Author Topic: Winchester 1885 action  (Read 4392 times)

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Offline marlinman93

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Re: Winchester 1885 action
« Reply #30 on: February 28, 2009, 05:42:33 PM »
 There's not much concern with an early Hi Wall action when it comes to original chamberings. You can really hotrod an old Hi Wall as they're very strong and have been chambered in all sorts of extremely high pressure calibers.
 The famous barrel maker Buhmiller back in the 1950's tried his best to blow up a Hi Wall action, and finally decided the only way he could succeed was to chamber it in .30-06, thread the end of the barrel, and insert a pipe plug before firng. Upon firing the barrel blew off the action, but the action held! He finally gave up trying.
 If you pull it apart you'll quite possibly find the caliber marked on the extractor. Many old Walls had it makrked there.
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Offline Frank46

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Re: Winchester 1885 action
« Reply #31 on: February 28, 2009, 06:11:15 PM »
Don't know if you get them. But midway's latest flyer shows 32-40 brass available. Can also get 38-55 brass too. Hope this helps. Frank

Offline filmokentucky

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Re: Winchester 1885 action
« Reply #32 on: March 01, 2009, 12:06:11 PM »
I'm still trying to find an original barrel in good condition so that I can restore the high wall. I may have to give up and just use a new barrel. Probably I'll fit a new extractor and go with .30-40 Krag if I have to use a new barrel.
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Offline Frank46

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Re: Winchester 1885 action
« Reply #33 on: March 01, 2009, 05:35:51 PM »
Try green mountain's web site. Think you could get a #3 weight winchester style barrel from them. If you decide for the 30-40 krag 1x10 twist is as fast as you'd want to go. And if I remember correctly that's the same twist used on the krag rifles and carbines. Lotta good 30 caliber molds out there, but I'd go for the lyman 311284 which was designed for the 30-40 cartridge, also 311299 and 314299 would be my best choices. Have fun, these are fine actions. Frank