Search found 332 matches

by JFE
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:21 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: one shot with a 44 or 45 lever, whats you load
Replies: 29
Views: 688

Re: one shot with a 44 or 45 lever, whats you load

The OP asked about a 44 vs 45 LC. The 45/70 is no doubt a much bigger hammer. In rifles of the same strength, you can put the greater capacity of the 45LC case to good use. It has about 20% more capacity and the same weight pills are much shorter. A 45LC loaded to the same pressure is probably good ...
by JFE
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:03 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Hornady 250gr RN bullets in 35 Remington
Replies: 7
Views: 350

Re: Hornady 250gr RN bullets in 35 Remington

I have loaded 250gr cast pills in my 35 Rem. I developed a load that clips along at 2000 fps and is very accurate (and safe in my rifle). As you probably are aware the 35 Rem has a twist rate of 1 in 16”, which is actually the same as Remingtons in 35 Whelen. The bullets stabilised well in that twis...
by JFE
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Ok so, lever actions in 50AE
Replies: 20
Views: 1252

Re: Ok so, lever actions in 50AE

Mic McPherson built a few but he’s retired.

In Oz I have heard of a couple of conversions made on a Marlin 1894.
by JFE
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 94P. What to do with it?
Replies: 24
Views: 1458

Re: 94P. What to do with it?

I have a B-92 project gun that had a badly bulged barrel and shot 240s just fine before I sawed the barrel off . . . Assuming you rebuild your B-92 in 44 mag I’d be tempted to use a pistol spec barrel with a tighter bore and faster twist. Rifle chamber reamers in 44 mag also include a long throat, ...
by JFE
Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:19 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 94P. What to do with it?
Replies: 24
Views: 1458

Re: 94P. What to do with it?

If you review the SAAMI spec for the 44 mag in a rifle and compare them to the SAAMI spec for the 44 mag in pistol you will find they are virtually two different cartridges. Different barrel and chamber dimensions. The pistols have a tighter barrel diameter and twist whereas the rifles have signific...
by JFE
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 348 Winchester, 250 grain Silvertip load?
Replies: 21
Views: 4515

Re: 348 Winchester, 250 grain Silvertip load?

For 250gr pills in the 348, H4350 is the powder that is often recommended. It’s the one I used for loads using Barnes 250 gr originals. I achieved 2300fps and very decent accuracy.
by JFE
Sun Oct 15, 2023 3:56 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1886 45-70
Replies: 14
Views: 792

Re: 1886 45-70

I’d recommend a Browning 1886. They were released as a 22” barrel SRC or a 26” Oct barrel rifle. These models had no rebounding hammers or tang safeties. They are very popular and you’ll have no trouble selling it at a later stage.
by JFE
Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:28 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Alaskan Adventure
Replies: 23
Views: 945

Re: Alaskan Adventure

Alaska is a wonderful place. Even Aussies lust after hunting there. I got my chance back in 2012 when a cancelled moose hunt came up at a reknowned camp on the Alaskan Penninsula. I booked and hunted that September. My biggest decision was what firearms to take. I wanted to take a levergun and my FA...
by JFE
Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New (To Me) Marlin Original Golden 39A
Replies: 10
Views: 381

Re: New (To Me) Marlin Original Golden 39A

The lever on mine was quite floppy - it would drop about 1/2” to 3/4” with the action closed. Anyhow, some of the remedies I read about suggested a spring was broken and needed replacement. I was dreading this as finding and importing that sort of stuff is a nightmare these days. I partially dismant...
by JFE
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Hardening cast bullets
Replies: 11
Views: 494

Re: Hardening cast bullets

GunnyMack wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:56 pm [quote=JFE post_id=979245 time=<a href="tel:1696200295">1696200295</a> user_id=782]
Have you tried slugging the barrel ?

Maybe the slugs you’re using are undersized.
No, I don't have any round balls large enough to slug a 20 gauge!
[/quote]

Perhaps try a barrel sinker?
by JFE
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:14 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New (To Me) Marlin Original Golden 39A
Replies: 10
Views: 381

Re: New (To Me) Marlin Original Golden 39A

Good find. They are great rimfire leverguns. About a year ago I picked up one, a Mountie, that was made around 1960. I bought it sight unseen at auction and unbeknown to me it had the floppy lever syndrome. Anyhow, after a bit of google investigation it needed a bit of tightening and adjustment. For...
by JFE
Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Hardening cast bullets
Replies: 11
Views: 494

Re: Hardening cast bullets

Have you tried slugging the barrel ?

Maybe the slugs you’re using are undersized.
by JFE
Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:57 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Second levergun..
Replies: 12
Views: 671

Re: Second levergun..

