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Author Topic: 33 winchester  (Read 848 times)

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Offline Ric

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33 winchester
« on: February 14, 2003, 12:40:59 PM »
How about some feedback on the older Winchester 1886 in 33 Winchester caliber? My recent purchase leaves me "smitten and in love" with this gun! So far, have not shot it but hope to soon. Yesterday found me casting bullets from an original Lyman 200 grain gas checked mold, borrowed from a friend who collects such molds but seldom uses them. No, its not for sale nor could I talk him out if it. At some point, buying one will be a must. Anyway the rifle has tang sight, a 2 leaf  express type sight and the older ivory hunting sight up front so, I get the best of both worlds perhaps. Original loadings were with jacketed bullets but being a cast shooter, I'll be staying with my own home-made for now. As to powder, I'm a real fan of AA-5744 in these old rifles so, even though it won't deliver top velocity, that's the choice. I figure accuracy should be had somewhere around 1600 to 1800 FPS or a little hotter pending my bullet hardness. Fortunately the mold is dropping a .340 bullet because I don't have a  seizer or punches yet, just  shoot'em as they fall from the mold I quess.
If anyone has or is using an older Winchester 33, I would very much enjoy talking with you, Thanks!

RIC       :-D
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Offline 86er

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33 winchester
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2003, 05:46:25 PM »
:D Like you, Ric, I am a fan of the 33WCF. My latest addition is an '86 lt.wt.TD made in 1935. The serial number is only a few numbers from the last gun produced. I have not fired any lead bullets through it, though. These guns have nickle steel barrels made for the use of jacketed bullets.The Hornady 200 gr FP is my favorite. There are a number of powders that produce excellent results in the 33WCF.
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I get my kicks from an 1886.

Offline Border

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33 winchester
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2003, 04:06:33 AM »
I dont know alot about the 33wcf but I have seen one in action in a wild hunting setting.I was guiding a friends dad bear hunting in 99 with my hounds.Roland,the dad,is a gun collector who specializes in old blackpowder 8 gauge type rifles.I wasnt sure of the legalities of using those for bear hunting here so he opted for one  his 33 WCF 86 Winchesters.We had a long hike into the bear.He said carrying that 86 was some comfortable.When we got to the tree we found a big bear who was in no mood to wait for us and he started out of the tree.Roland shot once as he was coming out fast and the other when he hit the ground and turned to face us.That 33WCF did an awesome job on that bear.I'm not familar with the ballistics for it but it made a great bear gun that day.How far in did we hike? It took 4 of us 7 hours to get the bear and dogs out!! Cant beat rifle like that for carrying !!!
   I dont know if we can post web site address on here or not but there is a picture of the hunter with his 86 on my site at www.borderpond.com on the 1999 pictures hes the first one with his bear and rifle.
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Offline Sky C.

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33 winchester
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2003, 12:46:04 PM »
Howdy Ric-

I haven't got a .33WCF yet - but it is on the list!

Regarding a load though - I have been shooting a .348 with Cast bullets and AA-5744.  Case capacity and bullet weights very similar to the .33WCF and I think will make you a good combination.

For my .348 with a 235gr. cast bullet-GC type I shoot 29.0 grs AA-5744 using a Rem 2 1/2 Large Pistol primer for 1800fps (24" bbl) with excellent uniformity and accuracy.  If you cut back a couple grains for the .33 to start and work up, I think you'll find you have a load.

Best regards-

Sky C.
Longmont, CO
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Offline dclark

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33 winchester
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2003, 01:59:44 PM »
The .33 is an underrated cartridge for big game hunting.  It was the first of the smokeless loads for the '86; a 200 gr. slug at 2,200 fps.  Not much by today's standards, but effective on elk, black bear and deer.  An article in Wolfe's Big Bore book by Wilfe Pyle provides several loads with modern powders will meet or exceed those velocities.  My .33 will not see the heavier loads, but still shoots reasonably well for old eyes and iron sights at 100 yards.  IMR 4064 and 4320 are the powders of choice, but I would bet that RX 12 and 15 would do as well, or better.  The most limiting factor is the single bullet weight.  Hawk will make heavier bullets, and I wish others would, but don't ask for too much for a century old cartridge.  Hornady also has some basic info for reloading, but its very conservative.  

dclark
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Offline dclark

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33 winchester
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2003, 02:23:41 PM »
I forgot.  The .33 is NOT similar to the .348.  The .33 is based on a .45-70 case and the .348 is based on a .50 case; there is .050" difference in the bases of the cases. A LOT of capacity.  Use the .33 data.  ONLY!

dclark
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