hobbyguymaine
01-21-2006, 06:47 PM
Besides far too many lever actions, I also have two Browning 1885s: a LoWall 22 Hornet and a 24” oct. barreled 45-70. I’d like to end up adding 2 more single shots, in 50-100/110 and a 30-40 Krag as I reload for both and must admit a certain fondness for these calibers. I’m 58 and live in Maine, will probably never hunt serious dangerous game (50-110 would do just as well for me in a SS!) and I’d always thought about a scoped 30-40 Ruger #3 as my eventual long range deer rifle (but really like exposed hammer traditional falling blocks!). I’ll probably trade off my Doug Turnbull Browning 71 50 Express and one of my Browning 95 30-40’s to mentally justify these new acquisitions.
I’m hoping to end up with a 30-40 with a pistolgrip shotgun butt, set trigger (preferably double set), 28-32” oct. brl., will likely scope it for my old eyes and deer and occasional coyote at 200-400 yd ranges on my property. Then there’s the 50 Express – I have enough Starline 50-110 brass, both jacketed and cast bullets plus dies and molds to keep me busy for quite awhile – just need a SS in that caliber, preferably in the same basic configuration as the 30-40, less the set triggers and scope, but plus a tang sight.
I’ve been checking out specs & prices and availability High Wall and Sharps copies and now have a little knowledge about what’s available … and lot’s of questions! I guess for me the ultimate choices would be either a pair of 1885s on Ballard’s 4140 blued action or from Meachum, but they’re both a little rich for my blood! More affordably C. Sharp’s 1885 High Wall or 1875 Sharps action would be a great possibility in 30-40, but there’s no 50-110 offering on the High Wall, only big 50 Sharps chambering. My other 50 possibility would be a rebore or rebarrell on my 1885 Browning, but with no tangs on the action a tang peep becomes a problem.
I called Sharps yesterday and was told they would build me a 30-40 (less the double set option) for around $1,500 on either an 1875 or High Wall. Possibly a little less expensive, how about Uberti? Looking through Taylor and Cimarron and Uberti websites I see a $140- double set option, and possibly my pistolgrip shotgun butt too, 30-40 and 45-70 (or even 348) for a 50 rebore or simple rebarrel. Guess I’ll call around this week and see if Uberti will option up a 30-40 the way I want, and explore the 50 cal. Options too.
I just sold my new Winchester 1886 Lightweight 45-70 tonight, but still have 3 more 45-70s, plus a 38-55, 405 – all levers to work over. None of this is a rush, or necessity – I just want a good scoped 30-40 in a reasonably strong action, and a 50-110 to replace my soon to be sold strong 71 Browning (450 gr @2,000+ fps). Not a fun load to shoot, but nice to have that kind of action strength and safety margin in a rifle.
Sorry for the usual loooooooong post … any thoughts or experience appreciated!
Thanks, Joe
I’m hoping to end up with a 30-40 with a pistolgrip shotgun butt, set trigger (preferably double set), 28-32” oct. brl., will likely scope it for my old eyes and deer and occasional coyote at 200-400 yd ranges on my property. Then there’s the 50 Express – I have enough Starline 50-110 brass, both jacketed and cast bullets plus dies and molds to keep me busy for quite awhile – just need a SS in that caliber, preferably in the same basic configuration as the 30-40, less the set triggers and scope, but plus a tang sight.
I’ve been checking out specs & prices and availability High Wall and Sharps copies and now have a little knowledge about what’s available … and lot’s of questions! I guess for me the ultimate choices would be either a pair of 1885s on Ballard’s 4140 blued action or from Meachum, but they’re both a little rich for my blood! More affordably C. Sharp’s 1885 High Wall or 1875 Sharps action would be a great possibility in 30-40, but there’s no 50-110 offering on the High Wall, only big 50 Sharps chambering. My other 50 possibility would be a rebore or rebarrell on my 1885 Browning, but with no tangs on the action a tang peep becomes a problem.
I called Sharps yesterday and was told they would build me a 30-40 (less the double set option) for around $1,500 on either an 1875 or High Wall. Possibly a little less expensive, how about Uberti? Looking through Taylor and Cimarron and Uberti websites I see a $140- double set option, and possibly my pistolgrip shotgun butt too, 30-40 and 45-70 (or even 348) for a 50 rebore or simple rebarrel. Guess I’ll call around this week and see if Uberti will option up a 30-40 the way I want, and explore the 50 cal. Options too.
I just sold my new Winchester 1886 Lightweight 45-70 tonight, but still have 3 more 45-70s, plus a 38-55, 405 – all levers to work over. None of this is a rush, or necessity – I just want a good scoped 30-40 in a reasonably strong action, and a 50-110 to replace my soon to be sold strong 71 Browning (450 gr @2,000+ fps). Not a fun load to shoot, but nice to have that kind of action strength and safety margin in a rifle.
Sorry for the usual loooooooong post … any thoughts or experience appreciated!
Thanks, Joe