finally got it done!! it started life as a browning m-1885 in a hunter configuration chambered for 45-70...28 inch barrel...around 8 pounds.
next it came into being a 45-120 when some one in its past decided for some reasons to so run the chamber out for it. i came into possession of it in the 45-120 configuration as i had the funny need for a 45-120 and this popped into my screen of possibility's. having experimented with it for some time i came to understand that a 45-120 was indeed NOT the rifle i wanted in my battery...[ too many things to go into rite now ] so i decided that a 38-55 would serve me better .
i sent off for a green mountain barrel and having received it i promptly took it to my smith for remodeling and re-barreling.
got it out of the doctors office yesterday and she is a beauty
so took it out for the beginning barrel break in with some fairly fast jacketed bullets and smokeless...what a dreary process...bright thing is tho ...i shot her at three hundred yards and even tho the photo's dont show it...a paper plate at this distance was bounced with almost every shot of the 20 break in shells i built. i have 20 more to go and then the cast process starts. gonna start with black powder and lymans 330gr round nose....but more on that when i get to it...what a super shooter.
she now wears a 30 inch green mountain barrel in a Winchester # 4 taper now....with a bright blued finish with a target recessed crown... the frame / lever / but-plate are all very snazzy in color case finish.....the scope is the leather-wood that ive had laying around for about three years....better optics then i figured on...the rear mount sucks tho and im gonna purchase the screw adjustment add-on from them and try...if that dosent work then ill try the 'mva' rear mount. i also am gonna purchase the shorter extension for the front as this one is for a 34 inch barrel.
overall this is starting life again as a super shooter and cant wait to try it for groups when the barrel is settled and ironed out for good.
by the by...i saved the 45-120 barrel and extractor for off setting my costs a bit if their is a want / need in somebody's life for such a chambered barrel and extractor for the browning/Winchester model 1885 hi-wall rifle....send me a PM and ill tell all i know about this barrel.