Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Reloading components for 33WCF

I finally had time to shoot my recently acquired 1886 in 33 WCF. I definitely need different sights, so a tang sight and front sight are on the way from MVA. Several boxes of ammo (Remington Kleanbore) came with the rifle. I read that they had quit producing this ammo in 1940, but all three cartridges worked. I looked at buying loaded ammo from Hendershots as Buffalo Arms was out, but decided that I would prefer to reload. I purchased a box of Hornady 200 FTX bullets. I found cases at Quality Cartridge (I called on Saturday to see if they were still in business and the owner answered the phone and took my order). While a number of companies make dies, not many have them in stock and most retailers are also out of stock. I emailed RCBS and they promptly replied and suggested that Gunstop Reloading should have the dies. After looking at their website and not seeing the dies, I emailed and they indeed have them (not the best website) and they have been ordered. I have powders and primers so I will soon have all the components to load for my 116 year old 1886. I also found a couple of Handloader magazine articles that have load suggestions. Should be fun. I hope use it to hunt deer on our property this year.

I hate tang sights. They are located right where my hand needs to be.
Boring a hole in the tang will decrease the value.

Good luck in your 33 WCF efforts with the 1886.
Both IMR and H-4198 are good powders. One of the most accurate is H-4831 or H-4831 SC. (Same- short cut)
There is a good sight-the Lyman 21, but rare. It afixes to left side of receiver.
Try Hawk 200 gr Bullets. They really work in the 33WCF/1886.
Most hunting with the 1886 can be done with the standard sporting rear sight.
My big game including deer and moose with the 348 and 33 WCF have been
taken with shots under 100 yards or close.

It is a still/stalk hunters rifle for those who know how-even today.

Buffalo Arms....

Bugger:

The 1886 has two screws in the tang from the factory and those are used (with longer screws) with the tang sight.

WSrayer:

Unfortunately, Buffalo arms was out of stock on 33 WCF dies, loaded ammo and brass.

Quality Cartridge in Maryland has good 33 WCF brass. Anneal the necks if you use re-formed 45-70
brass. Put in a WTB ad in the Fire classifieds. You never know.
Also keep in mind that you can chamber a spitzer or standard 200-210 gr bullet
like the Nosler 210 gr partition bullet in the chamber only-first shot
while hunting. Its an old method that works well. DO NOT put it into the
magazine with the rest of your cartridges. Keep it separate.
The 210 gr Nosler will kill any elk -moose-or deer that walks.

Quality Cartridge in Maryland has good 33 WCF brass. Anneal the necks if you use re-formed 45-70
brass. Put in a WTB ad in the Fire classifieds. You never know.
Also keep in mind that you can chamber a spitzer or standard 200-210 gr bullet
like the Nosler 210 gr partition bullet in the chamber only-first shot
while hunting. Its an old method that works well. DO NOT put it into the
magazine with the rest of your cartridges. Keep it separate.
The 210 gr Nosler will kill any elk -moose-or deer that walks.
Try RCBS or Huntington Die Specialties for 33 WCF dies.

C-H Tool & Die in Wisconsin also makes a set. The
45-70 shell holder fits the 33 WCF.

If I had a 33 Win I'd chuck Nosler 210 grain bullets in a small lathe and take off the forward 10 grains making a nice big Flat Nose. They'd open up well and hang together as well. The 33 so loaded would be good from deer to moose and bear.

Buffalo arms has the correct 200 flat point in stock. A little pricey.




The Buffalo bore bullets work.

nice

Tang sights still suck. They are located right where the shooters hand should be.

They evidently suck for you but they certainly don't for a lot of folks, me included. Several of my rifles are so equipped and I don't have any difficulty.

I had good luck with IMR-3031 in the cartridge and my Hornady book has data. It's from either the late 70's or early 80's but I don't remember what edition it is. Good rifle and killer cartridge.

I still have 2 full boxes of Hornady FP bullets-200 gr.
Also some 200 gr Hawk bullets
The Hawk bullet is perfect for hunting.