Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Browning 1885

Disclaimer - I know nothing about them.

At Cabela's yesterday - they had a Browning 1885 in 45-70 Gov. Seemed to be in really great shape for "used".

I don't really need it but it does seem to be fairly priced and has pretty wood.

They a decent rifle for someone who'd shoot it a fair bit or more of a "nice to look at, run mild loads tho" type of thing?

Very strong action that will tolerate .45-70 loads from mild to wild. Your shoulder will give out before the rifle, especially if it's equipped with a crescent steel buttplate.

Arguably one of the strongest actions you can stick a .45-70 into. Fear not for its strength. The crescent butt plate remark is so very true though. I think most Browning .45-70's came with shotgun butt plates, no? If not, mount the gun with the crescent plate outboard of your shoulder joint, up on top of the arm muscle with the elbow sticking straight out. That'll mitigate recoil pain with hot loads, and is how the old folks did it.

Had a B78 for a bit, with the crescent butt. Firing it off the bench was like being beat with a crowbar.

One with the shotgun butt might tempt me to forget my No More Rifles pledge. Would prefer a .38/55 though.

Shotgun butt.

Thanks. I don't really need it but it's pretty and it's also not often to see something decent in the gun vault here. They have a lot of crap so it stood out.

Easy enough to rebarrel to something more interesting (to me)?

I've got modern Winchester versions in .22 Hornet and 6.5 Swede. I think they're just cool guns all the way around. Brownings usually have nicer wood than the Winchester labeled ones.

And when comparing the Brownings to vintage Winchester 1885's I hate to admit it but the Brownings have more of a "bank vault" feel for lack of a better term. (I still prefer an original one though because I guess I'm just an old soul, and the old ones are easier to disassemble/reassemble than a Browning/Winchester Miroku. But, you would have to take my Brownings away from me at gun point nonetheless.)

Hah! It’s more than your soul that’s old😜

Doubt I’ll ever own an original, but I’m with you on the Brownings. When I get old (!), my two might be the last ones they pry from my wrinkly old fingers as they cart me off to the boneyard.

Don’t think I have a single pic of my .44. Maybe I’ll dig it out tomorrow and take some up against my “gun tree”.

The Browning 1885 most available in the secondary market is chambered in 45-70.
Most people don't enjoy the beating.

Browning 1885's, both 45-70





I don't particularly care for crescent butt plates, but the 1885's be they low wall or high wall and the B-78's that i've owned have been shooters. I shoot off a lead sled when doing load development and checking for zero. I don't recall thinking about the amount of recoil after perforating a critter.

ya!

GWB

The crescent steel buttplate is rough with heavy loads. The action is super strong, run as hot as you dare. I only have experience with one Browning 1885 .45-70, but it’s an excellent shooter.

I have a 22 hornet in the Winchester version. Agree that the Brownings usually have nicer wood, but my Win has quite nice wood, and it’s very accurate.

Yup Brownings have better wood.

That has been my experience.



Winchester in 270 WSM top, Browning in 30-06 bottom.




B-78, 300 H&H

They are one of my fav's when it comes to refreshing the wood.



once ya' get the acryllic off....





ya!

GWB

Someone must have wanted it more than I - sold. Cabela's is a 90 minute round trip for me and I wasn't in a hurry to go back. Didn't need it but it was neat and worth a though. Appreciate the replies, I'll remember for next time.

that 78 is fantastic!!!!

There’s one on gunbroker now $1,495 buy now price. Cheap looking wood in my opinion.

They are super cool actions. I’m partial to the trim lines of the low wall, but would happily own either. High wall would be sweet in a big ol’ bpcr chamber.

Year or so back I picked up a newish 1885 LW in the Cabelas library for stupid cheap money. Wood is plain Jane but for the ask it was a no brainer.


Nice wood, GW.

I have an 1885 in 30-06 and a B-78 in 25-05. They’re fine rifles that shoot well. I’m in love with the build quality. I stay away from the 45-70 b/c I’ve about ruined my shoulder shooting heavy recoiling guns but find both of mine to be easy to shoot well. I’ve thought about trading the 78 for a lighter 25-06 but can’t fine anything close to the quality and assured accuracy. If you can deal with the recoil go for it. I agree with those who recommend staying away from the curved butt and steel plate. Brutal.

Yeah, they get your attention. But the attention is magnified if used improperly: those crescent butt plates should be mounted just outboard of the shoulder joint, up high on the bicep. That's how the old timers did it. It merely requires a slight change in stance, with the arm held more horizontally.

We moderns with our comfier butt plates tend to employ the crescent ones the same way, inboard of the shoulder joint, and that'll hurt.

Try it, it works.

my Browning rifles do look good but i really don`t like the shiny finish i wish they were all satin finished ,anyone ever change a Browning to a satin finish ?

My Low Wall Hunter .44 has an oil-finished stock and IIRC the barrel blueing is isn’t real shiny. Th receiver is color case hardened.

My Hornet is pretty shiny.

I played hell stripping the glossy finish off of a B78 once in order to refinish it. Swore off doing that again. The next such task I simply rubbed it out dull and then waxed it to bring up a soft luster. Truth be told, those gaudy finishes do serve a purpose - they're nigh impervious to whatever Mother Nature can throw at them.

I have a couple of Brownings, a BLR in .358 Win. and a B78 in 30-06. I used to have one of the deluxe T-bolts as well. Has anyone but me noticed that that nice shiny finish has a tendency to crack along the grain line? All three rifles have done this.
PJ

Hmmm. Never saw that happen.

I've owned a Browning 1885 in 45.70 for about 25 years.
Well built, reliable, accurate, and looks great.

My godson took a Bison [buff] with it at age 14

I have a 1994 BRowning 1885 in 7mmRM. I shot a bunch of deer with it,.
I have a 1994 BRowning B-78 in 25-06. I made replacement forestock so I could mount a bipod.
I have a 2005 Uberti 1885 that I rebarrelled from 30-30 to 257 Roberts Ackley rimmed. I shot a bunch of deer with it.
I have an antique Win 1885 that somebody reamed out from 45-60 to 45-70

Had my .44 out today to check its zero for deer season. Tweaked it a touch. Was pleasantly surprised at the nice group I fired at the end. With his new glasses, Grandpa can still use irons pretty well.

I bought a new Winchester 1885 in 22 hornet, about a year ago. Nice wood and satin finish. And it’s pretty darn accurate.

Not have I and I’ve had several glossy Brownings. Just bought another and it’s spotless.

It would help if folks discussing this would specify which Browning 1885 they are talking about. I'm familiar with the BPCR version, that has a long tang extension, and pistol grip. Stocks have nice figure, and are not glossy. Extractor only.

Got a Browning in 45/70 with shotgun butt and a Winchester case colored low wall in 17HMR.
Both are shooters and the case colors on the low wall is wonderful. Like my #1s and #3s but won't turn down a Winchester/Browning if I can afford it!