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Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 3:57 pm
by glen ring
I have bought a Japanese made 1885 in 22 lr and it shoots better than I can hold.

I am looking at a Winchester 1885 traditional hunter in 38-55 for BPCR competition. Have any of you tried this rifle for BPCR?

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 4:43 pm
by BrentD
That is not a good choice. There are at least two reasons. First 3855 is an expert caliber or bpcr it is not easy to win with that calendar. Secondly the traditional Hunter is not in a configuration conducive to silhouette shooting. It truly is a hunting rifle. As I recall it lacks a Tang for a sight mount and it is also too light with too much drop in the stock. There are Japanese 1885 that makes good so what rifles but the traditional Hunter is not one of them.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 12:55 pm
by Snake
I have and have used a C. Sharp Hi-Wall in 38-55. Its a 30 in medium heavy barrel. It ain't easy. 38 rifle bullets (300 grs or more) intrude into powder space and they (all 38's) are prone to wind more so than a 45 or 40 cal. But it is death on pigs and chickens!!!

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 4:11 pm
by Taps
Glen, I know you are looking at a rifle with minimal recoil for this game, I suggest getting one in .40-65.
Dan Z loaned me one of his Hepburns in .40-65 last year for the Nationals and it sure was nice to shoot, and shot very well.
With one shoulder just recovering from surgery and the other still requiring it, the recoil was not at all heavy or causing any problems.
Later in the month, while visiting Dan at home, we went out to the OCGC range and shot a .45-70, boy did my shoulder notice the difference. Maybe you could catch up with Dan and have a few shots at the range?

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 4:38 pm
by jimkidwell
I agree with Taps............
The 40-65 will do anything the 45-70 will do at silhouette distances..........
Think twice before you chose the 38-55. FWIW.............

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 2:59 am
by BrentD
But do not even consider the traditional Hunter model of 1885. It's not appropriate in any caliber.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 4:44 am
by glen ring
I bought a Winchester 1885 , an old one, from one of our guys. It's a 38-55 and the guy I bought it off of threw in everything I need to get started. It has great sights and a green mountain barrel. I shot a 38-50 of his and the standing recoil was not a problem. Hitting two chickens in a bank of five ruined me I guess. When I buy a gun I have to see how easy it is for Jeanne to shoot. She can and will shoot a 38-55.

SO, now this is another thing marked off my bucket list.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 5:39 am
by BrentD
It could be rechambered to .38-50.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 5:41 am
by BrentD
In either the 55 or 50 configuration, you could go with paper patched for a bit more velocity.

What sights? What bullet?

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 5:47 am
by DonM
If that 38-50 has a fast twist barrel on it, it should do well. The biggest problem with the Traditional hunter is the barrel twist is to slow to reliably stabilize bullets over 255 gr.
Have fun with the bpcr silly wets.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 4:57 pm
by glen ring
Took the Plunge today. I bought a very old 1885 from one of my shooting buds. It has a green mountain barrel, pretty wood and looks like it could have been made yesterday. 38-55 so Jeanne can shoot also. It's a beautiful gun that I think weighs 12 pounds. Good sights, single set trigger..I'm very excited.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 5:46 pm
by DonM
Ooh boy, the fun starts now.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 6:34 pm
by the ex pom
My load is 50g swiss 2f, .030" poly wad pushing a 320g BACO money bullet.


Dave

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 6:50 pm
by glen ring
Thanks Dave

I'm getting everything together so I can start shooting it.

Re: Winchester 1885 in 38-55

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 7:09 pm
by BrentD
Glen, what twist rate and what length of chamber and bore diameter (there are 2 "normals" for each). Pictures!