My lightweight '86 Winchester.

[tom black]

When it comes to Winchester's I'm a weak, weak man. Especially when dealing with Pre '64 Model 70's or Browning designed lever actions. As far as I'm concerned, the Model of 1886 is the finest lever action the world has ever seen. Some 20 years ago I found myself hurting all over for a lightweight version in 45-70...until I shot one owned by a friend. It didn't take me long to realize what I really wanted was one in 33 WCF. I found this one an I've never looked back. The farthest I've ever shot it was 300 yards and I was surprised at how accurate it is. I've killed a truck load of deer with her and she's never let me down. Cases are formed from 45-70's an I have a few boxes of the now defunct Hornady .338" FN bullets so I'm good for a while. It was made back in 1910.
Tom Black

 

[Mega Twin]

Nice looking classic!

 

[kmoore]

Another nice rifle from another time. My 1886, I inherited and had it rebored and chambered from .33 win to 45-70. Before anyone passes out. It was not in an original rifle when I did that. Grandad was a gunsmith and got the rifle in the 30s from a guy shooting .410s shotshells single loading through it. I do not know the original caliber. It had a 26 inch barrel and full length mag. tube. It has the curved steel butt plate and a factory set 2 stage trigger. Grandad back then rebarreled it with a 24 inch round barrel in .33 win and shorten the mag to just forward of the forend. It nows holds 4 rounds in the mag. He added the redfield peep by drilling holes into the side of the receiver. That is the story told to me.
I had it re blued, barrel cut down to 20 inch's and bored out to 45-70. It shoots great with the 405gr. bullets. I will be stalking elk with it this year in afternoon hunts, a 128 year old rifle.

 

[WendyZXZ]

That is another great looking old Winchester, you do have an excellent collection of Winchester lever action rifles, one to be envious of!

 

[protoolman]

I have my great grandfather's 1886 Winchester in 40-82. Mine is a factory rare nickeled receiver. It was his elk rifle on the Montana ranch. I just recently got forming dies to reform 45-90 to 40-82.

 

[David LaPell]

I have to wipe the drool off the keyboard here.

I passed up the chance at an 1886 back in 2000-2001 and I shouldn't have, it was a rifle with full length magazine in .40-82, but I wasn't handloading then and the ammo didn't exist.
Then I remember talking to one of the older members of our hunting club, and he told me when he was growing up that he used a .40-82 and the gun was hell on wheels on whitetail. I would like one someday, either that or maybe a Model 71. They're big, beefy and built to lock up like a bank vault.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Tom, I called Missouri Bullet Co. looking for a .338” slug. They don’t make one. Told me molds were $1800.00. I was hoping they would make it.

 

[tom black]

I think RCBS made one?
Tom

 

[trapperon]

Tom

Just beautiful!! And I fully understand what you speak of, as I have a similar weakness--only in the model 71 variation of this!!! The 86 is truly the pinnacle of lever actions.

Thanks for the photo!

Ron

 

[tom black]

Trapperon you need to scroll down and find my post My best Winchester lever action if you like model 71’s. Thanks.
Tom

 

[gunman42782]

Nice!