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Browning 1885 Hi wall?

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13 December 2004, 06:48
CK
Browning 1885 Hi wall?
Just found one at my local dealer - In 22-250, seems like one heck of a rifle. Anyone have any experience with this type of rifle? So as it stands, my Christmas Present came early this year.
13 December 2004, 08:32
rons
I don't have expirence with the 22-250 but I do with the 25-06. It's actually my favorite rifle. Wonderful job of machining and a nice balance to it. I'm sure you will like the 22-250.
13 December 2004, 08:33
mete
Yes you will love it .I will never part with my 45-70.
14 December 2004, 12:13
MED
My 1885 Hi wall is a 270 Win. It's nice to look at, and it shoots great.

Mike D.
14 December 2004, 18:17
kTrout
I have a high-wall in 30-06. Some rifles come, others go. This is one that I'll keep. Beautiful wood, shoots one inch groups. It has a 28" barrell, and I get approx 2950 fps, with nosler 180 gr partitions over 58 gr. H4350. Ya got to love it. 300 win mag velocity at 30-06 recoil. I've yet to miss with this rifle. Shot my biggest deer the last two years with this rifle and got a 250 pound audad this year that scored approx 94.
14 January 2005, 18:52
CK
Yes, these are one heck of nice rifle. I just picked mine up last week. I'm still waiting or my dies to get here to start reloading for it.


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!
14 January 2005, 20:17
butchloc
while not exactually the same I've had a B78 in 22/250 for several years. one hell of nice rifle holds about 3/4 minute light, short & handy, plus sure is nice to look at
14 January 2005, 22:15
cowboy77845
I have the 25-06, the 270 and the 22-250. Have shot the first two and like them a lot. The 270 is most accurate and a joy to shoot. The 22-250 is still NIB. Been caarying it around for 20 yrs. I might suggest that you glass bed the stock to avoid cracking at the wrist. My 25-06 had the hole for the bolt drilled a bit off center and the stock split at the wrist. Enjoy the rifle.
19 January 2005, 07:13
CK
I made a call to Ballard Rifles to ask about the Browning compared to their rifle. The response from the Ballard customer service guy went like this. "To compare our 1885 action (Ballard) to the Browning 1885 would be like comparing a Model 70 action to a Rem. Model 700 action". Nothing is interchangeable between the two. I ask why the difference, "mass production" and a true 1885 action takes more time to build by hand and about $2500.00 more in cost. A interesting little bit of information.


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!
20 January 2005, 18:07
DMB
Spending time on the Ballard web site is a good way to dream about some beautiful rifles. I have the passion for one of their Number 3's in 22 Rimfire.
Don




23 January 2005, 21:01
CK
Throughout the years I've had several 22-250's and some shot well, while other's didn't. My current 22-250 is this Browning 1885 and it's not shooting like I'd hope so far. Shooting off the bench with a Harris BR bipod and a sand at the rear of the stock, this rifle will throw two rounds down range in the same hole, however the next three rounds will be in flyer land (meaning two-three inches off the target). So I starting looking at the forearm of my 1885. On the left side of the forearm to the bottom of the barrel, there's plenty of air space, you get to the right side of the forearm, you'll be lucky to slide a dollar bill between the barrel and the forearm. SO with the looks of things, these Browning 1885's in higher speed rounds need the forearms/barrels free floating? It sure seems this is the case - Just wanted to find if other's can concur before I start removing wood from the forearm of my 1885.


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!
26 January 2005, 18:00
Brent
If you float the forearm, to what will it attach? I don't know the brownings but I do know original Win 1885s don't need or can even hold a floated forearm. What I do, is bed the entire forearm to the barrel.

What you may look for however, is where the wood meets the receiver. In this location, you might want to releave it a little. On an original this can be sort of tricky because there is a flange that comes forward from the receiver over the first 1/10" inch of the forearm, but it's all doable.

Anyway, check the forearm/receiver area and look for excessive or uneven pressure there.

Brent


When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
27 January 2005, 04:51
mete
The 1885 Browning is supposed to be free floating. There is a hanger fastened to the receiver and the forend fastened to that . It should not touch the barrel.My hanger did not sit tightly against the receiver so I corrected that but never did any before and after tests for accuracy.
27 January 2005, 05:12
Brent
Mete,
Thanks, I did not know that the Browning 85 is really different than a real 1885 in just one more way I guess.
Brent


When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
27 January 2005, 05:40
CK
Mete,

Free floating, that's what I thought, but like I said before I wanted to confirm it before adjusting the forearm. Thanks


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!
27 January 2005, 06:57
mete
CK, that,s why the Browning doesn't have the accuracy/forend problems that the Ruger has. Big Grin Big Grin
30 January 2005, 06:29
CK
Well, after removing some wood from the forearm of my Browning 1885 and checking the throat length with a Sierra 52 gr. HPBT and a 22-250 Stoning Point cart. adapter, (which came to 2.470 inches to the lands) I loaded up some 22-250 to 2.450 OAL and went to the range. Accuracy improved greatly - 100 meters 5 shot group .948,
holding it steady is the hard part bawling I'm one happy camper now Smiler


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!
30 January 2005, 07:28
mete
Glad to hear it , now you have no excuse for missing!! Big Grin
30 January 2005, 11:03
CK
Mete,

I went back and looked at the before target, (before working on the forearm) and now. The group shrunk 1.5 inches (yes, a 2.5 inch group before if I was lucky), but now .948.........


"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." Mark Twain - Chris - IYAOYAS!