Congrats on the 25/20. They’re a cute little cartridge. Since you’re in Oz, I’d suggest considering a 94BB in 375 Win. Quite a number were sold in Oz when they didn’t sell in the US. When the 94BB was revised to become AE version, Winchester fitted a heavier barrel (as well as making a few other cha...
by JFE
Fri Sep 15, 2023 8:34 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bullard Leveraction
Replies: 10
Views: 940

Re: Bullard Leveraction

wvfarrier wrote: Thu Sep 14, 2023 5:27 am It would be amazing to see Henry or Winchester do a limited run of them
It would more likely be a manufacturer like Pedersoli. They make a large range of older long discontinued firearms.
by JFE
Thu Aug 17, 2023 5:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"
Replies: 34
Views: 2394

Re: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"

Well boys I finally got the Reamer for this about three months ago from Manson Reamers, great quality as usual. Hornady requires a fire formed cartridge to make the dies, so I need to somehow load a couple rounds the hard way. I haven’t reamed the 1886 yet, just haven’t had time, working on a coupl...
by JFE
Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1886 .45-70 to .50-110
Replies: 7
Views: 409

Re: 1886 .45-70 to .50-110

This question gets asked every few months. There’s a lot of internal work required to make the larger cartridge fit and cycle in an 1886 or 71.

Here’s some info from a different site that you might useful:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthrea ... st17996497
by JFE
Sat Jul 22, 2023 4:47 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Any love for Browning Replica Levers?
Replies: 27
Views: 1483

Re: Any love for Browning Replica Levers?

I’m a big fan of Browning leverguns and have managed to pick up a few over the years:

B-71 in 348 Win
B-92 in 44 mag
B-92 in 357 mag
B-1886 in 45/70
B-71 converted to 45/90

It’s a pity they don’t make them like that anymore.
by JFE
Fri Jul 21, 2023 5:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 38 special and 44 special RNFP Home defense ammo out of carbines
Replies: 33
Views: 1010

Re: 38 special and 44 special RNFP Home defense ammo out of carbines

I think it might be difficult finding what you are looking for in factory ammo. A soft cast HP at subsonic speeds will do what you want but not only will you need to reload, you will also need to cast your own bullets. Mould makers like MP-Molds and NOE should be able to provide the style of mould y...
by JFE
Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .50-70 Gov't question
Replies: 40
Views: 5687

Re: .50-70 Gov't question

Guys, I know that this may sound wrong, but I think I want to try loading for my .50-70 Sharps with smokeless powder. Has anyone tried this? Its a carbine and I don't need a heavy load, though I think that Shiloh action will take a lot more pressure than I would want to load. I'm thinking about pla...
by JFE
Wed Mar 08, 2023 7:22 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Winchester 71, 348Winchester lovers?
Replies: 47
Views: 1840

Re: Winchester 71, 348Winchester lovers?

I’ve got 2 Browning 71’s. One is a carbine in 348W and the other was a rifle that I had converted to 45/90. I used a takeoff barrel from a Winoku 1886 lightweight in 45/70 and I had the magazine retention setup modified - it’s works perfectly fine for the 348, but is a known weak area if using heavy...
by JFE
Sun Feb 12, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: MP Molds
Replies: 23
Views: 825

Re: MP Molds

I have a number of MP moulds and as others have mentioned the build quality and engineering is great. The major attraction is his take on how he makes multiple cavity HP moulds. I have bought mine via group buys on the Castboolits forum. This may not be a quick process, however the designs are initi...
by JFE
Tue Dec 27, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Ranch dog 240 gr 44 data?
Replies: 5
Views: 367

Re: Ranch dog 240 gr 44 data?

Lead bullets generate lower pressure compared to jacked bullets due to less friction.
by JFE
Wed Oct 19, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Win 94 Big Bore question
Replies: 18
Views: 1227

Re: Win 94 Big Bore question

I am not sure about the barrel threads but I have read before that they are different between the top eject and angle eject models. I have a top eject 375 and an angle eject 375 and the barrel on the AE model is a larger diameter. Assuming all the AE models share the same barrel diameter, you would ...
by JFE
Wed Oct 19, 2022 12:54 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 50-110 Load Data (with actual usable info)
Replies: 4
Views: 1343

Re: 50-110 Load Data (with actual usable info)

I ran into a lot of the same recently. People either telling me "That thing is gonna hurt you" or "You can't make up mild loads for that cartridge" etc. My foray into reloading for my .50-140 has been extremely slow, and I'm not a patient guy. Don't think it's ever taken me quit...
by JFE
Tue Sep 27, 2022 7:33 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: am I exaggerating 44 mag recoil
Replies: 33
Views: 2968

