1886 Winchester Information

[Skofnung]

Hey guys.

I want to find out all I can about the Model 1886 Winchester. What were it's strengths/weaknesses? Were there any parts that were prone to breakage? Was it considered to be a "good" gun?

Also, the .45-90 cartridge, in it's standard blackpowder loading, would it have sufficed on dangerous African game? Not so much elephant, but the likes of Cape Buffalo.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Preacherman]

There's this book about that model - might be worth getting if you're seriously interested.

The Owner's Manual is available in .PDF format here.

John Taffin wrote an article about the 1886, which is very interesting.

Hope these links help.

 

[Logan5]

Teddy Roosevelt had an 1886 deluxe in .45-90, and apparently he took over 100 head of north american game with it. That's a pretty good endorsement. For Africa, I couldn't say... Mine's a .40-82 WCF though, I know almost nothing about .45-90. It's fairly heavy, and stripping one down is pretty elaborate by my standards, but it was the baddest thing on the block when it came out.

 

[Jim Watson]

.45-90 Winchester is an express type cartridge, with only a 300 grain bullet standard. I don't think it would have enough penetration to be reliable on Buff. But I am not a safari hunter.

The 1886 Winchester is a John Browning design and is as solid and dependable as all of his guns. As Logan says, they are kind of complicated but that is the only thing I have heard against them. My 1906 .33 WCF is a very nice rifle.

 

[Leadbutt]

Any one made pior to the 33wcf, is black powder only proofed the 33wcf was the first and only one to use the smokeless steel, the ole 70.90 seris of 45, killed alot of the North American game, and some Plains game in Africa, but NO ITS NOT A ROUND FOR CAPE BUFF

 

[Skofnung]

Thank you kindly gents.