This rifle has been back to Browning with fired cases and they can't find anything wrong. I am looking for a smith with lots of experience with the 1885s who might know something they don't. With 454 loads 325gr cast at 1350 out of my Freedom Arms model 83 10" this 1885 works flawlessly. When I move to full power FACTORY 454 cast or jacketed, I have to tap the cases out with a wooden dowel. Measuring the fired cases shows no appreciable difference than the ones fired in my model 83. I am measuring with a 5 place electronic digital micrometer.
This rifle shoots a fantastic group at 175 yds, but it won't extract cases worth a damn!

I am at my wits end. Any suggestions?

Andy B

Push the lever forward harder once it is open.
If that does not work shoot lighter loads.

sounds to me like either you have a rough chamber or the loads are to heavy

Look at the cases with a loupe to see if they're being "resized" (would show up as slight drag marks) after they have been tapped out of the chamber. Could it be that you have a slightly oversized chamber towards the barrel? Otherwise, I'd vote for the slight roughness and would consider polishing or having the chamber polished.