seem to be too fast but at those expansion ratios, it burns more like H4895, the only difference being that you can get enough in and 4895 you can't.

DPhillips, that is the nicest, and I should think most practical '95 I've seen. I have been fighting the bug to get some kind of a high performance lever gun for over a year. Photos like your test my restraint. At one point I had a NIB BLR in 7 mag that was planned to go to Z-Hat for conversion to .416 Taylor, but I began to have doubts about the reliability of the lever gun when compared to a bolt gun, so I dropped the project. Now I'm having second thoughts.... again.

There is one thing that is very wrong with that rifle: the tang safety. Simply useless and dangerous at times. Am considering a remedy for that.

The other is the slanted magazine box, though I think I'm getting all from the rifle I really need, it would be easier to do if the box weren't tapered.

I had a 'smith get rid of the rebounding hammer feature and cut a half-cock notch on my '95. Now, use of the safety is optional. I may have it pinned to prevent accidental use (I'd pin it so the pin could be removed if I ever get rid of the gun). Safeties are only as good as their users.
He also added a Pachmayr pad without removing any wood. He heated the pad in hot water and formed it to match the curve of the butt. Very clean install.

Sights are next.

dphillips-

that is one SWEET looking rifle!!! thought of doing something similar to mine when i get it!!! where and who did the work th one of the most awesome m1895's i've ever seen?

I just trying to see how big a lever action could be done. 416 Taylor would be perfect but how much would it cost to get it done does anyone know.