Author Topic: Other high wall rifles.................... (Read 2711 times)

marlinman93 · « **on:** December 21, 2002, 07:50:46 AM »

I looked at a Taylor Hi Wall on a recent trip to Oklahoma. I believe it is made by Uberti for Taylor.
It was a gorgeous piece with a nice fit and finish. The case colors were pretty decent, and typical of most imports, but the wood was a very nice grade showing much grain.
The real clincher was the price, at about $600-$680, depending on options. A .45-70, with 32" octagon barrel, straight grip stock, was $612. They're drilled and tapped to accept Winchester spaced tang sights, and come with traditional buckhorn/blade sights.

First Shirt · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2002, 08:17:46 AM »

Now that might be an interesting option. At that price, you could have a quality barrel installed and still beat the price of a used Browning. Of course, even better if the factory barrel was a "shooter"...anyone have any experience with Uberti barrels as far as accuracy?

Greg

EDG · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2002, 01:40:15 PM »

I have handled 2 .45/70s and one 38/55 Uberti High Wall. The fit and finish
of the Uberti wood is superior to the Browning. The metal work is close to
the Browning but I do not care for the gold cast of the simulated case colored receiver. (I don't like the gold cast of the Browning BPCR either.)
The barrels lookd well finished, fitted and chambered. The bores looked good also. The tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight but the rifle is not drilled and tapped for a scope. Since mostly older (presbyopic bifocal wearing) guys buy these they should have drilled and tapped these rifles for a scope. The factory open sight is a stamped piece of junk but that is a small thing to me. As soon as I can save the cost of a .38/55 I am going to buy one. Maybe they will eventually sell it in .50/70 too.
Ed

EDG · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2002, 01:51:35 PM »

Oops, I forgot one thing. The Uberti HW action is different in one regard.
When opened the action only moves the hammer back to a quarter or half cocked position. I like this a lot. You can always cock it if you need to. Otherwise it is a little safer. I dislike having to lower a cocked hammer on a loaded rifle especially if it has a scope crowding my thumb. Also, as a result, the action works a little easier and smoother since it is not having to do the work of completely cocking the hammer. For competition this action may not be as well liked since it be slower to use but I preferred it from the first time I opend one.

Ed

First Shirt · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2002, 04:14:43 PM »

Ed, according to my readings of DeHaas Singleshot Rifles and Actions, that feature became common to all of the later produced Winchester singleshots with the addition of a fly to all the hammers. The fly lets the sear bypass the fullcock notch when the block is raised.

On another note, Taylor shows a beautiful low wall in .22 RF on their website.

Greg

EDG · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2002, 05:37:29 PM »

First Shirt,
Thanks for the information. I have never found a copy of DeHaas's book on single shots for sale in the last 20 years. I need to look harder I guess.
I have only handled one original High Wall. It was a .32/20 made in 1889 I think and I don't remember it having that feature. So it must have came later. Winchester High Walls are extremely rare in my are so the chance to handle them is nearly non-existent. The local farmers didn't have much cash in the late 1800's.
Ed

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2002, 02:57:24 AM »

I really like the Daniel Webster quote...it is something of a miracle, isn't it?

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2002, 06:36:29 AM »

Who dat heck is Taylor and whar they be located? Got a URL?

GB

First Shirt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2002, 12:26:18 PM »

Ed, Buffalo Arms (www.buffaloarms.com) has all the DeHaas books for sale (in their catalog, website is a little sparse). Also, you can get them from Mark Dehaas, 20049 West State Hwy. Z, Ridgeway, MO 64481. Well worth the price, IMO.

Greg

Gunny · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2002, 12:58:28 PM »

At one time the Brownings could be had for a song. I bought 2 of them from AGC sports in San Antonio last year for around $900 each. Today they are going for a premium ( I wish i had keeped those two). But the Brownings can be a pain in the butt, while they are great shooters taking one apart is for me a all day deal. What makes the Browning such a good BPCR is the barrel. they come with a match quality Badger Barrel and most of them shoot right out of the box. Bit never sell the Uberti's short these are pretty good entry level rifles and at a great price. I have seen new in the box Uberti's in 38-55 all the way thru 45-90's for as little as $725. One of the guy's I shoot silhouette with has been shooting his for 2 years with no problems at all. He also is competitive and wins his share of matches. The only problem with the Uberti, if it is a problem, is they only come with a straight grip stock. I personally don't find this to be a handicap. If any of you guy's are looking for a GOOD BPCR rifle take a look at least at these.

Good Luck Gunny

Gunny · « **Reply #10 on:** December 26, 2002, 04:03:32 AM »

The Browning is a completely different design from any other Highwall. The stuff on the Uberti will not help. The Uberti ia also not a true copy of the Winchester, there are subtle differences. But taking a Uberti apart is a no brainer as compared to the Browning. It (the Uberti) does come apart very similiar to a original. But you know why not just get an original and have it built for you. The low-walls, original, can still be had for around $600, while they are not suited for cartridges bigger than 38-55 or so, they are great shooters and fine rifles. Original Highwalls are a little bit higher, the last one I bought was a shooter with a fair bore. I paid $625 for it and rebarreled it with a Badger Barrel and restocked it with some of the most beatiful wood you ever saw. What with wood, barrel and smithing charges i have in that original Winchester highwall about $1450 and that aint bad for a real a Winchester. Good Luck Gunny

bfoster · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2002, 06:16:58 PM »

Amen Gunny,

I'm another man that prefers working with an original High Wall. I've been down the Browning route. There are a number of things that I really don't like about the Browning, particularly the trigger group. Browning triggers simply can't compare to the original Winchester factory triggers, let alone either the factory single or double set triggers. And a lucky man may come up with a Pope, Schoyen, or other trigger made by a master 'smith. To really "fix" a Browning trigger so that it is excellent, I've found that the simplest path is to start over.

Badger does make top shelf barrels, as do others.

Yes, with a case hardened original you really should exercise some discretion regarding pressure, both peak and average, but on the whole, I find the original Winchesters to be much more rifle for the money invested.

And this says nothing about the pure pleasure of shooting a hundred year old arm.

Bob

Coydog C. · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2003, 12:26:46 PM »

Guys,

If you're looking for an "exact" copy of an early flatspring HW, you might want to give the folks at Ballard a look. I took delivery on one in September 2002 and liked it so much I ordered another one in OCT.

Great folks to deal with and they build a really nice rifle.

http://www.ballardrifles.com/ART/cover.jpg

http://www.ballardrifles.com/

Chuck

Coydog C. · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2003, 01:59:12 PM »

Marsh,

Cool factory huh? I stopped out there on my way to last years "Q". Spent about 2 hrs in the Cody museum, and about 1 1/2 hrs at Ballard. Buddy and I got the grand tour and I got to check out the wood they were for my HW We also spent about 40 minutes BSing with SPG.

I really enjoyed myself! :grin:

Chuck