Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) 40-65 Winchester characteristics... (Read 3697 times)
1isenough
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 202
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: Dec 28th, 2017
40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Jan 5th, 2022 at 5:39am
Print Post  
Thinking about a lined barrel for a 43 Egyptian rolling block in 40-65, because I can make brass from 45-70 and it has less recoil.  Anybody know what the pressure rating of the 40-65 is, and if it would be an acceptable cartridge for the #1 RB using 250-300 grain bullets?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
4570mike
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 460
Location: On the Peninsula
Joined: Apr 11th, 2013
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #1 - Jan 5th, 2022 at 10:05am
Print Post  
I have several 40-65's and bought the latest edition of Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook for smokeless loads.
All their loads topped out about 18K C.U.P.  The data was noted to be for modern firearms, not antiques.
This does, however, seem on a par with C.U.P. limits stated for the 45-70 in Trap Door rifles including older Rolling blocks.
I'm sure not to be the last word on this, but it would seem the beginning 40-65 smokeless loads (14K-15K C.U.P.) would be worth considering.
Mike.

  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
beltfed
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Online



Posts: 1823
Location: Central Wi
Joined: Dec 20th, 2007
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #2 - Jan 5th, 2022 at 10:50am
Print Post  
4570 Mike is right. 
This 43 Spanish original Roller of the BP era
was and is strong enough for the BP loaded 43 spanish.
The 43 Spanish has a larger base and rim diameter and can be expected to have greater back thrust than the 45-70 and the 40-65 loaded to BP pressures of +- 18,000 cup.
The BP rollers have been used extensively and safely for 45-70 rebarrels.
So, 40-65 loaded to similar "Trapdoor" level BP pressures with BP or with smokeless should be OK. As also said above, with smokeless
start with starting loads from the Lyman No 4 CBH
Oh, and Personally I would rebarrel with a modern barrel rather than liner installation since the original 43 spanish barrels are so thin. The added weight with, say a nice No 3 GM octagon or round barrel will be helpful, too. And not much difference in cost VS Lining the original.
But, if the 43 spanish roller happens to be "minty" , I would 
just shoot it with the original chambering and find another lesser condition roller and rebarrel it if you want that great 40-65 cartridge with easy to get and cheap 45-70 brass to neck down.
beltfed/arnie
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 18035
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #3 - Jan 5th, 2022 at 11:13am
Print Post  
I've got a Rolling Block I built on an original Sporting action in .40-65 Win. that I've shot for over a decade now, and it's never seen BP loads. My bullets range from 315-370 grs. usually, but also have a Lyman Snover that drops around 420 grs., and shoots extremely well. I use 4198 in my loads, which is below the 25,000 rating most experts say the old BP actions are good for. 

I also have a Ballard in the  .40-65 I shoot a lot with the same loads, and currently having my Hepburn rebarreled to .40-65 also. I think it's a really great cartridge choice for older actions, and does well with the right smokeless or BP loads.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JKR
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 152
Joined: Nov 2nd, 2021
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #4 - Jan 5th, 2022 at 5:32pm
Print Post  
I agree with Arnie regarding the cost of a liner versus re barreling. 
I recently had a liner installed and although I’m very happy with the results, the cost ended up the same as if I had re barreled.
JKR
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 18035
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #5 - Jan 5th, 2022 at 5:38pm
Print Post  
JKR wrote on Jan 5th, 2022 at 5:32pm:
I agree with Arnie regarding the cost of a liner versus re barreling. 
I recently had a liner installed and although I’m very happy with the results, the cost ended up the same as if I had re barreled.
JKR


I'd almost always prefer a new barrel, unless I wanted to retain an original barrel's markings and condition externally for collector reasons.
But most military Rolling Blocks wont have collector value, and will be much better shooting guns with a heavier new barrel. A liner on one of those old .43 barrels would be almost as large as the barrel in the front half of the barrel.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
gnoahhh
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1063
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Joined: Mar 31st, 2010
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #6 - Jan 6th, 2022 at 4:37pm
Print Post  
Pardon my ignorance of things big bore black powder, but is there any advantage to choosing a .40-65 over a .40-63/70 Ballard, given brass availability being out of the equation?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 18035
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #7 - Jan 6th, 2022 at 4:55pm
Print Post  
gnoahhh wrote on Jan 6th, 2022 at 4:37pm:
Pardon my ignorance of things big bore black powder, but is there any advantage to choosing a .40-65 over a .40-63/70 Ballard, given brass availability being out of the equation?


