Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Hunting Rifle Performance

My buddy bought an Italian knock off lever action 45-70 this year and killed an elk with it. Now I want to. Money is not the main issue, but I am wanting a big bore lever to hunt with. Maybe a Browning 1886 in 45-70. Not totally against a Winchester or Browning 71 in .348. I have never fired either. Looking for dependability and accuracy. Suggestions? How are the Browning replica's?

The Browning replicas are very well built.

I had a 71 rifle, plain grade, and it was still beautifully blued with an excellent wood-to-metal fit. The wood itself was nice, considering the rifle was not a fancy-grade one.

A JM Marlin, or well inspected Remlin, is also a good candidate.

I especially like the (discontinued) Winchester extra light 1886.

Like the 1895 .405 WCF?

I have three useful medium-big bore levers and like them all. Maybe the most all-round is a Winchester (replica) 1895 in 405 Winchester. 300 grain bullets with a S.D. of .250 can be driven to 2400fps. This gives a very nice balance of trajectory, penetration and expansion. If you max out at moose for big stuff the 348 Win in a 71 is hard to beat. The 450 Marlin or 45-70 are also nice loads maybe better for the biggest game but a bit slow moving for long range trajectory and expansion.

Like the 1895 .405 WCF?

I've had a Browning 1886 and 71 and both models are very accurate and dependable. Neither have the rebound hammer and additional safeties of the later Winchester repros.

The carbine stock of the 1886 is thin at the comb and the butt plate was not really comfortable, especially with heavy loads. You could swap the buttstock out for one from a Win 1886 lightweight and that would be a good improvement. The B-71 is also a good choice.

Both can be loaded to work well with iron sights. I'd say try to handle both and see which stock style suits you the best.

Get a Winchester Model 71, or the Browning replica and never look back.

You can thank me later.

I've got the Winchester 1886 extra light repro with the rebounding hammer. Nice rifle and the shotgun style butt stock is much better than on the standard 1886 rifles, a big improvement. It's 45-70 so not much to elaborate on there.

Also have two Browning 71 in 348 Win that are in carbine configuration without the rebounding hammeres and safety. I haven't actually used this much but have gotten into them recently. The 348 is an nice cartridge but it's the devil in cost and component availability compared to the 45-70. The M71 along with the smaller 64 are the Winchester leverguns that feel the best to me at the shoulder and have recently been quite taken with them.

There is an really interesting prospect in the Cimarron/Pedersoli 71 rifle. It's basically an model 71 chambered in 45-70. This is brilliant in that it provides for much less ammo fuss. I'm seriously considering one but I've read about horror stories about it on the interwebs. Will do more research on it and I hope it turns up positive.

Anyway, the m71 style of rifle is beginning to be one of my favorite leverguns.

I have the Jap Win '86 repo in 45/90..not fond of the rebounding hammer and safety but the workmanship and quality rivals my Shiloh Sharps as does the accuracy with my cast bullet loads.

I think I hit the jack pot. Just brought home a Browning 1886 45-70 rifle with the 26 inch octagon barrel and Williams peep set up. 99% condition and looks new. I don't think these were drilled for the peep originally were they? Anyway for $850 OTD I couldn't pass it up. Now for getting some ammo....

And that thing could be loaded to be quite powerful, with a 2.4" case and the action good to 50 Kpsi.

I got a recoil headache thinking about it.

Nice looking rifle, too.

Vic in Va -- Right you are about the quality and strength of the modern Miroku/Winchester 1886 in .45-90 !



Not so right about the recoil of heavy loads being painful to your shoulder. If you place the lower tip of the metal butt plate into your armpit, the recoil will just raise the barrel and turn your body a bit - after over ten years shooting mine this way from bench rest and standing, no shoulder bruises!

The heaviest loads fired and hunted with have been .450 grain Kodiak FMJ with a MV of 2150 fps for a ME of 4,618 foot pounds
(6281 joules).

Ouch!!

Just looking at that crescent plate hurts. But I'll take your word.

My .45-70 is mainly painful at the bench, and it is cumulative. One or two shots are ok, by the time you get to the 15th, you realize that the .243 needs to be shot some....

Standing and in the field shooting at game are essentially non-issues.

Finally got a break in the weather. Went out with the Browning 1886 and a box of Buffalo Bore 350 gr. and box of Buffalo Bore 405 gr. 405 gr. shot the best at 1 3/4 inch group at 55 yards (don't ask). 350 gr. was 2 1/2 inches. Very pleased with the rifle and the results. Now with back surgery and a few visits to the chiropractor, I should be normal again. MAN does that thing kick off the bench!!

I never favored those old Winchester levers like the M71 or M94 because they don't take a scope on top!

In VT where I hunted deer the most we had to take one with a minimum antler length. The scope is a big help to see behind the ear. Besides they are more fun at the range.

The 99 Savage came in .358 Win and I like that rifle with a scope.


99F 358 Win.