[leadbutt]

I have an 1886 in 33 Winchester in very good condition,which I hunt with each deer season,Due to old age eyes i was thinking about a scout scope set up.Talked to Brockman{very good guys}and they advised against it,due to the collectable value of the rifle.What do the rest of you think?

 

[dclark]

1886s, regardless of caliber, are worth a lot of money is good and better condition.  I would be very reluctant to modify the rifle.  Might want to consider another to modify.

dclark

 

[alyeska338]

If it were me, I'd try something different than a scope.  I just couldn't bring myself to do that to an '86 in 33 Win.

 

[Muleskinner]

Bite you tongue!  Never, ever alter such a classic rifle, particularly with a scope.  Seriously, have you tried peeps?

 

[leadbutt]

Thanks all,athough I am a bit hard headed,I don't see any difference in doing the scout mount as compared to the peep,both are going to require drilling and tapping the gun.Do I understand that it would be more in line with the peorid of thr rifle to go with the peep? and if so any ideas on what type,or were to look for one of the old climbing lymans?

 

[dclark]

Leadbutt,

I also have a .33 in an 1886 that is not drilled and tapped for a peep sight.  It is not in "good or better" condition.  I have been thinking about a peep for it and would use the Williams Foolproof.  So far I have been unable to bring myself to drill and tap that rifle, so only shoot the open sights.  And not that well, I might add.  Again, I would be very reluctant to modify that rifle.  YMMV.

dclark

 

[mike]

I can only agree with the majority. never alter a high condition '86.Those guns were designed to be used with open sights. If your rifle is a typical well used and not abused example the choice is yours as to whatever sights works for you. I would not hesitate to d&t my hunting rifle to suit my needs. In fact, some very late series 1886 Winchesters were drilled for receiver sights like 71s. Even though all serial #s above 159,000 are assigned 1922 as manufacturing date, many were assembled years later. Scopes were definitely not an option.
              Cheers, mike

 

[Fireplug]

To preserve the collector appeal of your 1886 I would look into the tang mounted peeps: Lyman, Marble, etc.. I believe these mount with existing screws, and give the longest posible sight radius.
Fireplug

 

[alyeska338]

Actually Lead, here's exactly what you should do...
Put it in a nice padded box, put my name on the the box and send it to me.  <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->  My eyes aren't that sharp anymore either, but they sure can spot a sweet rifle.

The marbles tang might be a good option, it would definitely fit the look of the period.  A couple of folks have said that they get in the way of your grip though, so you might have to relearn how to shoot it.  Any idea when your rifle was made?  I'd hang on to it, for sure, and see if I couldn't find a different sighting system that works for you besides the scope.

 

[bulletsbob]

I once had a 33 win and I wish I had it back.
The one thing you could do is get a bolt peep sight. I think some one is making one, Probably AO, the company that makes ghost ring rear sights.
You would have to get a new bolt fitted and tapped to keep the gun returnable to original condition.
Or, you could just get a Marlin which can easily be fitted with a scout scope setup. I have 2 scouts. a Ruger 77 in 308 and a Remington 760 carbine also in 308.
The forward mounted scope works very well.

 

[leadbutt]

Sorry,alyeska338 shipping is to much to Alaska,HA!HA!.But the tang sight mite be an option,don't know year it was made.i have been told it was from the last couple of years though.Was thinking of having a Marlin 45-70 rebarreled and chambered to 33, but can't find the older model with out that D**N saftey,I am left handed,and according to Marlin there is no way to reverse it.

 

[alyeska338]

You are right about the shipping charges.  Yessir.  Blows my mind that there is a saftey on an exposed hammer rifle.  I don't get that.  I just bought a Winchester (Miroku) 1895 and it has a tang safety.  So now you have to pull the hammer then slip the saftey, just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[bulletsbob]

I know where a older 45/70 can be found in south Florida. It is an older one that does not have Microgroove rifling. If you want it, let me know in a post here.

 

[leadbutt]

Thanks bullets,but right now I have every thing on hold,am recouping from back surgery,lost another disk.