Every thing points to modified .30-40 brass as the culprit in the failures.

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I started down the rabbit hole just after the DeRitter incident and have no fear of the 1895's design.  I was shooting one of my win-lees, oh, five or six years ago using modified 25-06 brass from Buffalo Arms.  Didn't have any problems.  My thoughts on the matter at the time was the 25-06 was designed as a rimless case and should have a substantial web in the case head and minimal brass has to be removed to get it to chamber.  Besides that I don't believe BA would put their winkies in danger by building and selling dangerous ammunition.

Also, I have not read where the Navy had reports of the Winchester Lee having catasrophic failures like the army was having with the 1903s as reported by Julian Hatcher.  Perhaps Knute can run down the Navy reports.



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