Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Finally!

I mention this little Browning Low Wall Hornet from time to time (okay, a lot). I've had it since 2000, but haven't ever fired it at a critter until today when I took it on a mission to make the world safe for soybeans.

40gr V-Max over 11.1gr H110 F100 Gold Medal Match SP primer. Head-on shot at about 50 yards; no exit. The same bullet out of a .223 on Saturday at about 3650 blew the bejabbers out of a chuck at 225 yards.

Great looking rifle Pappy. I had one in .223 that was a lot of fun.

The Browning 1885 rifles, both Low-Wall and High-Wall are great, well-finished rifles with stellar accuracy.

Beautiful... Years since I shot a W Va. chuck!!

Pappy, do you have any issues operating the hammer when the rifle is wearing a scope?

Is there a need for a hammer extension?

A nice looking, accurate rifle is like a pretty woman.

Nice shape and lines.

So does this mean that "you can eat right up to the hole"?

No and no.

Actually, that's a Virginia chuck, although the border's just a few miles away. Been trying to thin the rascals out for my farmer friend, but they're pretty shy. As I mentioned in another thread, I'm pretty sure one winded me on Monday at over 200 yards. At least, he disappeared right after the wind shifted and started blowing straight from me to him.

Thanks.

If you're considering one of these, I give both the High Walls and the Low Walls my highest recommendation. The smooth and solid feel of working the action has to be experienced to be properly appreciated. Don't need any more, but I still like to look. A pristine .243 or .260 LW would make an awesome Whitetail rig. The Winchester-branded ones are also excellent, no doubt, but the wood on all I've seen makes current run-of-the-mill Rugers look pretty fancy.

And one of those in .30-30 would be quite spiffy

Yes, but definitely a custom proposition.

About the same time they cranked out my Hornet, they made some Hunter models in .30WCF and .38/55, but built them using the High Wall actions, even though the Low Walls handle the .243 and .260 just fine. Got a feeling they could have sold truckloads of LW .30/30s. They did make LW Hunters in pistol calibers. Got one in .44 Mag. Been thinking a .25/35 LW would make a dandy woods walker for an old fat man.

Never seen one of the Browning HW Hunters in .30/30 or .38/55 anywhere, just the Winchester versions.

GB has a fancy azz one for sale at a fair price IMO.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...quot-octagon-barrel.cfm?gun_id=100829699

I paid $695 for mine, in 2000 A.D. dollars.

My notion of how to get my .25/35 is to rebarrel a LW Hunter. Just a pipe dream. I'll just tote my .44 and pretend.

Pappy: I have a Browning HW Hunter in 38/55. Unfired and still N.I.B I ordered one as soon as I heard about them. I got the 1st one that the local Gun store got in. Has absolutely georgeous wood. Also have a L.W. in .45 Colt...

Lucky you!

Why, pray tell, is it still unfired? For shame!

The shop where I got my Hornet ordered four. The counter guy picked his first, but I got first pick in the second round. Can't complain, especially as to how it shoots. All the Low Walls I've seen have carried good lumber; some amazing for a factory gun in that price range. My .44 is very nice too, but the matte finish (oil?) doesn't let it show to full advantage.