Which is the closest copy of the original John M. Browning designed Winchester Hi-Wall action? I'm looking at and considering buying a used .45-70 single shot, to shoot a little now and probably use for a rebarreling project in a year or so. I do love my NEF singles and with the thought of sending one out for a rebore, almost had a new Buff. Classic 45-70 (for future rebore to .50 cal.)fitted to one of my high ser.# actions while it was back at H&R for work. After doing the math, I realized I'd end up with close to $600- invested in what would still basically remain a $250- rifle! I can buy a new tapered Oct. or round barrel from Green Mountain and rent a reamer - for $250- or less, fit it to a Ruger #1 or Hi-Wall action and end up with a rifle that will bring at least $750- should I ever want/need to sell, and decided that might make more sense.

We all recognize that Ruger #1 is one of strongest and best engineered singles, but I prefer hammer guns, with no "new" anti-litigation designed tang or sear or rebounding safeties! Which of the Browning B78s or 1885s, also Uberti and other import Hi-Wall copies comes closest to the original Win. action? I'm reading that some Brownings had a "sear" safety, are any tang safety or rebounding hammer (to avoid!)? I'm learning to live with the metric threads and am looking to buy a $750- or less used rifle, with an action that reasonably copies the original Win. Hi-Wall (either coil or flatspring), preferably blued modern steel opposed to case-hardened, with decent wood (at least refinishable w/preferably no checkering or high gloss).

I've been searching for info and would really appreciate a comparison of features and pros & cons of the various Win. copies. Must be a couple Hi-Wall gurus out there - at least this question finally isn't about 71/86 levers, got that settled thank you!!!

Hobbyguymaine/Old Windbag

I do not think any of these will go for under $750, but the best chance you have is the Uberti. I'm not familiar with what they cost.

But none of them are very close at all to the original John Browning 78. Winchester made significant alterations after buying Browning's patent.

Decent shootable Highwalls - originals can be had for $1200 or so. I bought one a few years ago for $800 that needed relining.

The recent remake of the Highwall by Browning/Winchester has a completely different trigger group/action set up, but looks sorta okay on the outside.

Ballard Rifle Highwalls are part-interchangable with original Highwalls, but they cost about $2k and up. C. Sharps Arms also makes a Highwall for a bit less, but not a lot less. Not sure how identical it is to the originals. Probably pretty close though.

The bottom line is that there are not anything that is really like an original Browning 78. And the 1885s original or new, are likely to strain your budget limit pretty hard.

Brent

I like Ballards the best, Sharps are nice too. For low cost, the Uberti is hard to beat.

asdf

Why do you like the Ballard over the Singleshot? I have one of both and really like the singleshot over the Ballard personally. The Winnie has one huge advantage in that you can work the block with the hammer in any position. The Ballard risks breaking a sear if worked with the hammer down.

Winnies are prettier too - but they are certainly all good.

Brent

In addition to original Ballard patents, the current Ballard company also makes a copy of the 1885 Hi Wall, and Hepburns too. www.ballardrifles.com

I believe those by Ballard Rifles will be as good as you can get, but they are not cheap. I visited them once, and I must warn you if it's a .45-70 you seek, don't visit them. You'll come away wanting a Ballard instead, and they cost even more.

As has been said, even original Winchesters differ from the original Brownings, ie. those he made in Utah. You can see the details in Grant's books.

Frankly, I don't think the flat spring models cycle as smoothly as the coil spring models. Meacham makes very well regarded (and very pricey) actions which look like Winchesters but differ significantly. I think all their changes are for the better, though. They use the coil spring and offer an inertia firing pin for safer carry with the hammer down. I believe they run over $3000, and I do wish I could afford one.