Hank45 wrote on Jun 5
th, 2015 at 6:44am:
When did Winchester start using smokeless powder in their 1885 rifles? The reason I ask is that I own a low wall manufactured in 1898 and I was curious about using some light smokeless loads Thanks for your answer, Hank45
Jack's question is a good one.
In the Apr 1894 catalog, for the
hiwall rifle, WRA introduced the .30 U.S. ARMY cartridge using Smokelss Powder 40grs, Steel Jacketed Bullet 220grs.
In the Aug 1895 catalog, WRA introduced the smokeless 22 Short loading, the smokelss 32 WCF (32-20) loading, the smokeless 38 WCF (38-40) loading, and a sprinkling of other smokeless loadings.
Additional smokeless loadings for other cartridges showed up at various times in later catalogs.
In 1898, WRA issued two different catalogs (Mar and Oct), both of which show the lowwall carbine chambered in 44 WCF (44-40). Both catalogs show a smokeless 44 WCF loading as well.
Both catalogs also contain the statement by WRA which says:
"Reloading Smokelss Powder Cartridges Impracticable."
Don't do it Hank, just don't do it!