Winchester 1885

[Coot]

Strongly considering purchasing the Winchester 1885 in .38-55 from Davidson's...what a beauty!

Anyone out there have one (or seen one, for that matter)?


Do they shoot half as good as they look?

 

[Calanctus]

I've got one; according to the Serial Number, the receiver was made in either 1894 or 1895. Was a gift from my Father-in-law, who restocked and rebarreled it into a benchrest-style rifle in .219 Ackley Improved Zipper. It's a beautiful piece, but haven't been able to really test it out, due to problems getting usable brass (The .219 Zippers I'd formed from 30-30 cases were splitting at the shoulder when fire-forming. Looks like I'm learning to anneal brass.). At one time, the 1885 and other single shots were very popular for benchrest and varminter competitions. The Hi-wall was one of the strongest actions of its day; Remington used Hi-walls to test new loads! I'm not sure how the new ones compare, but ask yourself one question:

How many of Browning's designs weren't amazing?

 

[mete]

I've got the new Browning 1885 45-70. The original ended production in 1935 I believe that's 50 years ! A very strong action, very accurate and was made in just about every cartridge you could think of. The original loading was 255gr @ 1500, though at one time they also made a load of 255 @ 1700. Brass is now available because of the cowboy shooting. The 38-55 has a good record for accuracy and as a deer rifle.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a 1900 vintage Winchester Single Shot in .38-55. I am using it for BPCR - Silhouette. If the Jap Winchester reproduction/reintroduction is anything close to the originals, it will be a jewel. And it well might be, there are a LOT of the Browning/Miroku "Highwall" heavy barrel BPCR .45-70s in competition. They have Badger barrels but the Browing Traditional Hunters in .38-55 and .45-70 had Miroku barrels and they seem to do very well. A friend has a Winchester/Miroku "Lowwall" .22 for the smallbore and it is very accurate.

 

[Coot]

I'm looking forward to reloading for it. Who makes the most accurate cast bullets, or do jacketed bullets tend to be more accurate/consistent?

I note this rifle comes with a Marble tang sight, in addition to the semi-buckhorn (a plus for my middle-age eyes).

Hopefully Davidson's will pull one that has some figure in the wood...for close to a grand it ought to.

Now I just have to sell a few guns I seldom shoot to pay for it...