I have a hankerin' for a Winchester 1885...

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Poper

Poper

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It's been awhile, but I used to have a Browning 1885 in .30-06. Nice rifle, beautifully finished and it shot pretty well. Oh, and did I say the 1885 is probably the sexiest single shot rifle out there?:):)

Still, after 20 or 30 rounds, it wasn't quite as fun as it looked and I was always afraid of scratching the beautiful blued steel. The shiny plastic finish Browning used back when that rifle was made seemed to be indestructible, tho.

Now suddenly I have the hots for a Winchester 1885 Low Wall in .243. And I found a NIB example for a decent price. I like the .243. and can usually make them shoot very well with handloads. :thumbup:

Will someone please talk me out of this? :scrutiny::evil::ninja::ninja:o_O
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Please?:eek::eek::what::what::what:
 
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I can not. I am dreaming of a 1885 high wall in 38-55. I'd love to have a 40-65 but am afraid it would be hard to find components.

They are pricey. The Sharps replicas even more.

Something about the 1885 though that speaks to me. Good luck on the resistance!
 
I have one in .25 WCF. I haven't shot it yet but when spring roles around it is at the top of my list. I love the old stuff and this one just screams fun.
 
eastbank said:
I have a 1885 browning low wall in .260 and realy like it, buy the .243 you will reget it if you don,t.
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You're really helping to talk me out of this. You know that I asked for help, yes?

I checked the listing again this morning and it was still available.... I'm kind of fond of orphans. This one looks and acts like an orphan.
. . . . . . I think I'm losing ground here.......:eek:
 
SG1 said:
I can not. I am dreaming of a 1885 high wall in 38-55. I'd love to have a 40-65 but am afraid it would be hard to find components.

!
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I never noticed any trouble finding components for my Browning/Miroku High Wall BPCR .40-65. Starline makes the brass and it isn't TOO much trouble to size down .45-70; I have both. Storebought bullets aren't common, but the Montana Bullet Works 400 gr Snover shot so well, I didn't look further. Not cheap, though, so if you are set up to cast or want to, it will be a saving. I don't know a source for bulk price .40s, although I have heard of people shooting .41 Magnum bullets for short range plinking.

Note that the "modern" .40-65 is used as a substitute easily made from .45-70 for .40-70 and other obsolete .40s. Barrels are fast twist for 400+ gr bullets. This is not the original .40-65-260 of the 19th century.

My little Winchester Single Shot .38-55 is a delight, but it wouldn't knock down all the 500 metre rams it hit, so I upgunned to .40.

Dan Theodore was known for experimenting with obscure BP cartridges. At the time, those Browning Low Walls were being blown out at relatively low prices so he would replace a .243 or some such smokeless barrel with BP. He went 'round and 'round with NRA over the authenticity of the .35 Maynard caliber.
 
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Oh, crap.....!
I contacted the seller last night via email and made an offer lower than his asking price with shipping included. (He'll never go for that!)

DOH! <facepalm> He replies: "Contact me to complete this transaction... " o_O

It looks like another orphan will be finding a nice warm home in my gun safe....! :p:thumbup:
At least I have all the makin's. Powder, brass, primers, bullets, dies,.... Everything! :evil:

You guys were a lot of help. You know that, right? :cuss::cuss::scrutiny::scrutiny::scrutiny:

<Just wait and see if I ever try to rescue YOU from yourself!> :rofl:
 
the browning low walls are a joy to carry and shoot very welll, my .260 is a 1-1.25" three shot group shooter with a stiff load(no pressure signs) of varget and 140 gr nosler bullet.
 
I love my Browning 1885 BPCR 45-70.
It's so easy to load for with holy black and a 500 grain slug.
 
Jim Watson said:
I never noticed any trouble finding components for my Browning/Miroku High Wall BPCR .40-65. Starline makes the brass and it isn't TOO much trouble to size down .45-70; I have both. Storebought bullets aren't common, but the Montana Bullet Works 400 gr Snover shot so well, I didn't look further. Not cheap, though, so if you are set up to cast or want to, it will be a saving. I don't know a source for bulk price .40s, although I have heard of people shooting .41 Magnum bullets for short range plinking.

Note that the "modern" .40-65 is used as a substitute easily made from .45-70 for .40-70 and other obsolete .40s. Barrels are fast twist for 400+ gr bullets. This is not the original .40-65-260 of the 19th century.

My little Winchester Single Shot .38-55 is a delight, but it wouldn't knock down all the 500 metre rams it hit, so I upgunned to .40.

Dan Theodore was known for experimenting with obscure BP cartridges. At the time, those Browning Low Walls were being blown out at relatively low prices so he would replace a .243 or some such smokeless barrel with BP. He went 'round and 'round with NRA over the authenticity of the .35 Maynard caliber.
Click to expand...

That is a name I haven't heard or read in ages, not since the old shooters forum & BP section went "tango uniform". He and a couple others chased the "small caliber" (FOR BPCRs) fast twist, long and heavy bullets for BPCS. Unlike a lot of other guys, Dan T. put his money where his mouth was; built rifles, shot matches and basically proved his theories.
 
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