Just purchased an 1885 Winchester sporter in 45-70 to use primarily for hunting. I enjoy hunting with my 1886 Browning and my Sharps but they are a bit cumbersome in the deer stand and have tang/globe sights. Due to aging eyes, iron sights cost me about 15 minutes of legal hunting time in the morning and evening, more if it is overcast or I am in the woods under tree cover. The 1885 I purchased is one of a short run made with a 24 inch barrel and shotgun butt with a recoil pad. I mounted a Leupold M8 4X scope on it, which will allow me to shoot accurately during all of the legal times and still hunt with my beloved 45-70 and cast bullets. It sure is going to handier in the deer stand as the length is about the same as a bolt gun with a 20 inch barrel, also weighs a lot less than the 1886 or Sharps in addition to being much shorter. Now I have to get to the range and get it zeroed with my favorite deer load consisting of a Lyman/Gould HP over 30 grains of 5744. Hope this rifle is as accurate as my other Miroku rifles.