1886
My vote goes to the 1886. If you have handled one, you can appreciate how massive it is. Compared to my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70, my Browning 1886 SRC is bigger, beefier. Those twin vertical locking lugs on the 86 are reminiscent of the lockup on a falling block.
On the 86/71 discussion, I've heard from a gunsmith that because the 86 locking lugs aren't angled, the action can cycle a bigger cartridge from the magazine.
I would trust any 1886 with modern metallurgy to be far stronger than I would ever require it to be and agree with earlier posters that said the chamber is the weakest link.
My vote goes to the 1886. If you have handled one, you can appreciate how massive it is. Compared to my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70, my Browning 1886 SRC is bigger, beefier. Those twin vertical locking lugs on the 86 are reminiscent of the lockup on a falling block.
On the 86/71 discussion, I've heard from a gunsmith that because the 86 locking lugs aren't angled, the action can cycle a bigger cartridge from the magazine.
I would trust any 1886 with modern metallurgy to be far stronger than I would ever require it to be and agree with earlier posters that said the chamber is the weakest link.
