I found and purchased a Browning 1885 in .454 Casull, wanting a single shot to match my single action. I have cleaned the chamber and the ejector spring and lubed the spring. I cannot get full power factory .454 loads to eject. The only loads that will eject are 240gr@1450. A Corbon load. Any suggestions?
Andy

PS Even some heavy .45Colt loads refuse to eject(PMC 300gr@1300)

Myself (and a lot of others) had/have the same problem with the older Handi-Rifles fitted with spring ejectors. The usual fix involves polishing the chamber and/or installing a stronger ejector spring. I'm not familiar with the Browning ejector design but Ruger #1's solve the problem by mechanically extracting the case first and then, if adjusted to do so, eject it with a spring. Does your rifle extract the case but just not eject it? If so, maybe a weak spring or adjustment is the problem. Good luck...Jon.

Jon,

The 1885 has only a spring type ejector, as best as I can tell. I wanted a Ruger #1 but did not have the $$ for a custom. I am at the point of wondering if I might be able to trade this gun for a #1 and the work involved in creating a .454 #1

Andy

So, when you FIRMLY lower the lever all the way the stuck case head is still flush with the barrel breech? No extraction at all? If so, it's disappointing the modern Browning (Japanese) would screw up such a great design.

Jon, you are 100% correct. No extraction whatsoever with full power factory loads. It is very disappointing. I have considered shipping the gun to Browning with fired cases from both standard and "reduced" loads. I don't know what else to do.
Maybe trade the gun for the custom work necessary to make a .454 on a Ruger #1--never had an extraction problem with any of those.
Andy

I was never sucessful getting my Handi-Rifle to eject even after polishing the chamber and installing a stronger spring. I finally replaced the barrel with one with a "real" extractor.

If you really need to shoot full power 454 loads and want them to eject I guess your best bet is a Ruger. If you can find one, a Ruger #3 carbine re-barreled to 454 would be a perfect match to your handgun. Of course a #1 would be fine too.

After my experience with the Handi-Rifle I would never buy ANY rifle or shotgun that only has an ejector. Sorry you're having trouble but I agree you probably need a different rifle. Good luck...

Jon

I really wanted a #1 to start with. Couldn't find one so settled for the Browning. Can anyone recommend a good Ruger smith especially if in Texas. I seem to run across many 458s and 416s. Maybe I can buy one cheap and get an extracting ejector .454.
Andy

My 1885 Brownings in the standard configuration have positive extraction and ejection.
There is a large cam that drives the extractor/ejector if you just push forward on the lever.

quote:

Originally posted by drewhenrytnt:
Jon,

The 1885 has only a spring type ejector, as best as I can tell.

Nope, the Browning 1885 has a very positive cammed extraction followed by a spring powered ejection, which works very well in mine in 30-06. Something is not right here with this .454