[Eric]

Is anybody familiar with the Win 1895 and the .405 Win cartridge? Thinking of it for a moose, grizzly and caribou rifle.

 

[Bill Lester]

This combination would do an excellent job for the game you mentioned, and has been for quite some time. I am a long-time reader of Theodore Roosevelt and Stewart Edward White, both of whom thought it just "bully" for lions, tigers, and bears. Today it is even better with superior quality bullets like those from Hawk or Woodleigh. It and the 444 Marlin are largely ballistic twins.

As for the rifle itself, I find it takes a bit getting used to but once its manual of arms is mastered the Winchester 95 is a good one. You must be careful to properly load the magazine or you can jam the action but good. It is very strong and can accept the high pressures of the .30-06 and .270 without problems. I was very close
last year to buying a Browning reproduction in .30-06 but didn't and I somewhat regret it now.

Handloading for the .405 will be expensive, both in dies and components. But for a real piece of nostalgia, if your wallet can handle it I'd say grab one if you can.

 

[Eric]

Bill,
I don't aquire arms often but the combo of caliber and style has taken me. Winchester is offering a limited run of their 1895 in .405 in a grade1. Don't know the ticket but I'm sure it won't be cheap. Not exactly a "throw it in the bottom of the boat" gun.

'Course I've found really nice arms are enjoyed long after the price is forgotten. Especially the older ones with true workmanship. I'd love to have one of the originals but my wife would be upset if I sold her van <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

I was surprised to see the local gun shop had the redding die for "only" &#3690. The old west scrounger has brass and loaded ammo.

I took a quick peek at cartridges of the world and it showed the .405 300 gr at 2250 fps. I guess this is an expensive way to get a .444 <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

Thanks, I'll let you know if one climbs into my cabinet.

Eric

 

[Bill Lester]

To be honest I doubt if any of the new build Winchesters are still available except at scalper's prices. That kind of stuff goes quickly.

 

[Charlie Z]

I've seen the "standard" grade 1895s listed for about &#361100 and the fancy one (with engraved moose,squirrel and "made in japan" *sigh*) at &#361500.

Waters grades the .405 "superior to the .444 and 45/70,"  :shocked:, though he's not quite convincing.  I think it just looks really good.   Looong straight case and a .416 slug.  Neat.

-Charlie

 

[TERRY MURBACH]

I SHOT AN ORIGINAL 1895 IN 405 ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO. IT WAS ONE BRUTAL ESSOOHBEE TOO. THAT CURVED BUTTPLATE ATE ME ALIVE [ I HATE THOSE DAMNED THINGS ]. THE AMMO WAS FMJ TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION.
I LOVE MY BR. 1895 30/40 KRAG. THE NEW 405'S SOUND MOST APPEALING AS THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT ACURSED CURVED BUTTPLATE.
BUT WHO HAS 405 AMMO AT A DECENT PRICE UNTIL WE'RE ALL GEARED UP TO HANDLOAD FOR IT??

 

[hfc2]

I shoot an original '95 405, now. has the shotgun style buttplate, and a 'safari style' express sight; teddy
r. would love it!! You really have to handload, but good brass is available [bertram for example] and lots of good bullets; I have dkt bonded-core,rn and ssp, hawk,elkhorn and others. probably makes it a bit better than originally; 300 gr. about 2300+/-50fps; yep that is like a 444 but you can use 'pointier' bullets; [I have an extra set of rcbs diesfrom a trade, if anybody is interested.]  I don't find the reoil much different that my various hotloaded 45/70's...good luck!

 

[Greg Storey]

Well I have always hankered after a .444, recently bought a 450 instead just to irritate the 45-70 crowd.  However I wonder if the 405 in the 1895 offers a bit more.  Though the 405 is rated to 45,000psi the big 1895 also fires the 270/30-06 so probably is very safe to bump a bit.  The case capacity of 77 grains roughly equals the 45-70 and is about 7 grains more than the 444.  The OAL of 3.18 allows bullets to be seated out of the powder space and I figure you ought to get 100-200 ft sec more than the 444 with like bullets.
The 405's .412 bullets also have a bit better sectional density than a .429 bullet of equal weight /  The big 1895 also allows pointy bullets and more down-range thump.  I think Waters was right in his write up.  My only question is do these new 1895 rifles shoot?