Win. or Browning Model 1886 45/70 feedback

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loooongshotz

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Contemplating the purchase of a Winchester/Browning 1886 and looking for some first hand feedback from owners here on their experiances, good, bad or otherwise. Specific to my research is those of you who have had the rifle out hunting and the loads used (details here please and thanks), type of sights on the rifle, maintenance issues if any and any other pertinent stuff.

Some of my background might be useful.

Moose is the preferred quarry here in BC; the big guys upward of 600 lbs. I reload and have done so for 40 years. Have used everything from .270 to .375 H&H for moose.

Appreciate the time all.
 
The only thing negative about the Browning 86 full length rifle and this would only be for some would be its weight.It can be much for those not use to carrying such a rifle a bit of a chore.The rear sight is your basic buckhorn which is liked by some /hated by some and can be improved by using a reciever sght though the Brownings have to be drilled and tapped for it but the current winchester 86s already come drilled and tapped.I have had the Browning version and now own the winchester extra light model.For a carry gun the xtra light handles real nice,has ashotgun style butt and weighs 7 1/4 pounds ,quite a bit lighter than the Browning rifle and carbine versions.The only downside to the winchester versions is the tang safety and rebounding hammer which purists hate but they aren t really all that bad .Some of the earlier winchester versions had a problem with misfiring do to the rebounding hammer, mine(a later version) doesn t have that problem.As for strength both the Browning and the newer versions can be handloaded to impressive levels but one has to remember at those levels it can hurt at both ends and I don t think super handloads are needed for moose anyway but one can do it if you like.Also the 45/70 is about a 150 yard range gun.


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Browning and Winchester 1886 45/70 rifles

Good Day
Looking at the purchase of an 1886 Browning/Winchester 45/70 and doing the research. Looking for feedback based on ownership and not, respectfully said, what you read, heard or otherwise might conjecture.

This will be my go to piece for moose so anything related to real field experiance most welcomed. Load data (specifics please and thanks), sights, handling, maintenence issues. Well.....I think you get the idea.

As to myself. I've hunted moose for 40+ years and handloaded for the same. Many moose taken with everything from .270 Win. to .375 H&H.

Appreciate the input and your time.[/I]
 
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I like the brownings better than the new winchesters, and the old winchesters go for way too much money. The browning has much nicer fit and finish, as well as bluing and wood. The new winchesters also have the redundant tang safety which I could do without.
 
I've had a couple of the Browning 1886 .45-70's at different times before. Very nice rifles. No longer have either now, though.

I currently have an original Winchester 1886 SRC [saddle ring carbine] mfg circa 1892. A relatively rare bird amongst original Win '86's. Like most SRC's it was well used but I've had it pronounced 'shootable' by a gunsmith. Just sits on the rack of my gunroom, though. I have a Marlin 1895 .45-70 for a "shooter".

I wouldn't hesitate to get another Browning, though, they did a nice job on them.

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NAA.
 
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