Gents:
While my focus has been on my love affair with pre war doubles from the UK, I always will have a soft spot in my heart for certain Winchesters. I still have an express .50-95 with Holland sights and a short time ago found the perfect .405.

Manufactured in 1922 and retailed by Coombes LTD in Rangoon. This rifle is what I have been searchiing for: British proofs, takedown, sling eyes, shotgun butt, and a Winchester 4-leaf rear sight. The rifle came with dies and enough ammo and brass to last several lifetimes. My first target shot into 1 1/2" at 50 yards--a bit high and to the right but that can be adjusted.

It's really a cool rifle, fun to shoot, and has a history (albeit unknown) of hunting in Southeast Asia.
Cheers,
Cal

Nice find. I'm always amazed at how the 95 Winchester found its way into various places around the world.

Besides, the double maybe the quintessential British rifle but the lever action is Americas. It's in our genes.

What a superb piece of history Cal, great find. That gun should make any hunting trip even more memorable. If "guns could talk" as they say I'm sure we would all be spellbound at its history.

What are you going to load in it and what /where will you be hunting...Alaska or other far reaches?

I'm starting my own search for a .405 but as you know it is challenging...and then there is the brass and bullets additional challenge.

Thanks for sharing,
Paul

Cal - congrats on your 1895 .405 TD and the case.
As you may remember, I like mine so well that I have a Deluxe safe queen and a Simson .405 DR which is a hoot to shoot!
The cartridge is easy to load (.410 and .411 jacketed bullets from 210 to 400 grains) and very effective on game.

Paul, the only loading issue right now may the the availability of Hornady brass. Bullets, primers, and powders are readily available. There are several .405 shooters on various Internet forums, so load data is available there and in Lyman and other manuals.

Cal, that is a fantastic rifle and case combination. Too bad you can’t find a
“K.A.” monogram somewhere on the case.

Fellas:
Thanks for your comments.

A load that duplicates original ballsitics is 57 grains of IMR 3031 and a 300 grain Hornday soft nose or Woodliegh bullet: a bit over 2250 fps.

As this one is a keeper, I will sell my other .405. Solid frame, long Lyman sight, crescent butt, made in 1903 (a year before the .405 was cataloged). The former owner said it letters as a .35 but the barrel is original .405 with markings correct for the early date of the rifle. I don't know if there could be an error in the letter. Anyway, it comes with dies and brass. I also have a box of old Winchester ammo with the rifle, too, but I can't ship the ammo out of Alaska.

Nice catch Cal!

Paul:
As much as I like hunting and shooting my doubles, I will take the .405 and my express 50-95 model 1876 to Africa for plains game and also here in Alaska.
Cal

If it was anymore perfect it would be alive.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
If it was anymore perfect it would be alive.

Absolutely! Very nice, Cal!

Outstanding..

Cal,
An acquaintance on another forum has been working up 400 grain loads for his Miroku-Winchester 1895 .405 using N133 and Federal Match Magnum primers and has reached 2155 fps with low pressures. His target velocity is a bit higher and he will keep going after he properly tests peak pressures with Woodleigh bullets at 2155 fps.

Darned if that does not sound to me like a DG rifle !
What do you think?

Wonderful! Makes the .405 into a true buffalo rifle. When the gent completes his testing, let me know the results and I will try for the same.
Cal

Is he modifying the rifle in any way to reach 2150 with 400 grainers?

Cal, will do.

LH500, The only mod of which I am aware is extending the chamber to be able to crimp the 400 grain .411 Woodleigh bullet at the cannelure.
Same thing I had done to my 1895 .405 for the same reason.

very nice find, one can only imagine the gun's history and exploits

Excellent find! That one is meant to hunt. It deserves a good Lion hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
I will take the .405 and my express 50-95 model 1876 to Africa for plains game and also here in Alaska.
Cal

Cal, if you want to go even farther with the theme, Holt's has some British proved Winchester lever guns in the next auction.
a 32-20 or 44-40 would be an excellent small game/pot rifle.

Beautiful. A '95 is definitely on the wish list.

I found one in a Bazaar in Afghanistan for a lot of money. Like $1200. Had British proofs and Indian retailer markings.

Wasn't old enough to ensure that I could bring it back to the USA.

$1200 gamble.