Keeping the Winchester 1886 or the Marlin 1895 in 33 WCF alive and well is becoming more of a challenge.
You can use cast lead bullets, but there are alternative Jacketed bullets.
I have a good supply of the Hornady 200 gr FPs that are now hard to come by. The Hawk Bullet Company
originally in WY-is now in NJ. Their bullets really work well in the 1886 with FP bullets at 200 grains.
One other idea that I have developed-and it works as a hunting loading: load a few 210 grain /.338 Nosler original Partition bullets; or other 200 gr .338 bullets.
These can be carefully chambered for the first shot while hunting, followed by FP Hornadys in the magazine. Pay attention-do not accidently put a sharp spitzer bullet
in the tubular magazine.
Its not really necessary to use premium bullets in the 1886 33's. Their top velocity is about 2000-2100 fps. At that velocity, the 86-95s will kill
deer and black bear up to elk very reliably. The 1886 was the precursor to the Winchester Model 71. My rapid taper 24 in barrel 1886 has a checked pistol grip and forend.
Combined with a 2/3 magazine-this becomes a Special Order Winchester with great balance. About 32 grs of 4198 produces 2000 fps
with Hornady 200 gr FP bullets in my rifle.
