Winchester 1895

[StrawHat]

I don't think I've posted this one here so this is my 1895.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/WinchesterModel1895001.jpg

It came from the factory in 1900 and was cut for the 30 Gov't cartridge. Years of corrosive ammo and neglect allowed me to afford it. After trying unsuccesfully to scrub the bore clean I sent it out to be rebored and had the action reworked. It is now a 405 WCF. I have molds to cast 300 grain bullets from Lyman and RCBS. So far the rifle likes the Lyman 412236 over 28 grains of 5744. No idea of velocity but it groups nicely to a couple hundred yards farther than I will shoot at game.

I treat it as if it were a 40-72 and find it an easy rifle to handle. But if I need to the capacity is there to stoke it to higher levels.

[Dframe]

Very nice. I've always admired the 1895 though I've never owned one.

[StrawHat]

Well, this one is a shooter even with the rifle plate on the butt. I had an aperture sight installed and a sourdough front sight. Nice sight picture and as long as I keep the velocity down, comfortable for me to use. Even the factory loads aren't too bad. I don't "bench" my rifles, just target them with shooting positions I am likely to use in the field. Mostly sitting. I find from an upright position I can sit and hit my target fast enough to fill the freezer most times. I also practice offhand and kneeling. Kneeling in the field is a nuisance. Seems my knee always wants to land on a stick or worse, a rock. For some reason neither of those seem to bother my butt. Offhand from a rest is about as steady as sitting but not always an option.

With the exception of my 22 WCF, this is my working smallbore.

[mycar47562]

Can you get a lighter picture don't think i have seen that before

[StrawHat]

Close up of the action and rear sight.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/Win1895action002.jpg

Additional photos will have to wait for new camera.

[mycar47562]

That lever assembly is interesting can you explain the thing in front of the lever?

[Dframe]

Beautiful rifle Straw. Love the lyman sight.

[rjrivero]

That lever assembly is interesting can you explain the thing in front of the lever?

Looks to me like it's a magazine. No tube under the barrel to hold the rounds.

[StrawHat]

Looks to me like it's a magazine. No tube under the barrel to hold the rounds.


Exactly, this is a box magazine rifle, which means you can use spitzer bullets in it. Originally there were no spitzer bullets for the 405 but they were available for the 30 Gov't and the 30-06. Round nose bullets can also be used. So can flat nosed but any lever action rifle can use those.

[mycar47562]

A magazine lever action? Never seen one before thanks for posting

[StrawHat]

A magazine lever action? Never seen one before thanks for posting

Your welcome. Browning designed this rifle to take advantage of the emerging bullet technology of the day. It was the first sporting rifle to chamber the 30 Gov't (30-40 Krag) and found favor with law enforcement types. It was carried by the Arizona Rangers and others.

Initially offered in 30 Gov't, 38-72 and 40-72, it was eventually chambered in 303 British, 35 WCF, 405 WCF, 30-03, 30-06, 7.62 x 54 R, and maybe in 6mm Navy. In the 30-06 chanbering it was found to be not strong enough to handle the loads of the day and suffered from bolt set back.

The 405 was never a popular chambering (T. Roosevelt aside) as it was considered too powerful for this continent!

The 7.62 x 54 was the most numerous chambering as the Russian military placed a large order for them.

It was never as popular as the 1886 but to me it is a lighter arm and balances better in my hand. It remains the only lever action I own.

[mycar47562]

are there many floating around in 762? any idea on the price ranges?

[StrawHat]

The ones sold to Russia have been rode hard and put away wet for the most part. I have seen a couple in the last 40 years and they were not in anything resembling good shape. I heard of one in good shape and hear it went for big bucks but I never saw it. From what I understand they were used, abused, rebuilt (by Rusky Mechanic) and used some more. Stored in crappy conditions and sent to whereever they were needed. I wish they would find some like the Mausers have been found but I quit holding my breath on that one. Sorry for the less than great news.

[mycar47562]

wow that's kinda depressing

[Oriondk]

Winchester does make new ones, but only in .405 Winchester. Kinda pricy, though.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/Oriondk/Winchester1895CustomGrade.jpg

[StrawHat]

but only in .405 Winchester.

You make that sound like a bad thing!!

The Japanese have reworked the 1895 and the changes they have made turn it into a clumsy approximation of the original. Too much wood for my tastes. And ususally too much barrel also.