Almost everything will be easier to get, and more available for the .40-65 Win. vs. the .40-63/70 Ballard. Dies are cheaper, and easier to get. Brass is always cheaper and easier, and .45-70 brass is almost always available. Even the reamers to chamber the barrel are cheaper and easier to get, or rent.
I love the .40-63 Ballard, and I'm set up great with everything I need for it. But I'm having my Hepburn with a bad .40-70SS (almost identical to the Ballard .40-63/70) barreled and chambered in .40-65 right now. Mainly because of all the reasons I mentioned above. Plus I'm set up for it also, but have far more brass for .40-65 too.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
oneatatime
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4465
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: Oct 30th, 2011
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #8 - Jan 6th, 2022 at 4:55pm
Print Post  
I would think that the brass would be reason enough unless you were rebarreling a Ballard.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
1isenough
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 202
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: Dec 28th, 2017
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #9 - Jan 6th, 2022 at 10:26pm
Print Post  
Tons of good info - thanks to each of you for taking the time.  I'm pretty sure I am going with a .400/.408 bore/groove liner with a 1:14 twist. The liner has an OD of 5/8" so I will have to shorten the barrel about 3 inches, to about 30", which is OK with me (don't like the bayonet lug anyway).  The donor barrel cost me $100, and the liner will be $182 shipped.  No threading or fitting cost, just the reamer ($45) so a total of $325 which seems reasonable to me for a second barrel. Time to sharpen the 5/8" core drill and get started.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 18035
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #10 - Jan 6th, 2022 at 11:43pm
Print Post  
What the outside diameter of the barrel at the 3" shorter length? If it doesn't have a fair amount of meat left after drilling it out to 5/8" diameter hole, it could result in some fitment and quality issues. I'd want it to be around 1" so it had at least 1/8" wall after boring it out.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
feren
Participating Member
*
Offline



Posts: 18
Joined: Jan 27th, 2022
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #11 - Feb 3rd, 2022 at 8:06pm
Print Post  
which is the most favored?   the 40-65 straight wall or bottleneck?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
rgchristensen
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1188
Joined: Jan 2nd, 2014
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #12 - Feb 3rd, 2022 at 8:08pm
Print Post  
feren wrote on Feb 3rd, 2022 at 8:06pm:
which is the most favored?   the 40-65 straight wall or bottleneck?


Not a SAAMI cartridge, so there are a lot of different chambers out there.

CHRIS
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
ISS
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 570
Joined: Feb 24th, 2013
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #13 - Feb 13th, 2022 at 9:01pm
Print Post  
from what I have seen, the 40-65-400gr and the 45-70-500gr have similar flight patterns.  The 40 will have about 20% less recoil, and the brass is easy to form from 45-70.  I have owned both, and for most types of competition I would favor the .40.

Rich
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
gunlaker
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2601
Location: lower mainland, B.C.
Joined: Dec 13th, 2010
Re: 40-65 Winchester characteristics...
Reply #14 - Feb 18th, 2022 at 9:56am
Print Post  
feren wrote on Feb 3rd, 2022 at 8:06pm:
which is the most favored?   the 40-65 straight wall or bottleneck?


If I were to build a .40-65 for shooting fixed ammo, I would base the chamber on what Shiloh Sharps uses.  I have two of them and they are superbly accurate.  Brass is very easy to make from .45-70.

Chris
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint