winchester/browning model 1885
- Thread starter keith mokry
- Start date
Steve McQueen
Regular
- Location
- Southern Onterrible
Yup they are awesome! Browning in 7mm mag. It's beautiful, Light and very accurate.
Mine is an 1885 with the heavy 28" barrel in 270wsm. It's a heavy rifle, not what I would want to carry a longways, but mine shoots 1 /2moa at 200m. I also owned a lightweight 1885 in 243win, but the heavy trigger and light rifle kept me from shooting it accurately.
I recently bought a Winchester 1885 in 375 H&H from Prophet River. I haven't fired it yet, but now have all my supplies for reloading it, so I should be developing loads this winter.
The fit and finish of the rifle is fantastic. Mine has the heavy octagon barrel, and weighs about 9.5 lbs, so definitely not a sheep hunting rig, but I will use it for grizzly if I'm ever fortunate enough to get another tag.
The fit and finish of the rifle is fantastic. Mine has the heavy octagon barrel, and weighs about 9.5 lbs, so definitely not a sheep hunting rig, but I will use it for grizzly if I'm ever fortunate enough to get another tag.
I have a Browning in .270 Winchester Even with it's 26" barrel it is still shorter, and lighter, than a lot of bolt action hunting rifles.
It will print sub-MOA groups over and over again. Sometimes if the stars align it will shoot much less than MOA
It will print sub-MOA groups over and over again. Sometimes if the stars align it will shoot much less than MOA
No 1885's, but I've had a couple of their B78 predecessors; still have one in .45-70. Terrific guns, but triggers seem to be hit or miss...some great, others a bit too heavy.
Stonegoat, thanks for helping reduce Prophet's inventory of the .375 model to zero...seeing them on the website was torture!
Stonegoat, thanks for helping reduce Prophet's inventory of the .375 model to zero...seeing them on the website was torture!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Shot my first deer with an 1885 in 45-70. Great rifle. Never considered one in a more traditional chambering (ie 270, 30-06 or a short mag) but I suppose it would be just fine. To me though they seem more appropriate with a large rimmed cartridge.
What sort of application do you have in mind?
There are two versions of 1885: "High walls" and "Low walls". The High walls are heavier rifles as they are meant to use more potent cartridges (I've had them in 22-250, .270 Win, 45-70 and 7mm Rem Mag). All very accurate thank you very much. The rifles tend to be heavier but they are a super-classic hunting rifle (IMHO).
I've had Low walls in .221 Fireball, .22 Hornet and 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. Very dainty rifles and, again, extremely accurate.
My only observation/complaint about the 1885 is the exposed hammer. In my own experience, that was a drawback when using the rifles in cold weather (e.g. gloved hands - coyotes in winter), especially with a scope in the way. There's just very little room for manipulating the hammer with gloved hands.
For hunting, my preference is the Ruger No.1, due to the absence of an exposed hammer and the presence of a tang-mounted safety. That said, the .221 Fireball in the 1885 Low wall was a joy to shoot gophers with.
The one I regret selling is the low wall in 6.5 x 55. That was a sweet one.
There are two versions of 1885: "High walls" and "Low walls". The High walls are heavier rifles as they are meant to use more potent cartridges (I've had them in 22-250, .270 Win, 45-70 and 7mm Rem Mag). All very accurate thank you very much. The rifles tend to be heavier but they are a super-classic hunting rifle (IMHO).
I've had Low walls in .221 Fireball, .22 Hornet and 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. Very dainty rifles and, again, extremely accurate.
My only observation/complaint about the 1885 is the exposed hammer. In my own experience, that was a drawback when using the rifles in cold weather (e.g. gloved hands - coyotes in winter), especially with a scope in the way. There's just very little room for manipulating the hammer with gloved hands.
For hunting, my preference is the Ruger No.1, due to the absence of an exposed hammer and the presence of a tang-mounted safety. That said, the .221 Fireball in the 1885 Low wall was a joy to shoot gophers with.
The one I regret selling is the low wall in 6.5 x 55. That was a sweet one.
I was browsing and noticed that they make a trapper version in a few cals. This would make a small package for travelling around with. Low wall in 6.5x55 would be a good all round caliber for my intended use. Would be also nice if it could be a takedown version or made into a takedown version
- Location
- Lloydminster, Alberta
No 1885's, but I've had a couple of their B78 predecessors; still have one in .45-70. Terrific guns, but triggers seem to be hit or miss...some great, others a bit too heavy.
Stonegoat, thanks for helping reduce Prophet's inventory of the .375 model to zero...seeing them on the website was torture!
LOL; we have two more coming....
I have a Browning low wall in 22 hornet its easily one of my favourites I would like to rechamber one to the 6mm Remington I think that would be fantastic for Whitetail I did see Cabelas fine gun room had a low wall in 260 rem two weeks ago if anyone is interested.
Who makes bullets for 405 Winchester?
I helped out with the 1885 supply as well, grabbing a 375 h&h from clay as soon a it hit lloydminster.
Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but did mount a 6x scope on it. From a looks perspective, talley rings and base are the way to go. Looks wonderful.
The metal work is excellent, gloss bluing. The wood is too plain, my henry rifles at half the price are of better quality.
Still excited to reload for the 375 and get it rolling once I build the courage to pull the trigger and inflict pain on my shoulder.
Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but did mount a 6x scope on it. From a looks perspective, talley rings and base are the way to go. Looks wonderful.
The metal work is excellent, gloss bluing. The wood is too plain, my henry rifles at half the price are of better quality.
Still excited to reload for the 375 and get it rolling once I build the courage to pull the trigger and inflict pain on my shoulder.
Although it depends a lot on how the gun fits you, I think you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it is to shoot. Those long-barreled 1885's aren't lightweights, and they appear to have decent recoil pads. I find an 1885 or a B78 much nicer- and softer-shooting than a Ruger #1 in identical chamberings.
I recently picked up an Interarms MarkX Mauser in .375, so hopefully I can steel my resolve to resist Prophet River's next shipment....but I am so weak....
I recently picked up an Interarms MarkX Mauser in .375, so hopefully I can steel my resolve to resist Prophet River's next shipment....but I am so weak....
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- Location
- Lloydminster, Alberta
I recently picked up an Interarms MarkX Mauser in .375, so hopefully I can steel my resolve to resist Prophet River's next shipment....but I am so weak....
We have a 375HH in stock now (but not on the website yet)
Although it depends a lot on how the gun fits you, I think you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it is to shoot. Those long-barreled 1885's aren't lightweights, and they appear to have decent recoil pads. I find an 1885 or a B78 much nicer- and softer-shooting than a Ruger #1 in identical chamberings.
I recently picked up an Interarms MarkX Mauser in .375, so hopefully I can steel my resolve to resist Prophet River's next shipment....but I am so weak....
I hope you have it correct. It's a keeper rifle either way, espescially after spending nearly $2 a bullet just to reload it.
Even got my wife on board, she is glad I'm finally buying quality stuff and not multitudes of mediocrity.
- Location
- Lloydminster, Alberta
Pics up soon. If you PM me your email; can send them out now. Also, have a 22" 405 here.
