Finally, A Winchester 1885

[crash87]

You just have to like the simplicity and the lines of a good single shot. My addiction came as my 2nd big game rifle, a Ruger No.1-B in 270WCF. Since then a few more have been acquired, Currently, I just pick up another No.1, in 9.3X74R, a cast bullet shooter only. A No.3 in 375WCF has been with me for quite some time, 1981 I believe. Now a cast bullet shooter also. In fact all my S.S. have been regulated to cast status until further notice.
A number of years ago I fed my addiction for a 40 cal. a C Sharps Arms 1875 was aquired in the 40-65 WCF. While I did take a Bison with that rifle and a RCBS 350 CSA soft point cast, it just didnt fit my criteria as a serious hunting rifle. After all, it was purchased as a "target" BPCR. I just couldn't bring myself to alter it to a serious hunting rifle, and altering it would have taken it somewhere it didnt deserve to be. What's a fellow to do..............
Well, aquire another! Last year while working in Utah, I came upon a Davidsons Limitited edition 1885 Winchester chambered in the, insert drum roll here, 405 WCF. Found it in a neat little Gun/Bicycle shop, remember those? The kind of place where they sell the guns you want to buy, not the ones they want to sell you. Well long story short, it followed me home.
Visions of a ghost ring peep sight danced in my head until reality set in and I mounted a 6X burris mini on it for load development, then later a Weaver Classic Variable 1-3X, out of respect for the animals to be hunted and my aging eyes.
The master mold maker, Veral Smith was called upon to make me a mold. A 300LFN gc gr. (w/lube and gas check 317gr). Gleaning the pages of Ken Waters pet loads, a few powders and loads were tried,settling with1st, IMR 3031 & 2nd Accurate5744.
My main hunting load consists of 43.0gr /IMR 3031 for 1912FPS. Targets?? yes targets

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/53824f4ad5a9a80a2.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4144)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/53824f4ad5c48301a.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4145)
The 1st is at 50yds, the 2nd at 100yds, 5 shots each with a 6X scope. That last shot on the 100yd target pulled me out of a good group, but still good none the less, my opinion of course.
Ive heard lots of things over the years on the lack of accuracy potential for these rifles, especially Ruger No. 1's. I have not had these experiences personally. Every one I have owned, loaded for and shot has been quite accurate, and, the accuracy came rather easily with a number of different powders and bullets. I hope it continues, as I really would like to try a few more! :shock:
Thanks for reading
CRASH87

[crash87]

Here is a results of that 300gr LBT lfn gc in the afore mentioned rifle. Taken 2-18-2012 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. At David VanElsacker's Hog Wild. It was actually a hunt I planned for my 16 y.o. Son. We had, again, a very dismal deer hunting season in WI. So I told him I would take him, out of the WI DNR controlled barren whitetail wasteland, and get him something to at least get his sights on, He connected on a 4-Horn Ram, All the while planning on a little something for myself, SHH :wink: do me a favor and don't tell his Mom [smilie=l:
Crash87



http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_53824f4adac5753ee.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4146)

[smoked turkey]

It is always nice to scratch an itch for a new rifle. It sure looks and shoots like a good one. What a good way to break one in. Looks like it did a nice job on the hog. This was a nice write up. Oh yeah, I won't tell.

[captaint]

Crash - I bought myself one of the Win Miroku HiWalls a couple years ago. Mine is in 38-55 and it shoots really well. For my first loads, I put together some LBT 250 gr GC boolits with IMR 4895 and 3031. The 4895 load shot way better at 100. Really, better than I thought it would. Can't wait for the weather to improve so I can get after it again this year. Gonna have to hunt with that rifle one of these days. enjoy Mike

[NSB]

Crash,
What a great post! I too got a Win/Miruko High Wall in the last year in 45-70. I'm kind of high milage and I've had a LOT of guns in my life. I have to say that I've never owned one I liked more than this High Wall. It's a 45-70 and shoots 405 grain jacketed bullets into a ragged hole at 100 yds and I've just recently gotten it to shoot cast bullets nearly as well (405 grain also). I haven't gotten it shooting any of the "light" 300-350 grain bullets yet but I'm working on it. I've got a Pedersoli Sharps 45-70 that shoots very well also (got that a year ago) but I like the High Wall better. I'm going to sell the Sharps and get another High Wall, probably 38-55, so I can shoot the "small bore" stuff once in a while.

[rbertalotto]

To my eyes, few things on planet earth are as beautiful as an 1885 High wall

http://images110.fotki.com/v630/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2952-vi.jpg

http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2957-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v147/photos/2/36012/9654765/DSC_2954-vi.jpg

Great story!


More pictures here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/things-that-go-bang/winchester-1885-bpcr/

[crash87]

Thanks Guys, I always liked the 38-55, but pretty much scratched that itch with the 375 WCF in the Ruger No3. I started shooting cast in that a few years ago. I found, when I went through my ritual of fitting bullets to the gun, ie. Slugging the bore, making a throat slug and all the rest of the fun stuff, That the 38-55 brass would fit. I picked up a used LBT 220gr. FN pb and found that 1 lube groove was exposed at my cartridge overal length with the 375 Win brass, so I went with the 38-55 and it was covered.
So I guess, by default, I do have a 38-55. But while the No 3 is a fine rifle by itself, there is something about those High Walls. Sure do love those colors on that reciever rbertalotto, and, I am a sucker for a 1/2 oct, 1/2 round barrels. Thanks to all for sharing. :)
Crash87

[bigted]

rberttalotto...did you ever get this bpcr to shoot? i know you were having some problems with it and i was trying to follow your progress but i seem to have missed the final outcome. i also have one in 45-70 and just found the 'secret' for my rifle with the 457125 lymans.

i have a loepold 2 to 10x scope mounted on mine for load experiments.

my winchester hunter has a 6 to 18x scope mounted on it for the same reasson. i am just experimenting with paper patching rite now. fun new to me stuff.

[rbertalotto]

I became seriously involved in cowboy action shooting. This am the weather has kept me away from the 4570. But I'll be back at it very soon. My rolling block and my sharps are shooting a great. But I have not found the magic load 4 the winchester.

[209jones]

405 is a nice choice. I used the same mould for a 450/400NE on a #1, had it set up to use 416 gator checks, also use a 400gr LFN in it, haven't finished working up loads yet though. Mine came out at 322gr with wheelweights, shot them at 2041 with 5744. I would certainly prefer it was in an 1885 than a #1, however, that was what was avail at the time.

[crash87]

I used to have the No.1 tropical in the 416 Rigby, but found myself really not shooting it much prefering my CZ 550 instead, utilizing a LBT LCFN boolit. I often wondered why Ruger chambered that model in the 405 WCF and not in the Med. sporter. A much better platform in my opininion. Not to be without a No.1, I then picked up a med. sporter in 9.3X74R.
The 450/400NE is a good fit in the tropical however, and, I'm betting its got to be a heck of a good shooter with cast.
Crash87