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Yep. I really do shoot black powder and cast lead bullets in my '95 .405. So far it is not nearly as accurate as smokeless powder and jacketed bullets, but I couldn't resist trying black in that long, straight case. It is very near in size to the .40-70 Sharps Straight.
I did not run them through the chronograph, but I did find that 65 grains of FFg or 65 grains of Cartridge grade under a Lyman 412263 300 grain bullet shot identical groups. The first 3 shots grouped 3/4", and the 4th & 5th shots opened it to near 3" at 25 meters.
Why am I shooting black in a .405? Well, I got a lot of it on hand and I do enjoy leverguns, so......
Last edited by Shasta on Wed May 19, 2021 10:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
California Rifle & Pistol Association LIFE Member
National Rifle Association BENEFACTOR LIFE Member
Chuck 100 yd- Actual bullet alloy is unknown, but they rate a "7" on my Saeco Hardness Tester. Pure lead is "1" and linotype is "9-10". At "7" I think they are a bit hard for black powder. My rifle's bore slugs at .412, and the bullets are sized .412 with SPG lube. A softer alloy would probably "bump up" better. Maybe I'll run some this winter and see.
Hobie- A .40-72 would be way cool, but for now I gotta work with what I got! Say, why don't they make the reproduction '95's in some of those great old calibers? A .40-72 or .38-72 reproduction would get my attention!!
California Rifle & Pistol Association LIFE Member
National Rifle Association BENEFACTOR LIFE Member