Re: am I exaggerating 44 mag recoil

Those carbine buttstocks aren’t designed for heavy recoil, plus it’s a fairly light weight rifle. One of those lace up stock sleeves will help but the comb is still thin and not well shaped. On my B-1886 SRC I found the carbine buttstock made heavy loads hard to handle. I acquired a takeoff buttstoc...
by JFE
Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Winchester 94 non-stamped carrier
Replies: 12
Views: 989

Re: Winchester 94 non-stamped carrier

I had a late 60’s / early 70’s 1894 in 44mag - it had a stamped carrier. The carrier was prone to breaking in half when the action was open. I replaced the lifter several times and then replaced it for the last time and moved it on. I replaced the rifle with a Browning 92 in 44 mag.
by JFE
Sat Sep 17, 2022 8:56 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: USPS Thieves
Replies: 33
Views: 2338

Re: USPS Thieves

A couple of years ago I bought some tools in the US and had them sent by USPS priority. Normally post only takes 2-3 weeks to reach here from the US. On this occasion the parcel turned up about 5 months later and the packaging was intact and nothing was missing.
by JFE
Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:45 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Browning 1886 vs Turnbull 1886
Replies: 54
Views: 2599

Re: Browning 1886 vs Turnbull 1886

You might like to call Turnbull to verify this, but my understanding is that the 1886 rifles they produce these days are based on the Chiappa rifles/actions. I recall reading that Turnbull had Chiappa make all the parts with the original threads (not metric), one piece firing pins etc., so that part...
by JFE
Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:49 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1892 SRC 25-20
Replies: 19
Views: 1045

Re: 1892 SRC 25-20

My vote is to keep the 25-20 original and if you want a 357, then buy a late model levergun in 357. The biggest issue is brass. Factory ammo is quite expensive these days. Brass for the 25-20 is only produced periodically by Winchester. Wait until it’s available and then lay down a heap of it. Starl...
by JFE
Sun Aug 28, 2022 7:16 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 45-70 heavy squib loads
Replies: 4
Views: 470

Re: 45-70 heavy squib loads

I’d contact CBE for suggestions. They will probably need your OAL with that bullet in order to provide guidance.
by JFE
Mon Aug 01, 2022 5:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Rabbit load.
Replies: 25
Views: 1481

Re: Rabbit load.

You might want to see if you can find some commercial cast pills in the UK for your rabbit loads. With jacketed bullets loaded backwards you will likely end up with a short OAL which may not feed well from the magazine. The article below provides some pointers. https://leverguns.com/articles/paco/30...
by JFE
Sun Jul 31, 2022 3:27 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Which of your guns would you take to Africa?
Replies: 38
Views: 1897

Re: Which of your guns would you take to Africa?

For an African trip I’d take my 458 Win Mag and two scopes in QD mounts. One scope sighted in for 450-500gr loads and the other sighted in for a Barnes 350gr TSX for plains game. The rifle is LH CZ550 that I had converted to 458 Win using a factory barrel (they only released lefties in 375H&H an...
by JFE
Sat Jul 16, 2022 5:34 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Easy 357 mold question
Replies: 5
Views: 453

Re: Easy 357 mold question

Most mould manufacturers have their own take on the SWC design. The commercially cast bullets you see likely feature the design offered by the commercial mould makers like Magma, e.g. https://www.magmaengineering.com/magma-custom-bullet-molds/ For some history on the SWC design introduction and it’s...
by JFE
Fri May 27, 2022 9:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 38-56--anyone have one? Want info on it
Replies: 4
Views: 581

Re: 38-56--anyone have one? Want info on it

If you’re not after something traditional, take a look at the 375 Renner. https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/ammo-brief-the-niche-375-renner http://www.rjrenner.com/.375-loads-.html To chamber you need a 375H&H reamer and the dies are shortened 375H&H dies, so it’s fairly easy to mak...
by JFE
Fri May 27, 2022 9:57 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Browning 92, 357magnum
Replies: 10
Views: 1011

Re: Browning 92, 357magnum

I’ve tried some factory 38 Spec and seem to cycle OK. My rifle doesn’t like SWC’s in either 38 Spec or 357 cases.
by JFE
Sat May 21, 2022 4:57 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Browning 92, 357magnum
Replies: 10
Views: 1011

Re: Browning 92, 357magnum

Congrats. They are worth waiting for.

I’d been waiting to pick one one up for years and when I finally found one I wasn’t disappointed.

