.405 Win. Load Data

Introduced by Winchester in 1904, the .405 Winchester cartridge quickly earned a reputation as a powerful and reliable big-bore round. Originally chambered in the famous Winchester Model 1895 lever-action rifle, the .405 Win. was designed during an era when American sportsmen sought a potent cartridge for hunting large and dangerous game. The cartridge reached iconic status when former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt famously referred to the .405 Winchester as his "medicine gun for lions" during his African safari in 1909, cementing its place in hunting lore. Although its initial popularity waned with the rise of bolt-action rifles and magnum cartridges, the .405 Winchester has experienced a resurgence among enthusiasts who appreciate its historic legacy and robust performance.

In terms of application, the .405 Winchester is primarily favored by reloaders and hunters seeking a hard-hitting lever-action round. Its design caters to both North American and international hunting, especially where there is a need for a cartridge capable of delivering substantial stopping power at moderate ranges. While not widely used in modern military or competitive shooting, the .405 Win. excels in thick brush and woodland settings, where shots are often taken at under 150 yards. Lever-action aficionados and collectors find the .405 Winchester especially appealing for its nostalgic value and effectiveness in suitable hunting scenarios.

When it comes to target species, the .405 Winchester is renowned for its capability on large and tough game animals. Historically, the round has been used to hunt North American species such as moose, elk, and bear due to its deep penetration and energy transfer. In Africa, the .405 Win. proved itself on bigger plains game and even lion, as documented by Roosevelt. Although more modern magnum cartridges have surpassed it in terms of ballistics and versatility, the .405 Winchester still occupies a niche among those who desire classic performance against big game at reasonable distances.

Typical bullet weights for the .405 Winchester fall in the 300 to 400 grain range, with the most common factory and component bullets hovering at 300 to 350 grains. These heavier projectiles, usually of flat-nose or round-nose configuration to suit tubular magazines, provide deep penetration and a broad wound channel. The cartridge is characterized by moderate velocities around 2,200 feet per second for a 300-grain bullet, balancing manageable recoil with formidable downrange energy. Reloaders should note the rimmed case design, which ensures reliable extraction in lever-action rifles, and the need for bullets that function safely in tubular magazines to prevent magazine detonation. Overall, the .405 Winchester remains a solid choice for those who enjoy classic cartridges, and with careful handloading, it continues to deliver reliable performance on substantial game.