[Sunday Creek]

My in-laws came to the ranch for Ressurection Day and my father-in-law brought his cherry 1886 Winchester .40-65 and a box of reloaded ammo that he purchased mail order in 1940. He'd never shot this ammo and gave me the opportunity but the cartridges would not enter the loading gate nor the breech. It appears they are .45-70 cases that were not properly sized down. Any one have experience with this caliber and sources for bullets and cases? Also, any idea what this rifle would be worth? It is is excellent condition..

 

[CEJ1895]

Sunday Creek - Did you try asking on the Marlin Talk collectors forum? Either Marlinman93 or Doc Sharptail might be able to help you out. That rifle sounds like a great piece! Hope this helps.. CEJ..

 

[Rmouleart]

You have a nice vintage rifle there, Its a keeper...Tom Horn would agree , good luck. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

P.S. I did find a place that has brass but not cheap
also some prices on vitage rifles, your rifle may be worth a good penny there is a few different types thinwalled/thickwalled/highwalled 40/65's maybe this is the issu...
http://www.customreloads.com/brass.html

http://www.ballardrifles.com/specials.htm

http://groups.msn.com/BPCR/marshshiwall4065.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=195

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976316930.htm

 

[dclark1]

You have a real keeper! It was NOT used by Tom Horn, regardless of what the movie said, however. He used that new-fangled cartridge, the .30-30. 1901.

Ken Waters did a very good article on the .40-65 in Handloader a couple of years ago. You might try Wolfe Publishing for it. If that fails, let me know and I will photocopy the article and send it to you. He found several problems and solutions, as Starline is now producing accurate brass for it. It is almost a .45-70 necked down, with some substantial changes. Let me know if you need the article.

dclark

 

[Sunday Creek]

Thanks, everyone. If I can get some reloads made it would be a great thing for my father-in-law and for me. DClark1, I would appreciate a copy of the article. My address is:
John L. Moore
HC 33
Miles City, MT 59301
I see you live in Rawlins. I have a young friend there, Jeff Harmon. Jeff does a little competition pistol shooting. Send me the article and I will send you one of my books, either a novel or a copy of my little book on the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.

 

[Rmouleart]

I did some research years ago and Tom Horn did use a 40/65 on Buffalo unless the info I read was bogus. I can't see him shooting buff with a 30/30
The 30/30 was used on two people shooting them in the head, before he was hanged in 1903. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

http://www.sky.net/~fogel/tom_horn.htm

 

[dclark1]

Sunday Creek,

I will dig out the article on the .40-65 and send it on. I shoot with Jeff on a regular basis and like him, his wife and two kids. A lot. Good Guy.

Tom Horn may have used a .40-65 at one time or another. His famous rifle, however, was a .30-30. That was the one that he was hanged over. The appeal, Horn v. State, can be found in the Wyo Supreme Court opinion of that name.

dclark

 

[Sunday Creek]

Thanks, dclark. Tell Jeff hello from his former senior teen Sunday School teacher. His dad is one of my closest friends. (You might also playfully remind him that he is about six years late on the .357Mag reloads he was going to work up for me>) By the way everyone. I have dies and brass for the .40-65. I am now looking for a good source for bullets.

 

[dclark1]

Sunday Creek,

I snail-mailed the article today. Hope it is useful.

dclark

 

[Eric Gibson]

40/65 factory brass is now availavle from starline. I use a Lyman 420gn Snover cast bullet in my Sharps with excellent accuracy.
As for it's value, just take it to the range and see how many fiends you have who want to help you shoot it. MeMeMeMe!!

 

[dclark1]

Sunday Creek,

I got the book. Neat book! It will have to be passed around the office. Thanks.

dclark