Loading for a new 40-65

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Don McDowell
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by Don McDowell »

One of the 40-65’s that used to live here did well with 58 oe2f another preferred 60 and the only one left here likes 62
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
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Distant Thunder
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by Distant Thunder »

That's one of the things about the .40-65, it can be a bit challenged powder capacity wise. As has be noted there are bullets that are designed with one or more front bands reduced to bore diameter allowing the bullet to seat out farther giving more powder space. The bullet you're working with has a rather long shank which takes up that much needed space. 
I do not know the particulars of OE 2f and just how much powder compression it works well with. I use mostly Swiss 1 1/2 and it will tolerate a good deal of compression and there is often a second sweet spot in compression somewhere north of .200" and I have gone to over .300" compression in .45 caliber. Someone else should be able to say how much compression OE 2f likes.
You could have very good accuracy with that bullet and could work with it to learn about loading BP cartridges while you look at what would be a better choice in bullet.
For hunting deer size game you might do better with a shorter and lighter bullet in the 300 to 350 grain weight range, that would give you more powder capacity and higher velocity. With BP and a good lube you shouldn't have to worry about too much velocity or any leading as a result even with fairly soft bullets. The .40-65 was originally a levergun cartridge well spoken of as a hunting round and I believe it used bullets in the 260 grain range.
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marlinman93
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by marlinman93 »

I started out using OE 2f and a 24" drop tube. I found the slower I trickled it into the funnel at the top of my tube, the more powder my cases would take. I got 60 grs. of OE 2f with a .030" wad, and .2" compression.
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bpcr shooter
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by bpcr shooter »

Not sure if you have a lot of Goex but there wont be any for a while, as the plant blew up. IF it were me I would switch to Swiss and use 1.5F. At any rate, I would start at zero compression and add 1gr at a time (compress to the same place) til you reach .300. If no accuracy node is found try a different primer, Fed210, or possibly a LP primer. If you switch to swiss I would start at .085 and use a fed210.


good luck!!
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marlinman93
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by marlinman93 »

From what I've heard, unless another US company brings Goex out, there wont ever be anymore Goex. They announced the plant is permanently closed, so Alliant wont be reopening the Goex plant.

I hope to be working up loads for a new .40-65 between Christmas and New Years. I'm having my original DST Hepburn rifle's barrel replaced with a 1:16" twist, 34" full octagon, #4 weight barrel currently. Supposed to be done around Christmas, and I'll be working up loads using my 420 gr. Snover bullet, and Swiss 1 1/2 fg. Hopefully I can get it shooting this winter, and have loads figured out before things get going good next spring!
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desert deuce
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by desert deuce »

Just finished preliminary load development on two 40-65 rifles yesterday using the #740 Saeco Bullet, some 1-20 some 1-16 alloy.

Even tried 1-30 alloy, once. Tried F150M, CCI-300, Rem 2 1/2 & WLR. Swiss 1.5 Lot 16/02/2017. Starline and Remington FF cases.

Long Story Short: One rifle had previously shown a preference for 56 grains of this lot of Swiss by VOLUME = 53.8 grains by weight.

I started ladder loads at 51.5 grains ended at 60.0 fired 1/2 grain increments 200 yards off cross sticks on paper targets.
Started at .040" compression used same wad stack throughout. Which means compression increased as powder was added to same COAL.

Long Story Even Shorter: Both rifles showed a preference at 53.5 & 57.5 grains on paper. Primer did not seem to matter too much.

Moving to the Turkey and Ram Swinger: The left over rounds from an earlier match of 53.8 grain with F150M and 1-20 alloy put five consecutive shots on the leg of the Turkey swinger and five consecutive shots on the Ram with almost no vertical variation both iron sights and scope and this was with variable winds 5-11 mps from 6-8 O'clock. (This is where the F150M Primer took a commanding lead.)

Yes Virginia, the lighter load held up better in that wind that day.

I am not advocating this load will work best in your rifle, no, not at all.

