40/90bn

[billydixon]

Are there any 40/90bn shooters over there. I tried to ask that ? Over on the Shiloh forum with a negative effect. I wanted to know about shooting that round. I have been shooting the 50/90 and 45/90 for over 30 years. But I've always wanted to have a rifle built and start shooting that round. I'm retired now and I need another project. So I would love to hear from anyone that shoots that round. Thanks

[ken s]

Are there any 40/90bn shooters over there. I tried to ask that ? Over on the Shiloh forum with a negative effect. I wanted to know about shooting that round. I have been shooting the 50/90 and 45/90 for over 30 years. But I've always wanted to have a rifle built and start shooting that round. I'm retired now and I need another project. So I would love to hear from anyone that shoots that round. Thanks

I had an original 74 sporting rifle in 40 90 sbn. I'm having the chamber bushed in 40 70 SS. I had a lot of trouble with sticking shells.
My advice is go for one of the straight cases. In 1878, Sharps dropped the SBN cases and went to straight cases for just that reason. The went to the 40 90 SS and the 40 70 SS instead...they knew what the rifle used well...
Don't go looking for trouble.
Ken

[rdnck]

I have a friend that used to own a Shiloh in that caliber. He said that it had a lot of recoil, and he sold it. Another friend shot quite a bit of game with his, including a buffalo cow, and said that it didn't kill as well as his 45-70. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[MikeR]

I don't remember seeing your post in the Shiloh forum about the .40-90 SBN. You might try searching for .40 - 90 or read Dan T's posts, he wrote some on that caliber.
Since you are an experienced BP loader and looking for an CHALLENGE, you're looking at the right cartridge. It will definitely keep you busy trying to figure it out. On some days my .40-90 was the most accurate BPCR that I owned. Other days it was hopeless to get it to keep the velocity spreads below 200 fps. My wife did manage to place in a Creedmoor match shooting that caliber but thank God she switched to a .45-100 SS to save me aggravation. .40-90 SBN'S are also hard to sell so have enough money to pay for a new barrel.

[billydixon]

Well thanks for the info. I guess I'll stick with 45/90 and the 50/90 which I do enjoy loading and shooting. Thanks again.

[MikeR]

I don't think that you will ever find an owner of a .40-90 SBN that will say " I wish I had a couple more .40-90 SBN's, they are easy to load for". If you are thinking a .40, try a .40-70 SS. I just got one with an PP chamber and it easily holds 80 grains of powder with room for a lube wad if you wanted. I have not run it over a chronograph yet, but it's really fast. If you are looking for a BN cartridge, consider a .44-77 SBN. I have less than a hundred rounds through mine but it's obviously much much more shooter friendly than the .40-90. I'm thinking that I will be able to shoot it dirty for hunting. No blow tubing or wiping.

[Semtav]

Just because it hasn't been done doesn't mean it can't be. If I didn't have so many projects going and so little time to get the ones I have shot, I'd try one too. but I think I'd use a gain twist barrel to start the twist out slower.

[Kurt]

Mike

What is your finding that makes the .40-2-5/8 so temperamental? is it something with the cartridge or are there other factors involved, like recoil or torque that makes it hard to control? I have a .40 cal. high wall I been thinking on rechambering it for the .40-90 bn because I like the BN cases.
I have a couple .44-2-5/8 bn's that are basically the same as the .40 bn except a smaller diameter bullet and both shoot quite well. I found that this caliber is a little harder to control the torque then the .40-70 or the .45-90 but the load development was fast and with good results.

I keep reading that the .44-77 is a hard cartridge to load for because of the bottle necked case but mine shoots just about anything you want to fill the case with and a bullet with in reason. Very good shooter.

Kurt

[MikeR]

Good evening Kurt

I just got back from the range with my .40 2 1/2 SS and my .44 2 1/4 SBN. Shot 20 shots at the rams with the .40. Missed 5 out of the first 10. Changed my wiping and nailed the next ten. The wind was really blowing and my shots ran from front to back, but my vertical held.
Shot 12 shots out of the .44. First 5 on steel at 100M, just one small smear. The next 5 at paper at 100M, First three cutting, next two I pulled Stood up and shot at 200M at a 12 inch disk. Off the edge at 3:00. Moved the sight for 150M and centered the turkey. I don't like the OE as much as the KIK but this rifle will shoot dirty.

I think the problem with the .40 2 5/8" SBN has to do with the shoulder. Some times the rifle will shoot Sub MOA. I think that the powder some times jambs in at the shoulder and other times flows through the neck changing the pressure curve. I'm not kidding when I say 200 fps velocity variations. The part that can really drive me nuts is, I will get sub moa testing, then go home and reload using the same bullets, powder, dies, drop tubing, every thing exactly like the day before but instead of getting nice round groups, getting very tall groups. I was shooting at a match at a 200Y German ring target. From my testing I was expecting to shoot the 25 out. Instead I got a group 1 1/4" wide the height of the black (about 12"). The case is very sensitive to powder granulation, compression, and who knows what. When it works it is a joy to shoot, but I will pass.

[Kurt]

Mike.

The powder granulation does make a difference in the BN cases, as well as compression. I found that the larger granulation compressed just enough so it does not crush works the best for the ES that reduces the vertical in my BN .44's, something that is not as critical in my straight walled .44. 1.5 OE and 1F KIK with light compression .100 to 150" is where my best results are. I really think it has a lot to do with the uncrushed course granulation of the 1F powder that gives a faster burn and hard lumps form heavy compression blocking the bottle neck holding pressure back sort of like holding your thumb over the end of a hose and making a hotter burn that increases the velocity, increasing the vertical. The straight walled case does not block like the BN case will.
I worked with 1F to 3F in the big .44 bn the 1.5 and 1F light compression always showed the best accuracy. You will give up a little velocity but the accuracy is what counts.