Browning 1895.......?

[.45colt]

Hello All, I recently sold off some of my mid bore levers. every where I go I see lots of reasonable 30-06 ammo. haven't had an '06 in years.
I'm interested in a Browning 1895. for those with experience with the 1895 guns, do they have any mechanical weak points ? I can never,never remember any one reporting a problem with the design .even on the old Winchesters. not thinking of the new Winnie with the tang safety. don't want a bolt gun. Thanks in Advance Guys.

[Pete44ru]

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I hunted with a .30-06 Winchester/Miroku Model 1895 for a few years, that turned out to have only a single issue, for me.

My issue was that I found the rifle (not the chambering) limiting, range-wise, with a cartridge (.30-06) that is very effective at distances beyond my iron/open sight capabilities. (YMMV)

I was more comfortable shooting/hunting with the same rifle, however, chambered in .405Win - go figure.


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[Leverluver]

At one time I worked up some pressure data for rounds for a M95. I found that once you pushed past ~55KSI the brass started to stretch more so than if you stayed at or below those pressures. The gun can certainly handle (contain) higher pressures but if you are consistantly stretching brass, you are also stretching other things that do not bode well for longevity, IMO. Factory 30-06 pressures rarely exceed those pressures by much if at all so that cartridge is not overdoing the design. If you handload, stick with those pressures and don't go for the max. As mentioned, you are limited by the sighting equipment rather than power, so there is no point in trying to stretch it into a long range magnum. Other than that, the Browning is as smooth as silk and easy to shoot well. Mine is chambered in 30-40 so I have no stretch issues at all.

As an aside there is another "reality" show on one of the critter channels that has (again) folks in Alaska. One guy hunts with an old M95. One of the lead in teasers show him ejecting a cartridge and from the looks of it, it appears to be a 35 Win. At least he well equipped.

[tman]

The 06 in even budget price ammo, loaded in 150, 180 and 220 grn bullets will cover all North American game. The 220 grn has successfully taken elephant, along with all African game. Hornanday loads a SUPERFORMANCE round that will put you into .300 MAG country for long range elk. Some famous gun scribe once said that "the 30-06 is never a mistake, or bad choice, or something like that. If you know what you are doing, a 1895 in 30-06 will do it all. For long range elk, you might want to consider some type of scout scope set up on your model 1895.

[vancelw]

Buy it. Shoot it. When you get bored with it, convert it to .35 Whelen. I did that to mine So I could shoot 250 gr bullets. I may buy another one in '06 if I come across it.

[BenT]

Mine shoots great. I have no problems with it at all and think they have excellent balance. I would give it a go.

[1894]

Some thoughts on the 1895 from a couple of folks here in these links :

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/model_1895.htm

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2 ... rifle.html

[2ndovc]

I've been collecting Winchester '95s for many years. The only one I've had that didn't work had been so abused and
neglected I sold it off for parts.
I have had them in just about every caliber except .303 Brit. ( My Holy Grail) all have been
great shooters.
My first '95 is an SRC in .30-'06, shot my first deer with it and will always be my favorite.
It's had a LOT of use and if I load more than three rounds it won't feed the second shot.
Learned to live with it. The '95s that I have seem to work better with rimmed cartridges.

Browning / Miroku are totally different animals. Every one I've had has fed flawlessly.

jb

[Shasta]

I have a Browning 1895 in .30-40 Krag. I mounted one of those Providence Tool Co. copies of the Lyman 21 receiver sight on it. It is a pleasure to hunt with. I've killed four Blacktail bucks with it, and only needed one shot each time.
I also have the newer Winchester tang safety version in .405. It has stiff recoil and is probably too much gun for deer. A Browning in '06 would have been a better choice.

Shasta

[barbarossa]

I have one of the Miroku Winchester 95 carbines in 30/06 and is one of my favorite hunting guns.Classic all the way

[.45colt]

Thank You ALL, I have several levers that cover all of the "sporting stuff" but no matter where I go I keep seeing '06 ammo cheap. Jim.

[blackhawk44]

My Browning '95 '06 has served for many years. With a change to a tang sight and front blade, I have several game shots from 185 to 235 measured yards. With the sight upgrade and handloads, it will bench well under 3" at 200 yards. Love mine.