winchester 1886 45-70 conversion to 50 cal. questions

[Mike8623]

Just wanted to let folks know, got my rifle all built and just shooting the dickens out of it.......really like it a lot........kinda put together a leather kick pad so it doesn't destroy my shoulder, conforming to the contour of the original butt, and am in the process of working up some 500+ grain loads..........I've tried all sort of higher grain bullets (600+) and they just tumbled on me........so far the 455 grainers from montana bullet works are working the best for me....., anyway I am having a good time..........although I do have a young Grizzly that has been roaming kinda close to my place.........saw him once right out my door at 200 yards....I sure hope he keeps his distance.

Still haven't been able to figure out that Greenhill formula........with my 1/26 twist it seems that my rifle would shoot those heavier bullets just fine........but no go......anyway guys I'm plugging away at it and having a good time.

[.45colt]

One of the GREATEST SINS YOU CAN POSSIBLY COMMIT HERE IS NOT POSTING PICTURES OF THIS RIFLE. sorry to holler, but we really want to SEE this work of art. Please. .

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, a belated WELCOME to the board! And yes, please do post pics! Video links are also welcome

[Mike8623]

Well I wouldn't exactly call it a work of art, but it sure works for me. I'm way up on a mountain top in Montana and will be....... until the middle of next month........Don't have a digital camera here so when I get back I post a picure or two......in the mean time I'll post a picture of that Grizzly taken a few years back when he was little...he's a lot bigger now and collared........

OK, found this years picture......will see if it loads

[COSteve]

Hey guys, new here, but have a couple of questions. I have a old Winchester 1886 parts gun in 45-70, 22 inch barrel, shoots good, I can put all my rounds in a 18 inch circle at 300 yards with a 405 g. bullet and with open sights ...

First, welcome to the fire. Pull up a stump, grab a cup of jo, and join in the jawin'. Now, as to your 300yd shooting, I agree that an 18" group at 300yds with open sights is impressive. That's a far piece to shoot and you've got your 45-70 doing well no matter what anyone tells ya.

[Mike8623]

OK Guys finally got back and I will attempt to post the pics of the 1886 50-110 I did. also included is the one I am working on now.....Both of these were put together from parts I scrounged and were not complete rifles when I got them

[plstktnkr2]

I am a noob here but I have taken a different path. I am going to purchase a brand new 1886 reissue (so to speak) and a barrel from Green Mountain chambered in 50-110 Express, pack it up to a gunsmith and have the conversion done. Total cost with new rifle,barrel and conversion fee= $ 2,000.00. A small price to pay for a brand new express rifle.
Rick

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I am going to purchase a brand new 1886 reissue (so to speak) and a barrel from Green Mountain chambered in 50-110 Express, pack it up to a gunsmith and have the conversion done.

I'd suggest a shotgun butt version if you can find it. Easier on the shoulder than the traditional rifle butt under heavy recoil. Sounds like a plan though.

[kimwcook]

Well, I apparently missed this post the first time around. Cool that Mike8623 got his rifle made up.

plstktnkr2, Welcome to the forum and let us know when you get'er done. Post us a pic or two.

[plstktnkr2]

I am going with a shotgun butt, and full magazine tube. When it is done I will post pics as soon as the big butt grin wears off lol

One quick question: is it inadvisable to have curley maple stocks on a powerful gun such as this? Reason being I like the look of the 1874 Sharps "Old West Maple" on the cover of "GUNS OF THE OLD WEST" /Winter 2012 issue. Just musings for next winter.
Rick

[Mike8623]

Well guys got my other 1886 completed, the way my boy wanted it......keep in mind it isfrom parts (a parts gun) and different from what you have seen in the past, but my boy had been wanting a scout rifle...so I guess he has one now. It has a 18.5 barrel in 50-110 with a xs scout mount and in Duracoat amstripe. I'm still waiting for the burris fastfire relfex to put on it, anyway thought I'd show you folks.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I like the rail. That FastFire should be great on there.

[M. M. Wright]

Welcome to the camp. At one time I had a 50-110 that had an original Winchester 50 barrel on a 71 Browning. It was very well put together, by who I don't know, but that original barrel had a very slow twist rate so that I could only load about a 300 grain bullet. Ended up trading it for a 73 and some $$. If you go with a new barrel you can probably specify a fast enough twist to stabilize a little more bullet.

[Borregos]

That certainly is different!!
Sure is a nice scout rifle for your boy though

[COSteve]

Once again we find another 'tinkerer' who makes up his rifle the way He wants, not necessarily the way the makers wanted. I for one salute your industry and gumption to see both projects through to the end. Also, I'm glad they are working well for ya. I can't believe the number of members here who make their own stuff, this site is wonderful!!

[Mac in Mo]

Nice job on those. Nice barrel on the first, love the half oct/half round. Very unique look on that second rifle.

Kevin

[kimwcook]

That tiger stripe reminds me of Vietnam. Something you'd see a special forces guy packin.

[plstktnkr2]

I have finally recieved my model '86 and I am getting the parts together to do my conversion. Can anybody help me with case/case measurements 45/70/50-110? I also need to find out how to aquire a full mag tube, mag tube mount and proper sight for an octagonal barrel.


ps. what is the size/ thread of the "made in japan" model '86 reciever?
Rick

And we are off, lol

[Mike Rintoul]

I'm a big bore fan and appreciate any rifle caliber that starts with .50! 50-110 is an excellent cartridge that can be loaded to just about any task you could ask of it. Good shooting with it!

[AJMD429]

Once again we find another 'tinkerer' who makes up his rifle the way He wants, not necessarily the way the makers wanted. I for one salute your industry and gumption to see both projects through to the end. Also, I'm glad they are working well for ya. I can't believe the number of members here who make their own stuff, this site is wonderful!!

+1

That end-result looks like a 'serious' gun - my favorite kind:

• 'Traditional' gun - nothing much added or modified, unless everyone else has done the same.
  
  'TactiKool' gun - lots of adds/mods, but the same ones everyone else does, and not actually practical, even for its creator, other than to look 'kool'.
  
  'Serious' gun - nothing just for looks or frills, but may have lots of traditional OR non-traditional adds/mods, enabling it to perform exceptionally well for its creator. Some guns (like a 1911, or Garand) are pretty much 'serious' without any modifications needed.

Most of my guns are 'traditional', and a few have evolved into 'serious' ones, and once in awhile I make up a 'tactikool' one (usually out of a toy gun, though).

[plstktnkr2]

Just wanted to let folks know, got my rifle all built and just shooting the dickens out of it.......really like it a lot........kinda put together a leather kick pad so it doesn't destroy my shoulder, conforming to the contour of the original butt, and am in the process of working up some 500+ grain loads..........I've tried all sort of higher grain bullets (600+) and they just tumbled on me........so far the 455 grainers from montana bullet works are working the best for me....., anyway I am having a good time..........although I do have a young Grizzly that has been roaming kinda close to my place.........saw him once right out my door at 200 yards....I sure hope he keeps his distance.

Still haven't been able to figure out that Greenhill formula........with my 1/26 twist it seems that my rifle would shoot those heavier bullets just fine........but no go......anyway guys I'm plugging away at it and having a good time.

Am I mis-informed or does a fast twist do better with lighter bullets and slower twist with heavier???