http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=112&cat=002C

I'm thinking about one of these but would like it in a different caliber and with a different stock. Anyone know of a good gunsmith who works on them? Also, will a Schuetzen or other "pistol grip" style stock work with the high wall?

Check out Ballard Rifles 1885 replica. You can order one like you want it.

I have one of the Winchester 1885 Hunters in .270 WSM, and it's a superb rifle. Beautifully made and superb handling. Probably the most accurate rifle I've ever owned (1/2 inch 3-shot groups at 100 yards), plus the 28 inch barrel gives excellent ballistics.

I normally prefer a pistol grip stock, but I've found the straight stock on the 1885 to be very comfortable. I would like to have more figure in the wood, but that's my only complaint. Having said that, here are a few stock makers that offer after-market stocks for the 1885:

http://www.precisiongunstocks.com/
http://www.treebonecarving.com/

I hope this helps. :)

Email me, markkw@earthlink.net and I'll hook you up a guy who builds the absolute best highwalls.

Thanks for the information.

Red Peper,
the treebone stocks look nice. Will a pistol grip style fit the winchester highwall hunter?

KenK,
How do the ballards shoot?

I think you would have to ask Treebone if their pistol grip stocks are designed to fit the Winchesters that come with straight-grip stocks.

KenK,
How do the ballards shoot?

I would say one will shoot as well as anything of that type. My brother shoots at the big Schuetzen fest in Raton and does quite well with them.

I am not familiar with the new 1885's currently being produced, but I am familiar with original high walls and low walls and Uberti replicas and I really don't think a pistol grip stock will fit a new straight grip Winchester. The pistol grip versions have a curved lower tang. You could inlet the wood to fit a straight tang, but it would look odd - I did this on a Marlin I converted from straight to pistol until I got a curved lower trigger plate. It is possible to bend the tang to make it a pistol grip if you really want - I have seen some older guns made into pistol grips this way.

As you can see from my attached pitures of my 1885's, the grip frame would need to be changed. Bending it can be done, but it wont give you the exact shape of a factory pistol grip stock. You might want to rethink your choice of guns to start this project. Opting for one in the configuration you want will make the rest the project easier.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/1lw-hw.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/1885inlay.jpg

I just looked over my Winchester 1885 High Wall Hunter and Winchester 1885 LTD BPCR rifle. These latest High Walls have a top tang, but do not have a lower tang. Therefore, you should be able to easily fit a pistol grip stock.

any loading data for a 40-90 winchester highwall?