Author Topic: Best highwall repro? (Read 1864 times)

DropBlock · « **on:** March 10, 2005, 12:41:52 PM »

What is the best quality and most accurate of the current repro. 1885s? I am leaning toward Ballard as I have inspected them at the factory and looked at the C.Sharps but have fired neither. Who has some hands on range experience? Thanks.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2005, 03:05:24 PM »

The two you mentioned are both way up on top, but also the Meacham High Wall is right with them, and possibly a bit higher. Take a look!
http://www.meachamrifles.com/

DropBlock · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2005, 03:30:36 AM »

MarlinMan93:
I hadn't mentioned Meacham because I had never held one in person. I notice their base price is considerably higher than the others. I'd like to know what actual experiences exist out there. As we know, looks are only skin deep. Meacham looks like they have a more traditional appearing case color. I have an original that I am trying to avoid shooting. I really want to but realize it probably isn't a good idea. I'd like find quality that reasonably approaches the originals in fit, finish, and accuracy. Of course, the problem then, is that the price approaches an original. At least you get the features you want instead of what you can find. Thanks.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2005, 12:18:28 PM »

I've never fired my friend's Meacham, but he tells me it's as good as it looks, and it looks fantastic! They are better than the originals, when it comes to fit and finish. A lot of hand fitting is done on the Meacham, but as you mentioned, they are NOT cheap! But you did ask which was best!

DropBlock · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2005, 03:14:57 PM »

Any thoughts on how the Ballard compares? I hate to be subject to the laws of economy but I admit it is so. The more I look at the Meacham, price wise, the more I'm tempted to shoot my original.

KENTDEP · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2005, 02:48:23 AM »

I have held a Ballard and I personally would not hesitate to purchase one of them if I were in the market.

Jay

RPbump · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2005, 02:30:01 PM »

C. Sharps use Badger barrels and that is a big plus. I own 3 Browning BPCR's in 40-65, 45-70, & 45-90, they all shoot, have beautiful wood and also have Badger barrels. The only Meacham high wall that I've handled was a wonderful example of craftsmanship, truely a rifle that one would be proud to own. My ballard 38-55 1 3/4 Far West is also an example of fine craftsmanship and I'm sure this carrys over to the Ballard 1885's. Any of the rifles mentioned are well made, your choice is really only limited by your pocketbook. Rbump

30/40 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:24:53 PM »

I own a Ballard high wall in 30/40 Krag; the 127th one made. I had emailed some questions to Ballard and was asked to call them on the phone to get more detailed answers than just straight technical details. I did and was connected to the head gunsmith where they were being made. He proceeded to ask me questions so they could make sure I ordered what I really needed, asking questions like what distances and targets I will be mostly shooting at and will I try hunting with it! He even talked me out of buying one of their rear sights, as he felt another maker's sight (MVA #130) would better suit my needs! For my shooting he suggested a single set trigger rather than double set. Perhaps other makers would have also provided that type of service. We agreed on bbl length and contour, front sight choice, and buttstock style (shotgun). 11 months later, mine arrived. I am very pleased with it. No complaints with the fit or finish; beautiful (to me) straight grained walnut. Badger bbl if I remember correctly. At 50 with iron sights off a rest, I get 1 ragged hole groups (lyman 311291, #2 alloy, sized .311", 15.7gr 2400. I have never tried jacketed bullets. At 100yd the groups are an inch or less. The farthest fired was 150yd at clay pigeons, and all are easily hit (off a rest). I had hoped for a 9 lb rifle without sights, but was told the weight will vary depending upon the density of the stock; mine weighs 9 lb 10 oz. Hope this helps some.

JohnClif · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2005, 03:45:40 AM »

IIRC, the Ballard High Wall is machined from an investment casting. It's a nice action, and they make a nice rifle, but IMO the Meacham is a step above it in quality, just as the Ballard High Wall is a step above the European imports.

I own a couple of original Winchester 1885s, and a couple of Meachams. The Meacham is a 'blueprinted' 1885 built the way Winchester would have if they had CNC equipment back then. Everything is dimensionally perfect, the actions are extremely smooth (like an original Winchester 1885 or a Krag) due to the 8160 steel and the fact that they are really case-hardened, not just case-colored, and there is no slack or slop... just that incredible bank-vault-door feel as you work the action.

Steve Meacham has made a couple of improvements... smaller firing-pin hole, a stock through-bolt... just as the master gunsmiths of the Golden Era did when building a fine rifle from an original Winchester. All of his parts are interchangeable with original coil-spring 1885 actions.

My Meacham 1885 Low Wall .22LR schuetzen is the most accurate .22 rifle I own (and I own more than a dozen, including Kimbers, Winchester 52s, and a Turbo Specialties benchrest-based silhouette rifle). On a calm, clear day I can regularly shoot sub-1" groups at 100 yards with Federal UM1 ammo (and my Lyman Targetspot 20x)... although the schuetzen stock is a bear on the bench.

If you want a rifle that is better than anything Winchester (or Pope, or Schoyen) ever put out, then get a Meacham.

***

By the way, I am selling one of my Meachams, a silhouette model with extra-fancy wood, double-set triggers, and two barrels... one a .40-60 Maynard (.40 caliber on the easily-obtainable .30-40 Krag case), the other a .45-70 barrel. The gun has been test fired only. I have too many rifles, too many safes, I don't think I'll ever shoot BPCR, and I have another Meacham on the way (a Low Wall for small game and varminting). This rifle has a replacement cost of around $4,000 and an 18-month waiting list, but I'll sell it for $2,800 plus shipping to your FFL.