.33 WCF for hunting?

Doug

Doug

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A couple years ago when Bruce Lamb (H4831) was still living, I bought a Winchester 1886 from him, along with quite a story of the rifle's provenance. I bought the rifle because I wanted to try out the .33 WCF cartridge. But I did find that components were somewhat scarce..... Over time, I accumulated enough bullets and brass to last for decades of shooting the old gal.

Whilst searching for components, I corresponded with a couple fellows who were then currently hunting with a .33 WCF. One fellow had shot a moose in Newfoundland, at a very respectable distance, seems to me 200 yards plus, with open iron sights.

I wonder if other folks on here do hunt with, or have hunted with, rifles chambered for this cartridge?

Doug
 
Used a .33 Winchester for awhile in the past.Was never able to bag any game with it,but it grouped well on paper with iron sites.
 
I've had a few .33s over the years but just one left now. Most of my Winchester hunting has been with a .32 Special or a .45-70 but the .33 works great on any reasonable animal with a well placed round. The old Hornady 200 grainer is a good bullet for deer and black bear but I would like to get a good cast bullet for practice and to save my Hornadys. I'm also fascinated with the good reports I've read of guys using 210 grain Partitions with the tip filed on the .33. That would be my choice if hunting game larger than deer with a .33.

For me, the .33 is my favourite round in an '86 Winchester (including the .348 in a '71). It is a slick round in a fantastic rifle. Brass is easily made, recoil is moderate, and the lighter weight 86 profile is a pleasure to hunt with. If you are lucky enough to have one, shoot it and take it hunting.
 
QueensHorseman said:
I've had a few .33s over the years but just one left now. Most of my Winchester hunting has been with a .32 Special or a .45-70 but the .33 works great on any reasonable animal with a well placed round. The old Hornady 200 grainer is a good bullet for deer and black bear but I would like to get a good cast bullet for practice and to save my Hornadys. I'm also fascinated with the good reports I've read of guys using 210 grain Partitions with the tip filed on the .33. That would be my choice if hunting game larger than deer with a .33.

For me, the .33 is my favourite round in an '86 Winchester (including the .348 in a '71). It is a slick round in a fantastic rifle. Brass is easily made, recoil is moderate, and the lighter weight 86 profile is a pleasure to hunt with. If you are lucky enough to have one, shoot it and take it hunting.
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Thanks!

I have a very good supply of bullets including the 200 grain Hornady FP and some new Hawk bullets, and Jamison brass. I am in good shape for components. It is the hunting aspect that intrigues me.

Doug
 
Doug said:
... It is the hunting aspect that intrigues me.
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Is there a particular concern you have about hunting with it?

As long as your bullet construction and terminal ballistics are reasonable for the animal and distance, I don't see any issue.
 
alpining said:
Is there a particular concern you have about hunting with it?

As long as your bullet construction and terminal ballistics are reasonable for the animal and distance, I don't see any issue.
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Thanks for that.

I have taken over a hundred deer, and 40 to 50 of them with a bow. I am not concerned in the least that a .33 WCF can kill a deer (or bear, or moose) humanely. I am INTERESTED to hear of folks who have hunted with this interesting cartridge.

Doug
 
My old man had an employee that carried a 86' in .33 for all the years they hunted together, shot both Elk & moose with. He eventually quit hunting but had no one to give the rifle too when he quit ( he had a son but he showed no interest in any gun sport at all) so the guy was going to hand the rifle down to me...then his daughter married a first class pick ., dude said he wanted to do some hunting so he got the rifle. To my knowledge he never hunted a day and sold the gun to a doper friend of his, pumped the daughter, and then dropped her long before the birth.
 
fingers284 said:
My old man had an employee that carried a 86' in .33 for all the years they hunted together, shot both Elk & moose with. He eventually quit hunting but had no one to give the rifle too when he quit ( he had a son but he showed no interest in any gun sport at all) so the guy was going to hand the rifle down to me...then his daughter married a first class pick ., dude said he wanted to do some hunting so he got the rifle. To my knowledge he never hunted a day and sold the gun to a doper friend of his, pumped the daughter, and then dropped her long before the birth.
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Thats rough. I hate it when extended family get involved with guns and the just sells them off.
 
Doug said:
Thanks for that.

I have taken over a hundred deer, and 40 to 50 of them with a bow. I am not concerned in the least that a .33 WCF can kill a deer (or bear, or moose) humanely. I am INTERESTED to hear of folks who have hunted with this interesting cartridge.

Doug
Click to expand...

Looks like I misunderstood your post Doug, sorry about that.
 
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