Feedback on Winchester 1885 remake

[Herb in Pa]

I'm going to look at a newer production (2005 I think) Winchester 1885 in .223 Remington.......any pros/cons???

[ammohead]

I'm going to look at a newer production (2005 I think) Winchester 1885 in .223 Remington.......any pros/cons???

Herb,

An interesting combination. Not the caliber I would envision for a 1885. But the ammo can be found cheap, and it is easy to shoot.

Usually 223 brings an AR or varmint rig to mind. A 1885 with a scope just doesn't seem right. To each their own.

Now if it were in 22 Hornet, 25-20, 25-35, 32-40 that would scratch an itch. But that's just me.

ammohead

[Herb in Pa]

I've got an extra Unertl that I would use on this one.

[badgeredd]

Herb,

An interesting combination. Not the caliber I would envision for a 1885. But the ammo can be found cheap, and it is easy to shoot.

Usually 223 brings an AR or varmint rig to mind. A 1885 with a scope just doesn't seem right. To each their own.
Now if it were in 22 Hornet, 25-20, 25-35, 32-40 that would scratch an itch. But that's just me.

ammohead

Man...you hurt my feelin's.

Here's a pic of my 1886 made Lowall that I picked up many years ago after haggling with a shop own for a year. It was basically junk with a lot of pits and rust and a sewer pipe barrel. Now it is chambered for 218 Mashburn Bee...




Edd

[Doc Highwall]

Herb in Pa, are you looking at a highwall or a lowwall. I have the Browning's in .223Rem and .260Rem on a lowwall action and Just got moulds for both of them. I also have the highwalls in a bunch of calibers here is a picture of my 30-30Win. with a Redding 3200 24X scope that I am thinking of putting one of my Unertl scopes on.

[Herb in Pa]

Herb in Pa, are you looking at a highwall or a lowwall. I have the Browning's in .223Rem and .260Rem on a lowwall action and Just got moulds for both of them. I also have the highwalls in a bunch of calibers here is a picture of my 30-30Win. with a Redding 3200 24X scope that I am thinking of putting one of my Unertl scopes on.

My buddy just mentioned that he was thinking of selling it, I haven't seen it for some time, but it does have an octagon barrel if that means anything. Edit...I just called him and it's labeled as a Highwall Hunter with a 28" barrel....any idea on it's worth as well?

[scb]

Don't like the triggers. At least the one that was on the Browning BPCR I had. Unless they've changed the mechanism I find it hard to believe they've improved. My $.02

[doubs43]

Don't like the triggers. At least the one that was on the Browning BPCR I had. Unless they've changed the mechanism I find it hard to believe they've improved. My $.02

My 2009 Winchester High Wall (38-55) has an adjustable trigger. I've set it at it's lowest setting and it's a decent trigger IMO. However, I've heard others complain about the triggers on their Brownings. I suppose it's possible that Browning heard the complaints and have improved the triggers?

[scb]

My 2009 Winchester High Wall (38-55) has an adjustable trigger. I've set it at it's lowest setting and it's a decent trigger IMO. However, I've heard others complain about the triggers on their Brownings. I suppose it's possible that Browning heard the complaints and have improved the triggers?

That's good to hear. The one I had was in no real way adjustable. There was some non-sense about removing the stock bolt and dropping a pin down the hole or something like that, but that's not adjustable. Other than the trigger, I liked the rifle. It didn't have the "charm" of an original, but everything else was reasonably well done

[doubs43]

That's good to hear. The one I had was in no real way adjustable. There was some non-sense about removing the stock bolt and dropping a pin down the hole or something like that, but that's not adjustable. Other than the trigger, I liked the rifle. It didn't have the "charm" of an original, but everything else was reasonably well done

The adjustment screw on my 1885 Winchester is easily accessed with a screwdriver without removing anything. Manufacturers seem to have FINALLY gotten away from the "lawyer proof" triggers. All I can say is: "About time!!"

[calaloo]

I may be all wrong about this but here goes.

It may be that a screw can be placed in one of the tang sight mounting holes and adjusted to bear against the sear and limit engagement. I don't have one of these rifles but it seems that I have read about this. I believe some of them don't have tangs which would be a problem. This fix may be attributed to a fellow named McGee. I'm probably all wet.

[209jones]

I bought an 1885 in 22-250 about 1990 or so, converted it to 32-40 in '92, it worked really well for me as a 22-250, even better as a 32-40. I then bought one of what I believe, was maybe the last year's run of highwall .223 in '93, it's accounted for a fair nbr of yotees & a pile of gophers. The hammer can be lightened,the springs can be beefed up, and the trigger can be cleaned up. I'd like to acquire another one and turn it into a .338.
For the 32-40, I use a Nikon 6.5-20x50mm and the .223 has a 3.5-10x50 leupold w/dot reticle on it. Shot cast lyman 55gr with gaschecks out of the 22-250 & the 223, both would hold 3/4" @ 100yds with the factory barrels.

[texasmac]

Hey guys,

There are several ways to improve on the Browning/Winchester 1885 high wall triggers. It's all in my book including the McGee modification (screw in the stock bolt hole) and other techniques. www.texas-mac.com.

By the way, the adjustable trigger has been on all the Browning and now Winchester 1885's made by Miroku since Browning introduced the receiver. The adjustment only has a limited range and on some rifles the screw is hard to adjust due to junk in the threads. If your's does not work properly it's easy to remove the trigger & trigger spring and then remove the adjustment screw to clean the threads and oil. Although the 1st part of my book is dedicated to the BPCR models, there is a large chapter on disassembly and assembly of the Miroku 1885 action, common to all the modern Browning & Winchester 1885 actions .

Wayne

[Bullshop]

Wayne
How can I get your book?
FYI
I got a flyer from Davidsons that shows the hunter model in 405 Win for $750.00
That is the model with the tapered octigon barrel with both barrel sights and Marbles tang sight. Unfortunately they also use the steel cresent butt.
Good price though. Since single shots dont sell well here I wont get any. And since I already have a B-78 converted to 405 I cant rightly say I need one.
BIC/BS

[texasmac]

Bullshop,

Just go to my web site: www.texas-mac.com & click on the ordering page.

By the way, the book only covers the Miroku 1885 action. Although the Browning B78 action is close, there are some differences. Plus, I've never pulled apart a B78. Thanks.

Wayne

[bdoyle]

I found a 223 high wall a few years back. My only complaint is that I don't get enough time to shoot it. Trigger didn't seem to bad, shot under an inch @100 yards with jacketed ammo. I later found the scope was a bit loose so I can't say if it gets better or worse. A bit more modern than my bcpr or c sharp highwalls but (I felt) better than a No 1. (at least without the No1's issues - not to get off on a tangent but the No1 can be fussy)
I have a few 223s and felt is would be a nice addition and more in line with the cast boolit tradition. Just something I like about single shots...

Brian

[John Taylor]

McGowen is making high walls now, take a look see. http://www.americangunllc.com/catalog1.htm

[Bullshop]

Funny it says at the McGowen site that it will only be chambered in origonal black powder cartridges like the 405 Win and 444 Marlin.
Makes them look kinda silly dont it?
Wayne
I did a triger job on a B-78 back in the day. Its been a long time. What I remember is that there were several small detent springs with plungers that all had to be compressed with the breech block assembly and incerted into the receiver at the same time. It was something of a juggling act. I do remember saying I would never do it again.
I contacted Browning and they said "do not take it appart". I have never been good at taking advice.
BIC/BS