Opinions on 1885 Highwall

[Jim Watson]

I can confirm that you are entirely wrong.

Any currently manufactured reproduction Highwall (or other quality repro of a 19th century single shot) is plenty strong for standard smokeless loads of the caliber chambered. The Italian imports are proof tested for the currently manufactured smokeless ammo. That is 28,000 psi for .45-70, which will get you a 400 grain bullet to 1800 fps. If you want more, the Uberti is made in .30-40 Krag and .405 Winchester, as is C Sharps plus .444 Marlin.

My Browning BPCR .40-65 says "black powder loads only" not because the action is weak but because there is no SAAMI pressure standard for the caliber and their lawyers were not willing to take on the liability of letting you pick for yourself. Since it is the same gun throughout as the .45-70 you can see that it would take any sensible load just fine.

 

[oaksalad]

I have a Uberti 1885 Highwall,the deluxe sporting version.It is awesome.
Not only is it beautiful it shoots very well.I went with the highwall because
I had lusted after a Sharps for years until I actually got to handle one and
boy it just didn't fit.I handled the highwall and fell in love.Their big,heavy and pleasing to the eye.Just love 'em.

 

[SwedeSteve]

Hi All-
I have a 1885 in 405 Win. I put a Malcolm 6X on it and love it !!

 

[Maverick223]

I can confirm that you are entirely wrong.

...great glad to hear a confirmation. Unfortunately I believe that I have changed my mind and now favor the CZ 550 in .458 Lott. I like big guns

 

[doctorxring]

.

1885's are pretty much "the" classic single shot American action.
Very strong, accurate, and most have decent triggers. They
are of excellent build quality.

I have a few of them. These are a couple of my favorites --





Winchester "Trapper" Carbine in 30/40 Krag










Browning Traditional Hunter in 30/30 Winchester

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Doctorxring - or anyone else with experiance with teh 1885, which gun do you like better and why? The browning or the Winchester? I'm sure they both have their pro and cons, but which one has a better trigger, action, accuracy, sights, feel?

I understand in advance, that your reply is just opinion, but since you have 1 of each and I have never even seen one up close, I'd appreciate your opinion.

They just seam like a great piece to me. Kind of like a model 94 in the fit and balance arena ,but in single shot. Nice.

 

[no.5enfield]

I have a B78 6mm, beautiful rifle.

 

[Jim Watson]

1885, which gun do you like better and why? The browning or the Winchester?

The recent (past ten+ years) guns are the same, both made by Miroku in Japan. Just that FN owns Winchester and is able to use the trademark the guns were sold under instead of the designer's name as they used to.

 

[tx gun runner]

I have been think of selling this . I is know as a 40-60 maynard , 40-70 sharps or 40 krag . will come with 400 gr custom bullet mold , RCBS loading dies and brass . Douglas barrel and double set trigger $1000 shipped less scope . NO FFL needed $1700 with 12x scope .

 

[Drygulch]

maruko 1885 browning

I have the Tradition Browning in 45-70. It will shoot anything accuratly. The 305 Win softpoint is a real screamer when properly loaded. My favorite is a Lyman 405 cast with w/w. Once dialed in, twenty inch plates at 200 to even out to 400 yards is possible. The visual to sound delay is impressive and something to experiance. This rifle accepts nitro powder, 5744,2400,4759,
4895,and even faster powders like Uniique and Trailboss. There is lots of data out there for loads. I wouldn't mind having one in 40-65,which is easy to form from 45-70 brass. I have an original W. 1886 which is limited to 245 grainers.

Good Luck,
Rod

 

[Drygulch]

405 Winchester

Hey Swede,

Read you on many threads ans thought you were interesting. I never shot that 405, heard it was a real thumper and was wondering if it could be downloaded to maybe 40-65 recoil levels? That crecent butplate on the 1885 Browning does bite especially B/R shooting. I had it scoped once and it was futule due to the variances in in trajectory. It was quicker and more traditional to use the marble tang site

Rod

 

[Jim Watson]

I never shot that 405, heard it was a real thumper and was wondering if it could be downloaded to maybe 40-65 recoil levels?

Sure. Some of the BPCR shooters are trimming .405 brass a little for use as .40-70 Sharps Straight and there is now a trend to just using it full length with lead bullets and black powder which makes it a .40-72.
So just downloading a straight .405 would give you about the same results.
Lyman has smokeless loads for .40-65 and .40-70 that will work.