Hunting with a vintge Winchester

[9.3X62AL]

The rifle shown is a Model 1873 Winchester.......perhaps it was MADE in 1886.

[sharps4590]

Well done Whelen!!!

Louis, that's an 1873, not an 1886. Whelen's oldest '73 was made in 1886.

First wild boar I took was with an 1886 Winchester made in 1895 and chambered in 40-82. I had a cobbled together '86 in 45-70 I took a couple deer with. That rifle was a mish-mash of parts with a Hugel barrel.

If Eddie is still around, I too fish with only bamboo rods and silk line. I have some gut leaders but they are quite heavy for my fishing so I'm stuck with nylon. I haven't found a vintage silk line to restore but there is still 3 makers of good silk lines I'm aware of and a 4th coming on. Phoenix, Thebault and Terenzio are probably the 3 best. I understand the Chinese Zhu lines have gotten a lot better but I've not tried one. I do have a Thebault and a couple Terenzio lines. Nothing sings or lasts like silk and no rod protects your tippet like bamboo!!!

[slam45]

I'll use my flat side M1895 in 30/40 with 215g rnfp cast which crono 1925 out of a 24" barrel... the rifle was a wall hanger that i dragged around for close to twenty years after it was given to me by an old Oregon gold prospector... it went through a flood was rusty and not functioning... my friend Ken Brooks of PISCO, a master gunsmith and all round good guy fixed it, we put new wood on , a climbing Lyman rear peep sight with a Skinner post front... shoots good though the barrel is rough, great woods walking rifle... i shoot cast loads in several rough bores with good results, so at this point while a perfect bore is wonderful, a rough one will shoot if you find what it likes...

[missionary5155]

Good morning
How did I miss this fine thread ????
Down here our 1892 44 WCF goes out on regular "desert walks". This one was made in 1907. Oldest 1892 44WCF we used down here is a 1893 vintage. Both get the job done just like the 44 always has. We use a Saeco 443 (220fn) that makes a big difference popping through cactus to eliminate wild dogs. That is the biggest critter available down here.
Up in ILLinois have used all sorts of single shots (Marlin Ballard 38-50), lever rifles (1876 45-60, Spencer, 1881 Marlin 45-70, 1873 32-20) popping or missing yotes, ground hogs and raccoons. Then there is a pile of BP muzzle loaders the oldest that has gone hunting is a 1819 Hall caliber .54 made in 1826. 55 grains of 3F with a .54 RB makes OL' Vesuvias bark as it should. Numerous old military muskets (flint and cap) been used for deer and popping called crows.
Except for the occasional long yote shot these old rifles could have easily taken care of all my hunting needs for the last 60 years I have been out and about searching for meat.
Mike in Peru