Browning BPCR
- Thread starter 1899
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
1899 said:
I have an 1885 but not the BPCR.
The BPCR is designed to get right close to the 12 lb 2 oz weight limit with sights. Probably 12lb even out of the box. They came in 40-65 and 45-70. They're very accurate but they're very muzzle heavy and aren't practical for hunting, both due to weight and the vernier sights they come with. IF you want a blackpowder hunting rifle you'd be better off to look for with er an 1885 Traditional Hunter or a standard 1885 with the shotgun butt and recoil pad. They command about half what you'll pay for a BPCR and they're much closer to what you want for hunting.
My 1885 wears a ladder-style carbine rear sight from Buffalo Arms. I have ranges marked on it out to 200 yards. IMHO that's the way to go.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
1899 said:
Mine is the standard model and has, IIRC, a 28" tube. Still such a nice short rifle. It's my favourite rifle to wander around with. I gave $1000 for mine a few years ago, but it was like new. Not sure what the TH models go for...you don't see them for sale real often. I think there's a 125 anniversary model for sale in the Access to Firearms for around $1250, btu the paper's up in the can right now, and I'm not brave enough to go in there after it after moose spaghetti.
The traditional hunter came in 45-70, 38-55 (I believe) and 30-30. They're a nice rifle with a tang mounted aperture sight, but the crescent steel buttplate might pound you up a tad, especially with hot loads. I like the carbine-sight because it allows for adjustment for different ranges. Plus it' slow any out of the way. I plan on working up some blackpowder loads for it but right now it's a smokeless proposition. I should hammer off all the rounds I have for it so I can ease my mind about having two cast bullet loads in the house. I shoot cast bullets in my BPCR (natch) and would hate to have one of those hot ones find it's way out to the range with the old Roller.
Traditional Hunter/ .45-70
I have one of these and it comes with very fancy wood and a brutal metal crescent buttplate if you shoot prone.
Sitting and standing position are manageable with standard loads.
This rifle is extremely accurate and I have been told that the barrels were supplied by Badger.
Shooting .45 70 cast bullet is easy and not as frustrating as I have read with some other members shooting other pieces of equipment.
I solved the stock issue by getting, after some research, a shotgun type of stock that had to be inletted for the tang portion of receiver where the tang sight is resting.
The regular 1885 does not have the same tang portion.....
I also solved the long distance shooting issue as the short tang sight that comes with the TH model is good for maximum 300 yds according to the bullet weight/velocity you use.
I managed to find an original BPCR Vernier/Soule sight front and rear set with different aperture diameters and front inserts too. You got enough elevation to suit yourself (250 min.)
To complete the picture I also have a set of bases and Millet Z rings for scope mounting and longer distance shooting.
The TH is discontinued and was a good compromise for someone wanting to try traditional peep shooting with either or lead and BP without going to the full BPCR model (also discontinued).
I have one of these and it comes with very fancy wood and a brutal metal crescent buttplate if you shoot prone.
Sitting and standing position are manageable with standard loads.
This rifle is extremely accurate and I have been told that the barrels were supplied by Badger.
Shooting .45 70 cast bullet is easy and not as frustrating as I have read with some other members shooting other pieces of equipment.
I solved the stock issue by getting, after some research, a shotgun type of stock that had to be inletted for the tang portion of receiver where the tang sight is resting.
The regular 1885 does not have the same tang portion.....
I also solved the long distance shooting issue as the short tang sight that comes with the TH model is good for maximum 300 yds according to the bullet weight/velocity you use.
I managed to find an original BPCR Vernier/Soule sight front and rear set with different aperture diameters and front inserts too. You got enough elevation to suit yourself (250 min.)
To complete the picture I also have a set of bases and Millet Z rings for scope mounting and longer distance shooting.
The TH is discontinued and was a good compromise for someone wanting to try traditional peep shooting with either or lead and BP without going to the full BPCR model (also discontinued).
