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So I wasn't actively looking, just my occasional window shopping on GB last weekend and found something I've admired since I learned of their existence. A modern production Winchester 1886 Trapper Limited. These were made in 2014 and only 201 of them exist. I found this one on GB and had to have it. It was advertised as LNIB and I'm 99.9% sure it's unfired. Not the slightest Mark on the bolt face or any other sign it's been fired even once. Came in the factory box with all paperwork including a certificate of authenticity to it being part of the Trapper Limited series. This one is #22 of 201.
I weighed it on a scale that is accurate to .1 gram. And after some conversion I was surprised to find that it weighs 8.44lbs empty. I figured the short 16" round barrel would have it in the 7lb range. But, an 1886 is not known for being lightweight. I love it anyway and am extremely happy to own it. It pairs with my 26" Turnbull 1886 Takedown nicely. It would be a ways down the line, but the thought of having Turnbull make this rifle match my other 1886 in finish and checkering is crossing my mind. Not sure if I should or not, I have a lot of time to consider it.
Anyway, here it is.
IMG_20231103_152257548.jpg
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Last edited by RIDERED350r on Fri Nov 03, 2023 6:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RIDERED350r wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 6:58 pm
Thanks neighbor!
Yes, that's part of what I really like about it, the rifle style stocks and crescent buttplate
The last time I shot a 45/70 e
With a metal buttplate I wound up folding up a t shirt to pad my shoulder with after the second round. (Shooting off a bench though)
RIDERED350r wrote: ↑Fri Nov 03, 2023 5:10 pm
So I wasn't actively looking, just my occasional window shopping on GB last weekend and found something I've admired since I learned of their existence. A modern production Winchester 1886 Trapper Limited. These were made in 2014 and only 201 of them exist. I found this one on GB and had to have it. It was advertised as LNIB and I'm 99.9% sure it's unfired. Not the slightest Mark on the bolt face or any other sign it's been fired even once. Came in the factory box with all paperwork including a certificate of authenticity to it being part of the Trapper Limited series. This one is #22 of 201.
I weighed it on a scale that is accurate to .1 gram. And after some conversion I was surprised to find that it weighs 8.44lbs empty. I figured the short 16" round barrel would have it in the 7lb range. But, an 1886 is not known for being lightweight. I love it anyway and am extremely happy to own it. It pairs with my 26" Turnbull 1886 Takedown nicely. 😁 It would be a ways down the line, but the thought of having Turnbull make this rifle match my other 1886 in finish and checkering is crossing my mind. Not sure if I should or not, I have a lot of time to consider it.
Anyway, here it is.
IMG_20231103_152257548.jpg
That is very cool. The perfect skiff gun for hunting the sea shore. :)
I did make it to the range today. And shooting from the bench using sandbags as a front rest I was able to dial in a group of appx 2" at 100yds. I've figured out that a fine ivory front bead paired with a full buckhorn rear with white diamond insert helps me do my part better. I have two other rifles with that sight config and have achieved some groups that would make a scoped bolt rifle owner proud. This Trapper has a brass front bead and a plain rear semi-buckhorn with no white diamond insert. The sights are both fine in terms of size, but I find the brass bead with plain black rear a bit more difficult to do my part with. I think that coupled with the very short sight radius played a role in my not being able to achieve <2" at 100yds. I know this is a short barrel and tight groups at 100yds and beyond is really not what it was designed for. But I think I will swap the sights for a fine white head front and full buckhorn rear with white diamond insert as I think we can do better.
As to the actual shooting. Well, the fireball and concussion was substantial. But the real attention getter was the recoil shooting from the bench. I do understand that crescent buttplates and bench shooting aren't exactly peas and carrots. But this is something I need to do to establish a good base sight in so I soldier through it. It rendered my shoulder pretty tender, but it's a good kind of pain..
What was surprising today is what the chronograph told me. So I also own a Henry H024 45-70. It has a 19.5" barrel and I've run these exact loads through the Henry which is the Hornady 325gr FTX pushed by a near max charge of AA1680 in the level II table from Hornady 11th. The Henry averages right around 2000fps with this load. The 1886 Trapper actually averaged a pinch faster at about 2020fps. I had a hunch that AA1680 would be well suited to shorter barreled 45-70s after seeing how it ran in my Henry. Today's session has me all but convinced of it.
All in all I'm very happy with this '86 Trapper and had a great day at the range. Im going to hunt this rifle as-is for this year and maybe upgrade those sights over the winter.
Last edited by RIDERED350r on Sun Nov 05, 2023 10:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
The short barrel is definitely a hoot to shoot. But fortunately 45-70 is one of those cartridges that one can easily tune his hand loads to his liking.
We walked through some thick stuff on the way to our spot today. The Trapper length rifle makes for a fair bit easier time getting through the thick stuff. Grab it by the grip and muzzle it down along your leg and it comes nowhere near touching the ground
It would be a ways down the line, but the thought of having Turnbull make this rifle match my other 1886 in finish and checkering is crossing my mind. Not sure if I should or not, I have a lot of time to consider it. 
. 