Originally Posted by
elk hunter
The 1887 is a relatively weak action. As far as I know only the Winchester model 1901, an updated 1887, was made for smokeless. And it was only made in 10 gauge. I have owned and shot two 1887's one each in 12 and 10 gauge. I shot smokeless loads, that I loaded for them, that developed no more than 6000 LUP's, which is about the pressure that Black Powder loads developed. One needs to remember that these old guns are all more than 100 years old and they haven't gotten stronger with age. The condition of the gun would need to be determined before attempting to shoot it with any type of powder.