I took my recently purchased 1886 ELWTD .45-90 WCF rifle along this morning to do a bit of load testing. At noon, when the temp was approaching the high 90s in the shade, I set my table, chrono, and target up in the only place that is out of the way. No shade and hot as Hades. I took a bunch of pics, but my photo program won't load for some reason. Probably too many photos on it. If it ever decides to work I'll toss several hundred old pictures.
The first load consisted of 40 grs IMR 3031 and 300 grain Laser Cast bullets loaded in Starline brass and sparked by Winchester LR primers.
The five shots had MVs of 1580, 1582, 1583, 1583, and 1580 FPS. Recoil was negligible and the gun ran very smoothly. All cases ejected easily and were nice and clean.
The next load was a real hum dinger. Crikey! It was not near a heavy load but turned out to be quite a steamer. 300 grain Barnes Original jacketed FPs in front of 52.5 grains IMR 4198. Same Starline brass and Winchester primers. Again, 5 shots were fired. MVs were 2454, 2447, 2441, 2443, and 2451 FPS. No problem, the cases ejected easily and presented no issues. The primers were perfect and showed zero signs of pressure. Recoil, on the other hand was severe. The steel butt plate carved up my shoulder, despite the PAST recoil shield that I was wearing. There are bloody spots on my T-shirt. This is probably due to my card table being a bit low and me having to bend forward on the rest. All shots turned out high and to the right of the bull, with only two in each group within the outer ring. The gun has a Lyman No 21 rear sight that was lowered all the way, but probably needs to be drifted to the left some. Later, I will try some other loads, especially those with Barnes 250 grain TSX bullets
I have a box of those TSXs loaded with 64 grains IMR 3031, but those will be torn down and reloaded with 60 grains. At the rate things are goin', those all copper bullets would be going nearly 2600 FPS if left as-is. Nope, that ain't gonna happen. I know that the short 250s will be mule deer killers for sure and will be good out to at least 200 yds. When I get then reloaded I'll do a chrono test on them and report.
I'm very happy with this light little gun. It did very well, considering it's 104 yr age and my sweat filled eyes. I forgot my cover and the sun baked my head a bit too much. Dang the CA summer heat.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)