I have a new Winchester model 1885 in .405 Winchester. Question - are the published loads conservative since this round was created for lever action rifles which were designed years ago and not as strong? I currently get 2400 fps with a 300gr Hornady pointed bullet with no pressure signs.

The Browning M1879/Winchester M1885 is a black powder design. It is generally regarded as a medium strength action, suitable for smokeless cartridges in the '06 case size at 55-58,000 Psi loads. Steve Meacham builds probably the finest 1885 replicas, and that is what he figures. You 404 is about the same size so go from there. Like a boltrifle, if you get sticky extraction or a stuck case, you have gone too far.

Common sense always applies.

Rich
DRSS

Search some reload data. Powders vary considerably with respect to pressures and velocities. Find a powder w/ low pressure and high velocity and then develop your load. (I didn't say exceed published loads, did I?)

Nothing like a stuck case and flattened primer to give one pause.

Well, they do make that rifle chambered for belted magnum cartridges so the action should be able to take it no problem. But isn't the factory 405 ammo powerful enough?

powerful enough? Yes, but the better velocity I can get the better trajectory and range for the deer hunting in "primitive" weapons season. What I really need is some lighter pointed bullets but so far I haven't found any. Also I am just curious if this round is like some (45LC e.g.) which list loads for early production vs. current production weapons. Thanks.

Just how far do you want to shoot in the "primitive" season anyways? Your already cheating the system. You need some morals more than you need the extra velocity.

Woodrow, LA along with MS is a state that has a GOOD state Game & Fish organization, good enough to ensure that we have so durn many whitetails that they've actually become a dangerous nuisance more than a game animal. The 'Primitive' season now includes any CF smokeless powder cartridge single shot rifle made to resemble an old one and using a cartridge of 38 cal or larger. Hunters are encouraged and in most cases REQUIRED to kill a certain number of does, to keep the population down.

You should encourage your own Game & Fish folks to contact ours, to discover just HOW they managed to grow our state's deer population by a full order of magnitude(10x) or more in only my lifetime. When I was a teenager I hunted here for more than 8 years before seeing live horns in the woods but nowadays I can get a good buck most any time. Most places around here have an 8-point-or-better rule(eastern count of course).
Regards, Joe

Morals to me are governed by the Bible but in this country, like it or not, they seem to be governed by our laws. "Cheating" is breaking the laws. I do not. I follow the state law and make humane kills. To answer your question on how far - as far as I can be sure of my shot. That is yet to be determined as I haven't had much time to shoot the rifle. (PS - I sure didn't mean to offend you.) Any input to the question at hand would be appreciated.
Joe - thanks as you are correct - Mississippi and Louisiana have so many deer they have changed the laws to kill more deer than I care to fool with. On our property we do require at least 1 doe before a buck.

Dangerous nuisance. Before I retired I made a 120-mi commute each day, much of it along the Natchez Trace and the remainder along a rural 2-lane blacktop. Lots of trees & undergrowth close to the road.

In one 2-year period I killed 5 deer with my truck; the last one almost killed me, and the resulting injuries ultimately caused my retirement. In MS and LA whitetail deer are VERY plentiful nowadays!
Regards, Joe