WInchester 1886 33WCF to 45-70

[Palmtreee]

I am looking for a gunsmith that would be able to rebore my 1886 from 33WCF to 45-70. Is there anyone that has used a gunsmith in the past that they could recommend. Thank you for help.

[Pete44ru]

I'd seek out fellow levergunner Mike Hunter (of Hunter Restoration) for advice.

He's listed in our membership roster, under "M" (MIKE HUNTER).

.

[Mike D.]

Why would you do that? Is the bore shot? If that is your pleasure, find another .33 barrel to bore out and keep the original as-is. There are usually .33 WCF barrels available on the net.

[Palmtreee]

It is an 1886 lightweight takedown made in 1920 in 33WCF. Can you tell me were to get 33WCF rounds? I have no collector value attached to this rifle.

[hfcable]

It is an 1886 lightweight takedown made in 1920 in 33WCF. Can you tell me were to get 33WCF rounds? I have no collector value attached to this rifle.

you can load 33 scf fairly easily.
if your rifle is a lightweight, the barrel may not have enough 'meat' at the sight dovetails to be rebored. i had one rebarreled for that reason [ it was originally a 45/70 someone had rebarreled to 33 wcf]

[fordwannabe]

Sorry but you can't buy 33wcf rounds(that I know of) but they are very easy to make from 45-70 brass. I will form some for you if you have a way of reloading them. If you want to just shoot it a couple times I've got some loaded and ready to go. I'll gladly send you a couple just to get the old girl up and running. Please have it checked by a gunny first though, please. Tom

[Palmtreee]

Sorry but you can't buy 33wcf rounds(that I know of) but they are very easy to make from 45-70 brass. I will form some for you if you have a way of reloading them. If you want to just shoot it a couple times I've got some loaded and ready to go. I'll gladly send you a couple just to get the old girl up and running. Please have it checked by a gunny first though, please. Tom

Thank you for the offer, that is very kind of you. I have have 45-70 rounds that I could use. I would much rather keep in the tradition of the caliber that I prefer. 45 ACP, 308 Win and 45-70. If I have to replace the barrel, well that is what I will have to do.
Just wondering if anyone had rebored an 1886 from 33 WCF to 45-70.

[Mike D.]

In short, yes, it has been done, but most often to misrepresent the gun a something that it is not. I almost fell for a 20" .45-90 last year, but a close examination told that the barrel had been shortened and bored from .33WCF. The little front ramp was even placed at the correct distance from the muzzle. To go to a .45 caliber the barrel would have to be shortened, as the 24" diameter is too small at the muzzle. .33WCF rifles measure .560 at the muzzle, larger LW calibers are .575 to .724.

[jnyork]

If you decide to rebarrel I would be interested in your .33 barrel.

[bdhold]

great discussion, and I had no idea the 33WCF was such a hot round.
it made me hunt down this article
http://www.americanshooting.com/4/Ameri ... g%204.html

[Thunder50]

JES reboring could probably do the work for you. $225 IIRC. If the bore is still good, I would keep it that way and just reload for it. Hornady still has bullets and you can reform cases. Keep it as is if you can.

[brno602]

I would keep it as is,it might not have colletor value to you but it will to someone else. I have the same rifle and when Hornady stopped making the 200gr FP I picked up 700 of them at half price they now make a rubber tipped 200gr, hard to find though I have a few. No fly's on the 33 Win great cal and One that can be hot roded a bit with handloading.Cases are easy to make from 45/70.
But I did know a guy that had one Re bored to 45/70 and he said it was a great rifle I found it lighter than a new Marlin 1895. I wish that old man was still alive as we often borrowed bullet moulds from each other.

[Mike D.]

great discussion, and I had no idea the 33WCF was such a hot round.
it made me hunt down this article
http://www.americanshooting.com/4/Ameri ... g%204.html

I read that article and was dismayed by the author referring to the Model 1886 as "a relatively week(SIC) action". That statement, coming from a shooter of a bored out BP .32-40 barrel, tells me that he knows not of what he speaks. IF you are going to use a Model 1885 High Wall for a HV cartridge use a Nickel Steel barrel, or a newly manufactured one. The 1886 is an immensely stout action, especially those built with improved steel after the 1902 introduction of the .33WCF. My mid-1910s .45-70 and rifles shoot even Buffalo bore ammo with ease, not to mention some of my "heavy" reloads. Anyone who disparages the 1886 needs to do his "homework" before putting ink to paper.

[fordwannabe]

Thanks Mike D I couln't have said it better myself.

[Larry O]

I have to interject my opinion here--for what it is worth. I have an '86 in .33 takedown. The bore is mint and the rest of the rifle is about NRA 85%. It is very accurate. I, also, got a bunch of Hornady 200 grain bullets before they quit making them. For the record, .33 brass can be had through Midway and Bertram also makes them. I got a bunch of originals that I use that are about 1950 or so vintage. Good stuff. I also got a bunch of .33 brass out of Midway awhile back and have made a bunch of .33 brass out of 45-70 cases which is the best and cheapest way to go. I know that Hawk Bullets sells that 200 grain bullet but have not got any yet. I do use both a Rapine and an RCBSgas check lead bullets for plinking. I suppose that what load is used is whither or not you want a "Magnum" out of this rifle or not. And as far as that twink said in his article that the '86 is a "week" action makes me think that he did not do his homework as that action is probably either one of or the strongest lever-actions that old John Browning ever invented!

[fordwannabe]

I bought a couple boxes of the Hawk bullets awhile ago, they are so so AFAIC. When you don't have anything else they will be fine but I am still trying to scrounge another box or 2 of the hornady's. Tom