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Winchester Model 1885

tractortad
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Winchester Model 1885

Post by tractortad » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:03 pm

Saw this interesting looking long-barreled Winchester with a tang sight at the LGS last week. Asked to see it, held it in my hands, cycled the action (falling block) read the barrel and found out it was a 45/70. I knew immediately that I was hooked - I just couldn't put it down and walk away. It's a limited edition Winchester model 1885 single-shot in 45/70 with a 28" barrel - I didn't even know that Winchester made a gun like this. As it turns out, this a modern version of Winchester's first rifle designed by John Browning - I guess they've been making them off and on since 1885...
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Ojaileveraction
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by Ojaileveraction » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:50 pm

Beautiful rifle!
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North Country Gal
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by North Country Gal » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:08 pm

Yeah, if it's stamped Winchester, that is a modern production 1885, made for Winchester/USRAC and, at times, Browning (same gun) by Miroku in Japan (should be stamped as such on the barrel) and the quality is superb. Check out my several posts on our several Low Wall rimfire versions, also made by Miroku, which are the same guns in the rimfire versions. With the higher wall on the receiver, yours would be referred to as a High Wall though Winchester never did use the High Wall and Low Wall terms. There have been a number of editions of these. Some even came with the tang sight.

Don't let that made in Japan thing throw you. These are considered superior to the Ruger No. 1 by virtue of their hanger bar to attach the fore arm (Ruger uses a funky angled bolt system that attaches to the barrel), fit and finish of parts, trigger, more consistent accuracy and so on. Another bonus is that ability to mount a tang sight, something you can't do with the Ruger, thanks to its non-traditional tang safety and no hammer. Most side-by-side comparisons have the Winchester coming out ahead. Having owned both, now, I totally agree. The Ruger is a great gun, but the Miroku is the better built gun and the better design.

Like the Ruger, the modern 1885 can handle as hot a 45-70 load as you are comfortable shooting. Those level three loads are brutal, though (all the more so with that crescent buttplate). Me, I'd stick with modern lever gun loads (level two) and be happy, unless, of course, you plan to hunt elephant.

My local shop has one of those on consignment for a ridiculous price and the owner absolutely refuses to budge on the price. If he ever does, well ... I really do need one of those. I'm jealous. :)

Congrats on an awesome 45-70.
2 x

tractortad
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by tractortad » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:21 pm

North Country Gal wrote:Yeah, if it's stamped Winchester, that is a modern production 1885, made for Winchester/USRAC and, at times, Browning (same gun) by Miroku in Japan (should be stamped as such on the barrel) and the quality is superb. Check out my several posts on our several Low Wall rimfire versions, also made by Miroku, which are the same guns in the rimfire versions. With the higher wall on the receiver, yours would be referred to as a High Wall though Winchester never did use the High Wall and Low Wall terms. There have been a number of editions of these. Some ten came with the tang sight.

Don't let that made in Japan thing throw you. These are considered superior to the Ruger No. 1 by virtue of their hanger bar to attach the fore arm (Ruger uses a funky angled bolt system that attaches to the barrel), fit and finish of parts, trigger, more consistent accuracy and so on. Another bonus is that ability to mount a tang sight, something you can't do with the Ruger, thanks to its non-traditional tang safety and no hammer. Most side-by-side comparisons have the Winchester coming out ahead. Having owned both, now, I totally agree. The Ruger is a great gun, but the Miroku is the better built gun and the better design.

Like the Ruger, the modern 1885 can handle as hot a 45-70 load as you are comfortable shooting. Those level three loads are brutal, though (all the more so with that crescent buttplate). Me, I'd stick with modern lever gun loads (level two) and be happy, unless, of course, you plan to hunt elephant.

My local shop has one of those on consignment for a ridiculous price and the owner absolutely refuses to budge on the price. If he ever does, well ... I really do need one of those. I'm jealous. :)

Congrats on an awesome 45-70.
Thanks, NCG - I figured you would know about this rifle. I really like big recoil 45-70 "thumper" guns, but this one with the 28" barrel and no recoil pad will probably be shooting mostly cowboy action rounds. The elephants are still safe here in the southern Shenandoah Valley...
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US Submarine Service 1976-2006
Henry H001TLP,H001TLB,H003T,H004,H006R,H006M,H012R,H012AW,H012MRCC,H010CC,H015-357,H015-44,H015-4570
Winchester 9422,1873,1885,1886,1892
Marlin 39A,AS,CL,D,M,Mountie,TDS,1897CB,Texan,1894CB,1895CBA,1895SBL
Ruger #1 44Mag

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JEBar
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by JEBar » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:30 pm

agree on all points .... specially, "Those level three loads are brutal" .... there are some mods that can be undertaken to reduce felt recoil, the most effective single thing I know of is to fire trap door or cowboy action Marlin 1895 loads .... that is certainly a nice rifle, congratulations indeed
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RanchRoper
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:58 pm

That's a beautiful rifle.
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tx gunrunner
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by tx gunrunner » Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:21 pm

Here is 1885 I rebarrel to a 40-60 Maynard using Krag brass . This was the 1st cartridge of the civil war and was used as a sniper round and still wins matches today .

Image

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I made this 400 gr bullet mold for this gun .

Image
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BigAl52
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by BigAl52 » Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:22 pm

Those are nice rifles Tad and thats a cool pic on the tractor. Some swiss 2fg a 540 grain bullet and a vegie fiber wad will have you shootin like the old days. Al
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North Country Gal
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by North Country Gal » Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:18 pm

TGR, being the confirmed single shot addict I am, I just drool every time I see some your single shot pics. I think maybe the single shot thing is catching, around, here.
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Neon Horse
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Re: Winchester Model 1885

Post by Neon Horse » Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:43 pm

A beautiful rifle! I can see why you couldn't walk away! :)
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