What do you think of the Winchester (Miroku) 1885 Trapper with a 16" barrel?

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Solomonson

Solomonson

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What do you think of this rifle in .45-70? I've always wanted a M1885 and for some reason I'm drawn to this kinda weird, short-barreled (16") model.

I would use it for plinking, for deer hunting (easy pickins' as the private ranch I hunt on has an organic vegetable garden that's like a magnet to deer) in addition to my long-time Remington M700 in 30-06 and maybe even for some black powder target shooting?

I'm not sure how much of a handicap the 16" barrel would be -- using both BP and gunpowder?

Thank you.

45-70.png
 
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I don't think the shorter barrel will handicap the 45/70 much... Lol
And it is a funny looking little brute.

Buy it. My Japanese Made 1886 carbine is very accurate
 
I've had similar thoughts about the Trapper in 30-40, but can't get past the 16" barrel.

Noise will be intense. And all the problems with the 30-40 are even more so in 45-70. With black powder, it would likely be down to 45 LC levels, or you'd be lighting fires with the amount of unburned gunpowder leaving the barrel. With smokeless, I can't see full ignition of anything but the lightest cast loads.

Sorry to be Doc Downer, but I think these Trapper models in anything other than 22lr or pistol calibers were a bad idea.
 
DocRock said:
I've had similar thoughts about the Trapper in 30-40, but can't get past the 16" barrel.

Noise will be intense. And all the problems with the 30-40 are even more so in 45-70. With black powder, it would likely be down to 45 LC levels, or you'd be lighting fires with the amount of unburned gunpowder leaving the barrel. With smokeless, I can't see full ignition of anything but the lightest cast loads.

Sorry to be Doc Downer, but I think these Trapper models in anything other than 22lr or pistol calibers were a bad idea.
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You might be right. The noise or flash wouldn't be a big deal to me -- just double up on my ears and wear my 3M X5A muffs and I would be good to go. Given that CDNN is blowing them out, I have to wonder if they are viewed as an oddball? I wonder if they are a reproduction of a model ("Trapper") that Winchester actually produced back in the day?
 
45-70 actually works quite well in short barrels if loaded with faster powders like 4198 or small charges of pistol powders. I used to load my 18” guide gun with a 350 grain cast bullet with trailboss and it was practically hearing safe and gave 1200 FPS.

As for the rifle in question I do have to point out you could have a guide gun and a Henry single shot for that price, but if it’s what you really want go for it.
 
It does look very cool. :cool:
I am guessing that one weighs about 7 pounds. I have a Henry Single Shot that weighs 6.8 pounds. Pulling the trigger on a smokeless 405 grain HSM Cowboy load has a bit of a kick. Pulling the trigger on some of the newer factory hunting ammo is quite an experience.

You only live once, right?:D
 
i have the set, 30-40 krag, 38-55, 45-70 with the same serial numbers, different prefix. I have not fired them. for game shot in close range thick brush they would be at home.
 
Moreso than any other round I can think of, 45-70s can be loaded from mild to wild. And if you stay on the "mild" end of things, I think a 16" 45-70 would be a good fit for what you're looking to do. Even a downloaded 45-70 would hit harder than a 44 Mag from a rifle and would be plenty for deer. It's not exactly a pleasant plinking round, but it'd be fine for a few shots, and a single shot big bore isn't a real high-volume proposition anyway.

The "wild" 45-70 loads, though, would get violent. I wouldn't worry so much about the loss of ballistics, 45-70 is pretty short barrel friendly, but the blast coming from hot loads is obnoxious even with an 18" Guide Gun. And the lighter rifle would really have you feeling that extra kick.

Can't comment about the BP part cause I have no experience there, but otherwise, I'd sign off on this purchase. Just keep it more cowboy and less Buffalo Bore and you'll be GTG.
 
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Needs barrel threading service. 4570 is the new hot sub Sonic game reaper when suppressed. I first saw it used on a T/C Contender super 14 4570 with 500 grain cast flatnoses 35 years ago for pigs with a home made job by a machinist who thought it was a hearing safety device :)
 
someguy2800 said:
45-70 actually works quite well in short barrels if loaded with faster powders like 4198 or small charges of pistol powders.
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That's what I was going to suggest... and given the weight of the thing, probably 300grn bullets, too.

FWIW, I don't really see the value of it... for me, anyway. If I needed a shorty .45 rifle, I'd talk my brother out of his .45 Colt Winchester Trapper with 16" barrel.

I have a Pedersoli 1885... with twice that barrel (32") :D
 
My 45-70 load of choice is 19 grains of trailboss under a 350 grain cast bullet. This is a marlin level load but trailboss is a very fast powder. Gives 1200 FPS and as I posted above it’s darn near hearing safe because everything is burned in the first few inches. My 10 year old nephew shoots it out of my guide gun with an ear to ear grin. I have let many people shoot it, men and women, and they all agree it’s great fun and not at all unpleasant. Can shoot it all day. There is no reason at all that rifle will be unpleasant to shoot unless you choose to make it so.
 
I put ruger #1 wood on my ruger #3 and the extra weight and stock lenth with the flat butt plate make it easier to shoot heavy loads. and I like the looks a little better. I may fire my 1885 carbines in the future.
 

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a 600 Remington action would be way to short for a 3006, they were make for .308 lenth cartiges.
 
Barrel length wont matter much on that gun if loaded properly. The 45-70 trajectory is already steep so just figure that part out and you'll be good to go. Since 45-70 doesn't rely on velocity to do it's job all you need to do is connect with the target and you're in business. I've wanted a ruger #1 in 45-70 for years but the price is restrictive. How much is that 1885?
 
someguy2800 said:
45-70 actually works quite well in short barrels if loaded with faster powders like 4198 or small charges of pistol powders. I used to load my 18” guide gun with a 350 grain cast bullet with trailboss and it was practically hearing safe and gave 1200 FPS.

As for the rifle in question I do have to point out you could have a guide gun and a Henry single shot for that price, but if it’s what you really want go for it.
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Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it.

Though not a bad firearm, the Henry isn't in the same ballpark as the Winchester/Miroku in terms of product quality.
 
Pat Riot said:
It does look very cool. :cool:
I am guessing that one weighs about 7 pounds. I have a Henry Single Shot that weighs 6.8 pounds. Pulling the trigger on a smokeless 405 grain HSM Cowboy load has a bit of a kick. Pulling the trigger on some of the newer factory hunting ammo is quite an experience.

You only live once, right?:D
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It weighs #6...
 
AK103K said:
It looks like a Ruger #3 I had in 45/70.

View attachment 871949


You will learn to hate that stock, especially with heavy loads.

I always found the lever to be annoying and uncomfortable too.

Still, with light loads, it was a hoot to shoot.
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LOL! I shot a Ruger #3 in 45-70 yesterday with some fairly stout loads. It wasn't terrible, but I was also wearing a well padded safari jacket... I've long coveted a #3 in that caliber, but they have become difficult to find and expensive. Maybe that's what's driving my interest in the Trapper?
 
Obturation said:
Barrel length wont matter much on that gun if loaded properly. The 45-70 trajectory is already steep so just figure that part out and you'll be good to go. Since 45-70 doesn't rely on velocity to do it's job all you need to do is connect with the target and you're in business. I've wanted a ruger #1 in 45-70 for years but the price is restrictive. How much is that 1885?
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$899... At the upper level of what I would consider.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/1885-trapper-45-70-16-5.html
 
I'm with others that the recoil is going to be excessive with all but the lightest loads due to the combination of the stock and light weight.
 
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