Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Model 1886 Carbine in .45-70 - Thoughts?

Dear All,

Whilst my main pursuit and passion is deer stalking here in the UK, I also find time to indulge in some range work with classic underlevers. I admit, I was seduced by "Gunsmoke" as a kid and latterly, the various offerings of Messrs. Eastwood and Costner. As as result, I probably never grew up and therefore, cannot stop myself buying new toys.

To date, I have owned a Uberti M73 in .44-40, an original M92 in .38-40, a copy in .45 LC and now have settled at an original M94 in .30WCF (Belgian Army contract model of 1912 - nickel steel barrel, metric ladder sights and side sling) and an M95 in .30-06, which is outrageously accurate. However, I feel that something is missing and recently, saw a mint Browning M86 carbine in .45-70 for reasonable money. When pushed, the dealer said that the seller could not get along with it, as it kicked like a mule. It has only fired, get this, 50 rounds since new! With full Type II loads, I can imagine it would smart a little, but surely, some modest Type I (Springfield) would not be too uncomfortable?

Any thoughts or advice, as to the collectability of this model and suitable loads would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Jacobite

If you were to use standard factory loads in the 1886, or the equivilents, you will be pushed about but not hammered.
One of my favorite loads for continued use of retired hunting brass, was 13 grains of Unique behind a 255 grain cast pistol bullet. It's like shooting a 22 rim fire plus you get a heck of a lot of shooting out of a can powder. I should note that Lyman was rather sloppy in their quality control back in the 70s, and this 255 grain bullet was supposed to be .454 and came out of the mold at .459.
I have one of the Winchester 1886 take down models, heavy as hell but that helps absorb some of the more enthusiastic loadings.
Have fun and let us know how you enjoy the rifle.
Jim

I have a Browning 1886 SRC that I bought new a few months ago. It's a beautiful rifle and extremely well made. I shoot 350 gr Buffalo Bore rounds at a MV of 2150. It does kick a bit, but with it sighted at 2.5" high at 100 yds, I should be close to zero at 200 yds, maybe a couple of inches low. Can't wait to take it hunting.

The 1886 45/70 carbine has a decent amount of recoil due to the low weight of the rifle and straight stock as compared to the 1886 octagon barrel takedown, the extra barrel weight and pistol grip stock make the difference.

That said, the 1885 carbine 45/70 is light, shoots well and the recoil tolerable.

Thanks fellas,

To be honest, I'm not recoil shy in most respects and often shoot a 250 bird day at the clay ground without a thought. But, my shotguns fit properly and therefore, translate their recoil energy effectively. That said, the M86 did fall naturally to the shoulder and seemed to follow my eyeline well.

I do agree that it is beautifully made by Miroku, I would imagine. Those boys certainly know how to screw metal and wood together; you can literally rack the action with your index finger. Hmmm...I might just have to sell my remaining kidney and buy the thing, rather than pontificate. That said, the 350gr Buffalobore round does sound like it will ruin bridgework! Sadly, we are fresh out of woolly mammoth here in Dorset...

Arkypete, I do like the plinking load with Unique. That would be ideal for the odd End of Trail competition at the club. It may be slower than a Marlin in .38, but what style!

I'll keep you posted on the progress of my acquisition.

Thanks and regards,

Jacobite

I love my 1886 SRC. I won a side match with it at the Canadian CAS championships in Camrose Alberta a couple of years back. I had to hold about 20 feet high for the 400 yard target, by holding high on the skyline. I don't crank it with my cast bullets, about 38 to 42 grains of 4895. I save blackpowder for my Pedersoli Sharps, "Gemmer-ized" by Taylor Sapergia. I now have an MVA long range sight on that one, so creative hold-overs should be history.

It seems to me that my 1886 Browning Carbine is heavier than the equivalent Marlin product. Compared to my Contender carbine, recoil is nothing terrible at all even with the steel buttplate. I love mine and fired 60 rounds playing with it the first trip to the range. The cartridge is capable, versatile and adaptable for use with BP and smokeless.

I'd like to see a photo of your Belgian Army M94. Please! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

Jacobite
The 45-70 round was cobbled up for plinking the occasional redman and maybe a Brit should the King decide on a rematch of 1812.
With this in mind I'm sorry that Dorset is experancing a shortage of Woolly Mammoths and the current lack Mastadons, in some quarters would be considered outrageous. But you do have a few members of the IRA left and an abundance, how do I say, turbanned fellows with tendancies towards sudden explosive demonstrations of apathy. The 45-70 worked rather well on our redmen and the odd bison, so may wish to try the 1886 in harvesting some of the overabundant turbanned fellows and Irishman. Since I'm Irish by descent, I'd suggest not doing head shots on the Irish. There's a limit on what a 500 grain bullet will penetrait.
The most difficult part of the whole process is finding a taxidermist who can do a creditable job on your harvest and then building a trophy room.
Jim