Does anyone here have experience with the old .33 Winchester? I have an 1886 Winchester I traded for a few years ago with the intent of rebarreling to a larger black powder caliber, but I just never got around to having the gun rechambered. It came with three boxes of handloaded ammo, and I just fired this thing for the first time this past Sunday. These old handloads were made from .45-70 brass, and the batch I fired said they were made in Oct 1966, and were .338 200gr loads, with 42gr of Hi Vel #2 powder with a MV of 2400. That is no slouch for an old lever gun, and I got the impression it would lay a moose down. I have to say this old gun was fun to shoot. Even though it has a crescent buttplate there was very little recoil. According to the Cody Museum, this rifle started life in 1892 as a .45-70, but was later rebarreled by Les Bauska of Kalipell to the .33 Winchester caliber. My goal was always to have an 86' in either .45-70 or .45-90WCF, but having shot this .33 I'm wondering if I should just leave it as it is. I'm wondering if there are any other folks on this board who are familiar with this caliber.
I load & shoot a couple of them. I wouldn't change calibers if you plan on hunting with the gun. The 33cal 200gn has far better ballistic than the 45's unless you are content with very short range. In fact the 33 competes very favorably with the 358 & you know that caliber sure has a strong following!! 2400fps is pretty stout for the old gun but if theres no pressure signs go for it, I personally keep mine down to about 2200.
quote:Originally posted by Salish: Hi, Salish- Greetings from Eastern WA. I have .33 wcf 86 win I just really like it user friendly and I make all my brass from 45-70 and shoot alot of 183gr hollowpoint gas check cast bullets I get outstanding accuracy with 18 grs of 4759 like 1.8" for five shots @100 yds I load the 200 gr Hornady for hunting.I first became acquainted with the cartridge years ago when hunting with an old packer for sheep camps He claims to have never lost a head of game when using it I in youthful ignorance asked him if it was as good as a 30-30 he was not given to talking much he just got red in the face and didn't say much the rest of the day the ultimate insult I guess I vote you enjoy it as is,it will work for most any big game and like I say is pleasant to use,- Rawhider
Does anyone here have experience with the old .33 Winchester? I have an 1886 Winchester I traded for a few years ago with the intent of rebarreling to a larger black powder caliber, but I just never got around to having the gun rechambered. It came with three boxes of handloaded ammo, and I just fired this thing for the first time this past Sunday. These old handloads were made from .45-70 brass, and the batch I fired said they were made in Oct 1966, and were .338 200gr loads, with 42gr of Hi Vel #2 powder with a MV of 2400. That is no slouch for an old lever gun, and I got the impression it would lay a moose down. I have to say this old gun was fun to shoot. Even though it has a crescent buttplate there was very little recoil. According to the Cody Museum, this rifle started life in 1892 as a .45-70, but was later rebarreled by Les Bauska of Kalipell to the .33 Winchester caliber. My goal was always to have an 86' in either .45-70 or .45-90WCF, but having shot this .33 I'm wondering if I should just leave it as it is. I'm wondering if there are any other folks on this board who are familiar with this caliber.
Thanks very much for your reply. I appreciate your comments. Salish
quote:Originally posted by sxr6: I load & shoot a couple of them. I wouldn't change calibers if you plan on hunting with the gun. The 33cal 200gn has far better ballistic than the 45's unless you are content with very short range. In fact the 33 competes very favorably with the 358 & you know that caliber sure has a strong following!! 2400fps is pretty stout for the old gun but if theres no pressure signs go for it, I personally keep mine down to about 2200.
Nice to find another 1886 Winchester fan here in Washington. Thanks for your very helpful reply. I will probably just leave this the caliber it is, although I may try and see about getting a different barrel for it. I appreciate your comments.