Enjoy your new toy.
by JFE
Wed May 18, 2022 5:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

B92 357 handloads. All the usual caveats apply: the loads were safe in my rifle and you need to reduce the charges and work up in your own rifle. 125 RNFP bullets I was after an accurate plinking/small game load using commercially cast bullets. I picked a locally made 125gr RNFP design that the cowb...
by JFE
Wed May 18, 2022 10:55 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

Any chance you could share some load data, I will verify with my Load manuals, reduce starting loads, use at my own risk. I just (today) got a browning92. :D Congrats and well done finding a B92. They really are a well made rifle. Which caliber? I saw from your other thread that it’s a 357. They ar...
by JFE
Wed May 18, 2022 10:35 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

big bear wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 11:07 pm Any chance you could share some load data, I will verify with my Load manuals, reduce starting loads, use at my own risk. I just (today) got a browning92. :D
Congrats and well done finding a B92. They really are a well made rifle.

Which caliber?
by JFE
Wed May 18, 2022 10:28 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

[quote=JFE post_id=944912 time=<a href="tel:1652617145">1652617145</a> user_id=782] or just rebarrel the Browning. That way you can correct the bore, twist and throat. What specs would you select if you were to go that route again JFE? [/quote] Personally, I’d look for a barrel that had a...
by JFE
Sun May 15, 2022 7:19 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

I might give this gun a miss I am thinking with that twist and bore size. Gee the 44 mag has several desirable attributes in a rifle ....but unfortunately they are all all spread across several different brands! If you want .429 bore, tight twist and quality the one that ticks the most boxes is a u...
by JFE
Sun May 15, 2022 7:08 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: The MicPherson 454 Casull Rossi Puma Letter of Provenance
Replies: 17
Views: 1158

Re: The MicPherson 454 Casull Rossi Puma Letter of Provenance

That’s a big decision to quit your job to look after your mother. Good luck with it. McPherson must have spent a lot of time on your rifle. I’ve got one of his books and it’s a great resource. Some of tricks he used are detailed in his book but It would have been helpful if he provided more detail o...
by JFE
Sat May 14, 2022 4:43 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

With my 44mag I didn’t work this stuff out overnight - it took me years to figure it out. Trying to make cast work was very frustrating. The previous owner warned me about its behaviour with cast. After trying all sorts of things with no success I was going give in and convert it to 45LC. In the end...
by JFE
Sat May 14, 2022 1:16 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

With my B92 I fed it a series of heavier cast bullet loads. It only started to show signs of instability using bullets over 340gr. It groups the 300gr RNFP cast pills (which is a fairly short bullet) as good as any jacketed bullet loads.
by JFE
Fri May 13, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 35 rem marlin
Replies: 30
Views: 2115

Re: 35 rem marlin

I have a Marlin in 35Rem. I originally bought it to convert to 358Win as cases are so hard to find here. Anyhow I acquired enough cases to get me going. As mentioned it is under loaded at the factory for use in a Marlin. However, top end loads close the gap on 356/358 ballistics, enough to make me r...
by JFE
Fri May 13, 2022 4:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: browning 92 in 44 mag
Replies: 32
Views: 2916

Re: browning 92 in 44 mag

I have B92’s in 44 mag and 357. Both are great carbines. The 44 has multi groove rifling somewhat like Marlin’s microgroove rifling. If you check SAAMI for 44mag rifle specs and 44 mag pistol specs you will find they are spec-ed completely differently. Different barrel dimensions, twists and throats...
by JFE
Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"
Replies: 34
Views: 2394

Re: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"

Here’s a link to a reference to the experimental 46 WCF: http://www.cartridgecollector.net/46-winchester-center-fire Looks promising, I wonder what the H2O volume is? 577Nitro- In practical terms I doubt you’d lose much capacity compared to your wildcat, but the long neck of the 46 WCF would be han...
by JFE
Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:25 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"
Replies: 34
Views: 2394

Re: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"

Here’s a link to a reference to the experimental 46 WCF:

http://www.cartridgecollector.net/46-wi ... enter-fire
by JFE
Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:30 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"
Replies: 34
Views: 2394

Re: New Wildcat Project for my 1886 450 2.44"

Your 450 wildcat is a logical extension of the 450 Alaskan. The 450 Alaskan was designed around the 348 Win case but with good strong brass available in 50/110, it would make sense to design a new cartridge that would utilise a full length 50/110 case. I assume your wildcat is based on a necked down...
by JFE
Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Just purchased a large frame Win1894 in 450Marlin
Replies: 33
Views: 2674

Re: Just purchased a large frame Win1894 in 450Marlin

Nice pick up.

I don’t know that the length, width and depth of the action is any different to a regular 94 action. It would be interesting to compare that action with a regular 94.