[DocRob]

Timberwolf, I have one of Browning's rerun of a Winchester 1886 SRC in 45-70. It weighs 7.2 pounds and I like how it balances. Like you I wanted a 45-70 lever action and I narrowed my dicision down to the 1886 carbine and Marlin's 1995. I chose the 1886 for the following reasons: It has a full length magazine and can hold twice as many rounds, I liked the slimmer forearm of the 1886, the action is long enough that I could rechamber it to 45-90 for more power and I have always prefered the cosmetic looks of Winchesters. The down side was 1886's cost almost 2X as much and alittle more is involved in putting an aperture sight on it. Oh well, this is my dream rifle and I decided the extra cost I earned. Now the fun part. I put an Ashley aperture on the receiver right behind the bolt lugs, it looks good and just seems to blend into the receiver. Because of the stout recoil from heavy reloads I found it imperative to replace the original butt stock, you know the one with that curved hard steel butt plate. My perception is only a masochist would want to shoot this rifle with that stock under full power loads. Maybe someone feels that I just need a good higher level of testosterone. Oh well, call me sissy but I actually enjoy shooting my rifle now! The load I have settled on is Beartooth's 405 gr. cast at .460 diameter behind 58gr. of H322 and CCI's 250 primer. This gives 2055 fps and a 3 shot cloverleaf, all touching, at 50 yards. At 100 yards the groups open up to 3-31/2 inches, probably more because of my eyes than the rifle. I had shot several rounds with 59gr. of H322 for over 2100 fps but accuracy started to drop off. There were no signs of high pressure with these loads IN MY GUN. After 3 rounds through the same cases my primer pockets are still tight although I did have to trim my cases back after the first loading. I have decided that there is no need for me to rechamber my rifle to 45-90 as I have all the power and then some that I could ever need or handle. With 8 rounds of these loads and the accuracy I'm getting I fear not in the wilds! I must mention that there are several bullets made for Marlin's 1995 that will not chamber as well in the 1886, Cast Performances 440 gr. is one of them. I can live with what I got, besides I just received Marshal's new 425gr. slug the other day and will start playing with it. Marshal says they will chamber in the 1886 and I have absolutely no reason to doubt him. Hey, this project has been alot of fun and I have what I always wanted and then some. Hope this helps.

 

[DocRob]

Timberwolf, I ordered the butt stock from the Great American Gunstock Company (www.gunstocks.com). I had them install a Pachymayr decelerator on it and had the length of pull increased from the factory original 13 inches to 13.5 inches. The stock was 100% inletted and about 98% finished. I believe the total cost for a select plain piece of wood was $140.00 It took me a few hours of sanding to get to where I wanted it. I also glass bedded the tang areas with some acraglas gel. I added some brown dye and some wood dust from sanding. This made the glass bedding job pretty much unnoticable. I used Casey Birchwood's Tru oil to finish it. I was extremely pleased with the stock from Great American Gunstock. I am a budding neophyte when it comes to gun smithing and stock work so most anybody else can do the same work in twice the time.