I am suggesting this method to determine the best load for your rifle for silhouette and probably mid range.

This easily took over 300 rounds down range, each rifle.
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nlb34
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by nlb34 »

I got out to the range today and got 40 rounds fired off. One issue that came up and I would like some advice on. I probably had 25% of the primers misfire, they all fired on a second try. A few details:
  • Rifle is a new just delivered model 1877, 40-65
  • Primers are CCI large rifle no. 200
  • Never fired Starline brass
  • Temp outside was 15 degrees F
  • The 3rd round missed, the next 20 rounds were ok and then almost every one misfired after that
beltfed
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by beltfed »

Clean out the firing pin and its place in the breechblock?
Perhaps some crud in there to slow down the firing pin
Also, check firing pin protrusion from the breech block
beltfed/arnie
Kurt
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by Kurt »

You might check if your seating the primers all the way down.
And call Kirk at Shiloh and he will advice you what to do.
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nlb34
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by nlb34 »

Went out today and had no failures with 75 shots. I used more of the same CCI 200 primers and also used some Federal primers, additionally it was 30 degrees outside. For now I will assume something didn't like the cold yesterday.
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bpcr shooter
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by bpcr shooter »

You can measure the depth of your primer pocket, then the primer you are using. subtract primer from primer pocket and you should have .005ish left. If your not seating it deep enough your firing pin is pushing in your primer in causing a misfire, now you can push to deep, this is primer crush. Normally this is reserved for benchrest shooters but its something to be aware of. You need to seat it enough to do the job and no more, Bp is very easy to light and shooting in 30deg temp shold make zero difference. shooting here in Wi at 20-25deg has never been a problem.
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mike herth
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by mike herth »

How are you dealing with wet patches for wiping at 25 degrees? My fingers and patches both freeze!
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kenny sd
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by kenny sd »

409 395C BACO.
knowing there are MANY opinions about size and mold. In my 40 70 SS Shiloh with a 1 in 16 twist.
I am testing the .409 vs the .408 and find the .409 shoots better.

I have the BACO .409 375 money and while it has a great reputation, in MY gun, the rounded nose of the .409 395 SEEMS to shoot tighter.
It could be a number of things. including the shirt I wear while loading! Who knows?

So far, for this gun and my eyes. here is the best loads

40 70 SS Shiloh 30 inch standard weight . Same barrel as the 40 65 uses .
shells have to be expended only at the top and very slightly to avoid damaging the bullet on hand seating. It should
slip fit in without side contact. then very slightly die crimped to hold the bullet. Always the SAME pressure.
63 of swiss 1 1/2 weighed and drop tubed.
060 BA veggie wad and two newspaper wads on top of that.
comp at 1/16 inch setting by micrometer die of course, Never let the bullet comp the load.
1 in16,cast, (but one in 20 should be OK too) ladle cast and unisized/pan lubed with SPG
weight used is between .393 + and .395, all others go back to the pot.
hand set bullet just touching the wads

total cart. length is 3.22. this was measured with the bullet just missing the lands, and using the .409 395C1 BACO

This is MY load, and you can use the info as you see fit. Not the end all of loads for the .40 I agree.
I shoot 5 and blow tube twice between shots. it shoots better from a cold barrel
sweet spot on MY barrel is 4 1/2 inches from the muzzle . wood bench cross sticks

the same load as above with 65 Swiss 1 1/2 and a total ctg. length of .330 works and shows the first grease grove over the case mouth.
This load has worked well and may allow the bullet to get closer to the rifling. more testing coming on this load.
Each load chambers easily.

Ken
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by Kenny Wasserburger »

You’re not blowing nearly enough. Even for Florida.

Wipe is the most consistent method to control fouling.


KW
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bpcr shooter
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Re: Loading for a new 40-65

Post by bpcr shooter »

mike herth wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 2:50 pm How are you dealing with wet patches for wiping at 25 degrees? My fingers and patches both freeze!
bore pigs in a tub of water/oil
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