Win/Miroku 1886 - problems with col

[jmiller]

Got a new Win/Miroku and it shoots reloads fine using Rem 300 grain JHP and Oregon Trail 350 grain cast. However, when I load Hornady 350 grain FP using the cannalure on the bullet it won't feed into the chamber. The col is under the max col and fits in my other 45-70s. Same problem with using the Rem 405 grain bullets. Anyone else have this problem with the Win/Moruko guns? FYI, my Win High Wall is a Miroku and the same bullets chamber with no problem. What's up with the lever gun?

[Tycer]

Yep. I opened up the throat a bit.

[williamranks]

I had the same problem with mine after I bought it about 10 years ago. The throat was too short for 400 grain Lasercasts that chamber fine in the Marlin.
You can take it to a gunsmith and get it recut in a few minutes. I, however, have a problem with paying anyone to do something I can do myself.
I had a round Dremel stone about .50" diameter. I spun it against a rock with a drill until the profile matched the profile of the bullet, within a couple thousandths, with the small end towards the drive stem.
I dropped a piece of automotive vacuum hose through the barrel and slipped it over the stem of the stone at the chamber and pulled the stone up into the throat. The vacuum hose got chucked in a drill set on low speed at the muzzle end.
The hose acts as a driveline and a clutch. Dig in hard and the hose slips or twists.
It took a couple hours of grinding and checking (and coffee) until I could fully chamber the rounds without marking the bullet.
I did keep a good watch on the bullet when checking to make sure the rifling marks were even around the lead until they disappeared.
It seems to group as well or better than the Marlin.

[Blaine]

Yup....405 Remingtons were a bit too long when loaded to the "correct" COL....I seated one loosely, and measured. No problem to seat them a RCH deeper....BUT, that will jack up your pressure a bit, so watch it!!

[Tycer]

Btt

[JFE]

The Japanese Win/Brownings 1886 45/70's that i owned had virtually no throat. As others have said I doubt its your OAL.

You can have the throat opened up, shorten cases or use a Lee FCD to crimp the bullet where it clears the throat.

[jmiller]

It's going to Turnbull's on Friday and getting the throat opened up. I just can't see owning a gun that can't use all the available ammo that should fit into the gun. I can't even get Rem factory 405g to chamber. I like the gun and it's a "keeper" so I might just as well put a couple of bucks into getting it fixed. I called Winchester and they said to send it back and they'd take a look at it. Based on my experience with them in the past this could turn into a several month project and might come back the same way it went out.

[flatnose]

Hi Joe,
I set the 405 rem bullet to the correct COL. With the 405 grain rem's, that would be the step towards the nose of the bullet. I just put a light crimp just above it. With a fully loaded magazine and near max loads, the bullets stay put.

[Thunder50]

You could rent a reamer and do the throat yourself, if you are comfortable doing so. If you have some machinist experience, its an easy job. PM me if you are thinking of doing it yourself.

[John Y Cannuck]

Maybe lengthen enough to accept 45-90? Just a thought.