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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I thought I would mention this in case you have not found your browning? I have a Browning 71,it's already wearing a 450 Alaskan barrel but has a second barrel that could easily be re-bored to the 50 -110,I have three of these of this cal rifles,would sell this one if interested,thanks.
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I own and shoot an original 50 EX. 1886 and have had good experience with both 350 and 450 grain cast over IMR 4831 compressed using magnum LR primers. Mine a 1/2 Octagon, 1/2 Magazine that came my way from the collection of a boarding house in Skagway AK. It is a fun rifle, in part because of the history attached. Years back, using the dimensions of the internals of this original I had another ‘86 converted and rebored to 50 EX. I wish I stilled owned that one as well. Yes, you should find it a fun project. Bon appetite’
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Campfire Outfitter
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I too like the old cartridges. I think it would be fun to hunt a buffalo or a bison with one.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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I have a Browning 1886 that I had converted to 50-110 WCF because like you I wanted one. I have owned mine for 19 years now. I only shoot cast bullets out of it because like a 45-70, jacketed bullets offer no real advantage. My barrel is 1-20" twist. I have two Accurate Molds for it, one is 325gr., the other a 475gr., both gas checked. When I first had it built Starline was not making brass yet. That’s good to hear that you are happy with yours. I am looking for a rifle to convert. It should be a fun exercise. Are you looking for a standard, or hi-grade? Rifle or carbine?
USMC 0351
We know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
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Ahh, this brings back memories of when I was looking for an 1886 in 45-90 to best the performance of two 1886 45-70 rifles of my shooting friends. My long term objective was taking the rifle to hunt in Africa. Fortunately, logic overcame emotion and I chose this 1886 .45-90 which also shoots 45-70 just fine.. In fact, early on, I shot a lot of game with the 45-70 factory 300 grain ammo. Please take the complaints of the crescent butt plate with a grain of salt - some folks just never learned how to handle and shoot a crescent properly. Mine has never bruised or cut anyone that shot it. Of course, they were all experienced 1886 shooters. Mine has shot only a few cast 325 grain hand loaded bullets because I do not plink or shoot gongs with this rifle; it is a hunting rifle and I love the performance of the Winchester Supreme 300 grain Nosler PP bullets. Very effective on American soft skinned game AND African leopard. My .45-90 with 450 grain North Fork bullets at 2150 fps MV has taken elephant and Cape Buff with ease. Also bison and such. Imagine what a real Big Bore could do! Welcome to the 1886 cult!
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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It does help to look at a couple of original 1886 rifles to get an idea about your .50-110 cal conversion or any 1886/M-71 re-barrel/re-chamber. The Browning rifles do well for this, as I tend not to want to alter existing 1886 or pre-war M-71 rifles- other than possibly to 348 Ackley Improved.
Excepting the historical perspective, a 50 AK or 450 Alaskan is equal to a 45-90 or 50-110. Brass is actually available from Starline. If you have not reloaded before, a bit of research and work on possible details is involved. Be ready to learn by experience. Having owned and still own a 450 Alaskan and 450 Fuller, their design was necessary because of an existing need for a bear-stopping caliber in Alaska and Canada. The 1886/Model 71s were perfect because of proven reliability and fast repeat shots.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena-not the critic"-T. Roosevelt There are no atheists in fox holes or in the open doors of a para's aircraft.....
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450Fuller, Is there anything involved in converting the Browning rifles to .450 Alaskan other than a re-bore and re-chamber ?
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch . Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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While I too find the 50-110 high on the "cool" factor, for practicilty I would stay with the 45-70. Scarcity of reloading dies and materials has kept me from buying a 33WCF
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Bugger said "I think it would be fun to hunt a buffalo or a bison with one."
It was fun! My 1886 45-90 has done both and an elephant.
I used one of those African loads to shoot a running bison at 45 yards and it shot through both shoulders and kept going. The Bison did not keep going.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Mr Shelton, What is the tang sight on your 45-90?
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Byron, That is a Marbles sight. The rifle also has a Marbles folding barrel sight:
Last edited by crshelton; 03/16/22.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Byron A little more detail on the Marbles Tang Peep Sight. Wood was removed from the front of the comb so the sight can fold down and lock in place.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Ed, et alia:
When doing my 50 AK and 450 rifles, Harry McGowen and I discussed at his shop the internal modifications. This is usually NOT required on an 1886, but it is necessary on either a Winchester or Browning in 50 AK or 50-110/50EX on the M71.The reason is due to the carrier and internal geometry to make the rifle reliable in feeding. A single shot may not help you in grizzly country. An 1886 recently made may need some internal work.
Also not wise to have a barrel less than 22 inches, IMHO. Balance is critical in the heavier calibers. Cast lead bullets work for load development but I prefer my stock of Hawk 450/400 gr or Kodiaks in AK or Africa. Bears and buffalo are serious in their own territory. If pushing heavy bullets regularly, you will need an attachment bbl-to mag to stabilize the mating. H. Johnson used a modified 94 carbine band in Alaska, I think. Many ways to stabilize against recoil. There are no better rifles in the north woods for bears.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena-not the critic"-T. Roosevelt There are no atheists in fox holes or in the open doors of a para's aircraft.....
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I’m surprised that a 71 Browning will handle that long of a cartridge. Obviously an ‘86 can but… At any rate I’d be happy to see the end package and to be proved wrong.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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I’m surprised that a 71 Browning will handle that long of a cartridge. Obviously an ‘86 can but… At any rate I’d be happy to see the end package and to be proved wrong. Why surprised ? They are the same rifle excepting the upgrades to the 71 which should not change the size of cartridge it can handle.
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch . Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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The 71 has a shorter action, I believe but could be wrong.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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A guy on You Tube goes by 50-110 and had a new Winchester converted to 50-110 and loads for it. Check out his videos and he can probably share load info etc.
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The 71 has a shorter action, I believe but could be wrong. Never read that they changed the action length , just that they upgraded the internals. I don't have an '86 to measure so I also could be wrong but I see no logical reason to shorten the m71 action from the original "86 length.
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch . Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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I read an article that Winchester shortened the action when they went from 1886 to 71. The Brrowning and Winchester Jap 71’s followed the original 71 dimensions.
I could be wrong. Unfortunately I believe too much stuff I read.
Edit:
I measured my 1886 and my 71 length of the receiver. I could not see any difference.
Thanks for the correction.
Last edited by Bugger; 03/13/23.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I picked up a Browning 71 Deluxe, and sent it off to create a 50-110 conversion with Wayne York, at “Oregunsmithing” turnaround was quick, and fantastic work. I’ve cycled 50-110’s ( with short bullets) 50 Alaskan with long bullets, and 348’s still cycle thru it flawlessly. No I did not fire 348’s, just cycled them thru. It’s a 510 bore, so I hand single fed some 500LINEBAUGH and it shoots them well also. There’s just something about those big cigar sized cartridges that’s inspiring.
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTLE ONE FIRST”
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