Took the new to me 1885 Win. out last weekend and was pleasantly surprised at how well it shot! Getting it on paper at 50 yds. it shot 5 shots in one ragged hole. Moved out to 100 yds., and it put the remaining 15 rounds inside a 1" group from the sandbags. I put a 20x Litschert target scope on top, as it was set up for target scope bases.
Shot all 60 rnds. that came with it, and this weekend decided to try and reload for the .219 Wasp, although I don't have dies in this caliber. The cartrige looks much like my .22-250 Rem., but with a rim, as it's based on the .30-30 case.
I figured maybethe .22-250 dies might work if I set them up to neck size only. Sure enough, they not only work, but work great! I reloaded all the empties with BLC-2 at 27.0 grs., and a 50 gr. spire point. This was the original loading I had, so hopefully it will shoot as accurately as the first 60 did!
OT - 1885 Win in 219 Wasp
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marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6917
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
To Marlinman93,
Arn't the .22 wildcats fun? I have a Remington Hepburn that was turned into a varmint rig in the 1940's in 219 Ackley Improved and from the bench at 100 yards it will do 5/8" 10 shot groups with a 20X Lyman Super Target Spot. I also have Win. 1885's in 218 Mashburn Bee and another in R2-Lovell,plus my CPA Stevens in 219 Zipper,25-35 WCF,and 7-30 Waters. That is the beauty of the CPA Stevens,you can swap barrels in about 5 minutes. I remember reading about the 219 Donaldson Wasp. The case is a little shorter than the 219 Ackley Improved and the vel. is very close to being the same. I guess that I should get a Wasp some day.It would full out the wildcat collection.
Arn't the .22 wildcats fun? I have a Remington Hepburn that was turned into a varmint rig in the 1940's in 219 Ackley Improved and from the bench at 100 yards it will do 5/8" 10 shot groups with a 20X Lyman Super Target Spot. I also have Win. 1885's in 218 Mashburn Bee and another in R2-Lovell,plus my CPA Stevens in 219 Zipper,25-35 WCF,and 7-30 Waters. That is the beauty of the CPA Stevens,you can swap barrels in about 5 minutes. I remember reading about the 219 Donaldson Wasp. The case is a little shorter than the 219 Ackley Improved and the vel. is very close to being the same. I guess that I should get a Wasp some day.It would full out the wildcat collection.
David S
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marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6917
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
I have to admit I bought this gun to return it to it's original factory configuration. It was a Special Sporting rifle according to the museum at Cody, Wy.
Originally it had a #4 weight 30" full octagon barrel in .32-40, with schuetzen double set triggers, and XX stocks with checkered pistol grip wood.
Since I decided to shoot up the ammo first, I discovered how accurate it is, and now I can't bring myself to tear it apart! Not much that's more appealing to me than a great shooting .22 centerfire!
I had my Rem. 700 VSF along with me and shot the two side by side. I'm afraid my 700 wont shoot quite as accurate as this Wasp does. The loads can be very close to the .22-250 in velocity too, and although the cases are slightly sorter and rimmed, they definitely have a very similar shape. I like the Rem 700VSF, but it's definitely not a "pretty" gun to my eye. More like a nice tool, than a classic beauty.
Sounds like you've got some nice classic shooters there yourself!-Vall
Originally it had a #4 weight 30" full octagon barrel in .32-40, with schuetzen double set triggers, and XX stocks with checkered pistol grip wood.
Since I decided to shoot up the ammo first, I discovered how accurate it is, and now I can't bring myself to tear it apart! Not much that's more appealing to me than a great shooting .22 centerfire!
I had my Rem. 700 VSF along with me and shot the two side by side. I'm afraid my 700 wont shoot quite as accurate as this Wasp does. The loads can be very close to the .22-250 in velocity too, and although the cases are slightly sorter and rimmed, they definitely have a very similar shape. I like the Rem 700VSF, but it's definitely not a "pretty" gun to my eye. More like a nice tool, than a classic beauty.
Sounds like you've got some nice classic shooters there yourself!-Vall
To Marlinman93,
I too have a good number of original single shots and at the time I would not even look at a period varmint rig or rebarreled single shot. This slowly changed over time when I realized that they all have a place in the history of the high velocity center fire cartridge development. My 1885 Winchester low wall was originaly a deluxe grade sporting rifle in 32-40. This rifle was owned by Ken Waters and is pictured in his Pet loads book by Wolfe Publishing. Ken Waters had bought this rifle with a bad bore and had a Hublick liner installed so he could try the R2-Lovell out. The R2 is based on the 25-20 single shot case necked down to .22 and with a sharp shoulder to increase powder capacity. With this kind of history it has to stay as it is. Also did you know that the .225 Winchester factory round is basiclly a .219 Improved in a semi rimmed configuration. Velocity is about the same.
I too have a good number of original single shots and at the time I would not even look at a period varmint rig or rebarreled single shot. This slowly changed over time when I realized that they all have a place in the history of the high velocity center fire cartridge development. My 1885 Winchester low wall was originaly a deluxe grade sporting rifle in 32-40. This rifle was owned by Ken Waters and is pictured in his Pet loads book by Wolfe Publishing. Ken Waters had bought this rifle with a bad bore and had a Hublick liner installed so he could try the R2-Lovell out. The R2 is based on the 25-20 single shot case necked down to .22 and with a sharp shoulder to increase powder capacity. With this kind of history it has to stay as it is. Also did you know that the .225 Winchester factory round is basiclly a .219 Improved in a semi rimmed configuration. Velocity is about the same.
David S
HI MM
about 10 years ago Jimmy Smalley built a 22 Mashburn on a stevens frame that I eventually sold for him for 175.00 and it had a 4X leupold on it. thats one gun I still kick myself over. But at that time I wanted orig. guns only...Yes I had blinders on what a mistake.
leave it the way it is for now you can always turn it back when the throat is gone!!!!
rafter-7
about 10 years ago Jimmy Smalley built a 22 Mashburn on a stevens frame that I eventually sold for him for 175.00 and it had a 4X leupold on it. thats one gun I still kick myself over. But at that time I wanted orig. guns only...Yes I had blinders on what a mistake.
leave it the way it is for now you can always turn it back when the throat is gone!!!!
rafter-7
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marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6917
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
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Fungus Sam
- Shootist
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:58 pm
- Location: Mt Vernon, MO
MM, interesting that you mention having a Litschert 20X. I too have one on a 1890 vintage hi-wall which has been rebarrelled to .225 win. It has an ultra-fine crosshair and is still clear and crisp. My gun shoots into the small groups like you describe. It also has XX or XXX stocks with beautiful figuring. I take it prairie dog shooting all the time. Tom