Author Topic: Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no  (Read 1675 times)

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Offline tominboise

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« on: November 12, 2004, 11:03:34 AM »
Anybody have a Browning 1885 in .223 Rem?  I am thinking about buying a used one.   How do scopes mount on them, and is there too much drop in the stock to use a scope comfortably?  Also, how do they typically shoot, accuracy wise?  Are they finicky to get a good load for?
Regards,

Tom

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2004, 12:23:27 PM »
Stock is same on all the various chamberings. Works fine with scope. Only problem I have with them is there is no option to the silly rear windage adjustable base/ring system. You can buy it from Browning, Burris or Leupold but that's it.

My friend Barry in PA has one and his is super accurate just like my .243 and his .243 both are. They uniformly seem to shoot really well.


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Offline Buffalogun

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2004, 01:32:02 PM »
tominboise,

My 1885 Browning chambered to the 7mm Rem Mag is a very good shooter. Groups of one MOA or less are not a problem.


Buffalogun 8)
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Offline PeterF.

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2004, 05:20:56 AM »
I'm assuming you mean the recent LoWall.  I had one, never really used it and traded it toward something that interested me more (and, as usual, I got skunked on the trade and have been kicking myself ever since).  Anyway, nice, light little gun.  Straightforward for mounting scope; use medium or higher rings, depending on size of front bell.  Also, consider your need to provide clearance at rear ... space between top of trigger and eyepiece ... especially on adjustable-power scopes.  You'll want that space for hand cocking/decocking, so you've got to be able to get your thumb in there (and a hammer extension ... ala lever-action guns ... will NOT work.  When working the action, the hammer drops down INTO the body of the action, so there's no room for anything hanging off the sides).  Although your choice of rings is limited, as noted above, I can't understand why people compain about the cost of rings after they've just spent nearly $1000 for a gun and several hundred for the scope.  Anyway, I really only sighted mine in (less than 50 shots through it, ever), using cheap surplus .223; got it readily into 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 inches at 100 yds.  Always figured I'd be able to improve on that with better ammo, especially if I ever worked up a hand load.  Nice, light carry rifle; good looking and a pleasure to shoot.  I recommend it (and wish I had mine back).  You don't see many .223's on the market ... mostly Hornets and various Tradition Hunters.  If, by some chance, you mean a HI-Wall, (I've never seen one in the flesh or listed for sale, but I've got an old Gun Digest that lists it in .223): while I prefer the Hi-Wall action, looks-wise, that gun (at 8+ pounds) would not be as sweet as a "walking around" gun as the LoWall.  As far as convenience of scope use, I'd expect both to be about the same; and it would depend somewhat on your shooting position ... standing or off the bench; but neither has proved problemmatical for me.

Offline PeterF.

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2004, 05:25:52 AM »
Note: In message above, 5th line, I meant "HAMMER and eyepiece", not trigger.  Sorry (really got to proof more carefully before I push that button). Peter F.

Offline tominboise

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2004, 06:26:40 AM »
Thanks for all the replies.  I will let you know how my bargaining turns out.
Regards,

Tom

Offline csimmons

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2004, 06:32:36 PM »
Please let me know if this in inappropriate, but, there is currently a low wall 223 for sale at Auctionarms.com.  The rifle is mounted with an unertl type scope.  The last bid was $700.  I considered bidding, but, I already have the high wall in 270 and a low wall in 22lr and I am debating weather to continue the low wall collection or start a Ruger #1 collection.

Offline KENTDEP

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2004, 12:42:10 AM »
I have a .22 Hornet 1885 and I really like the little rifle. If I had the chance I would have to get my hands on one in .243 Winchester. I think .243 in a 1885 would make a perfect antelope gun.

The only down side on these rifles is the trigger. Real crappy and the adjustment kinda sucks too.

But knowing how the trigger was on my .22 Hornet did not stop me from buying a 1885 in .17 HMR!

My $.02,

Jay

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2004, 04:35:07 AM »
Not all of them have crappy triggers Jay. My LW243 has a really nice trigger. Breaks like glass at 3.75 pounds right out of the box. My LW Hornet which I sold was pretty close but a hair heavier. This LW243 I have generally averages 0.4" to 0.8" with most loads I've worked up for it. Shoots the Hornady Custom 58 V-Max closer to 1/4" and that's the most accurate load I've found in it. Really a super nice little rifle.

For deer it shoots the Nosler 90BT in the 1/2" to 3/4" range all the time and shoots Nosler 95PTs well under an inch.


Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline BruceP

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2004, 07:48:36 AM »
The trigger on my LW hornet breaks at just a shade over 3.5 lbs. but it has some creep to it. I would prefer no creep and around 2.5 lbs. The gun will still shoot 5 shots right at 1" at 100 yds with plain old Remington 45 hp factory loads.
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Offline KENTDEP

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2004, 10:11:47 AM »
Well it's good to hear that not all are as bad as my .22 Hornet. My 1885 .17 HMR is not that bad either. It's around 3 1/2-4 pounds I am sure. Other than the aftermarket sear engagement screw that Brownells sells for these guns is there an easier fix for these guns? Can the the trigger components be stoned?

Just curious.

Jay

P.S. I did look on GunBroker earlier today and there were a couple of .243 1885s listed on there as well as some others in other calibers. I wish I had about a grand laying around here!

Offline paul47

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2004, 02:14:08 PM »
I managed to get my hands on a 1885 Low Wall in .260 Rem.  I don't think they ever listed them in ads, but I recall it was mentioned on the web site for a while so I ordered one.

I've always had an issue with scopes on these guns. They are so classic-looking I think a scope makes 'em look dumb, and especially on the Low Wall really messes up the handling of the gun and access to the port - which requires you to use high rings, looking even dumber. They really need iron sights, but lacking that I have put one of those tiny Optima handgun red dot sights on the front weaver base. I figure it will be good enough for 200 yards anyway, with my eyes. Like that it is nothing to carry. Haven't really worked with it enough to find out if that works, but I will soon.

The only issue is that it has a fair amount of recoil! It's so light and has that hard little buttplate so it does whack you. I will probably go to 120gr starting loads just to take it easy on my shoulder. Again, should be good enough for 200 yards.

Something tells me this won't be a good gun in bear country, though.  :roll:

Offline csimmons

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Browning 1885 in .223 Rem - yes or no
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2004, 04:18:34 PM »
there is a gun smith Lee Shaver who will adjust the trigger for $30.00   You send him just the trigger and he works the magic and sends it back and promises a 1.5 to 2 pound pull.  www.egunsmith.com.  His company also makes the inserts for several globe sights that Brownells sells.  I have not had this done.  

I bought the $20 part from brownells.  It semi works.  I put it in to try without the loc-tite and it definitely lightened the trigger pull.  unfortunately, I twisted off half of the top that is fitted for a slot screwdriver.  So, it will work, but be careful.  Also, for safety it must be permanently set.  Currently, mine has adjusted itself where the hammer will not hold open for firing.  I expect to put the loc-tite on and fix this problem.