Browning 1885 High-Wall help

OPC · February 20, 2007, 12:33 PM

Hoping for some tips on how to proceed with getting this rifle to shoot better than the 2MOA I am currently getting.

Some history.
Browning Model 1885 High-Wall in .45-70; multiple scopes have been tried (Leupold VXIII 1.5-5; VXII 3-9). I had previously shot ~1.5MOA using factory ammo with a couple of 1MOA groups using Buffalo Bore 405gr. Ouch. I have tried some hand-loads (405grain Lazer Cast over 28.5gr IMR4198 & over 24.5 gr IMR4227) with bullets just seating into the rifling. One group at 0.75in with the rest at 2-3MOA. Sigh. Now, I know the barrel is free-floated and the forearm hanger is attached only to the action, but I have noticed a definite change in impact depending on screw tightness on the forearm screws.

So, what to try next? Does anyone have any tips on a recommended forearm torque? COAL preferences relative to the chamber dimensions? That is, is it better to have a gap to the rifling? Any luck with heavier or lighter bullets for the 1:20 twist rate? Primer sensitivities? Any help would be appreciated.

Trapper L · February 20, 2007, 11:06 PM

You might want to try the 300 gr Remington jacketed HPs. I use 38.0 grs IMR 3031 seated to 2.550 COL. It's a fairly mild load but hot enough to hunt. I shoot the same load using the 300 gr Lasercasts as well. I can get mine with open sights to go under MOA fairly easy. I don't think the forearm screw is critical. It hasn't been on mine. Might want to try the lighter bullets. Mine didn't like the 405s of any kind at all and the best I could get out of them was 2.5" groups at 100 yds. You would think these should be tackdrivers but I'm hearing more folks having issues than I expected.

OPC · February 21, 2007, 11:38 AM

300gr bullets, huh? Ok, I will give them a go. Thanks for the tip.

Hmm, 38gr of IMR3031 is less than minimum loads shown in all my manuals. I would never have thought to try it. Do you know what velocities you are getting?

hornet41 · February 24, 2007, 11:56 AM

I shoot the 300 grain Hollow point hornady's in my 1885 45-70. I load them up pretty hot. Angle of deer at 100 yards no problem!!! Will shoot 1 1/2 inches all day long at a hundred! Probably better if I put a scope on it. Have a red dot on it now.
Never shot 405's so don't know how they would do.

Trapper L · February 24, 2007, 02:28 PM

Sorry OPC, I didn't see your response. The load is from an early Lyman book. It is their accuracy load, speed- 1436'ps.

February 20, 2007, 12:33 PM	#1
OPC Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 181	Browning 1885 High-Wall help Hoping for some tips on how to proceed with getting this rifle to shoot better than the 2MOA I am currently getting. Some history. Browning Model 1885 High-Wall in .45-70; multiple scopes have been tried (Leupold VXIII 1.5-5; VXII 3-9). I had previously shot ~1.5MOA using factory ammo with a couple of 1MOA groups using Buffalo Bore 405gr. Ouch. I have tried some hand-loads (405grain Lazer Cast over 28.5gr IMR4198 & over 24.5 gr IMR4227) with bullets just seating into the rifling. One group at 0.75in with the rest at 2-3MOA. Sigh. Now, I know the barrel is free-floated and the forearm hanger is attached only to the action, but I have noticed a definite change in impact depending on screw tightness on the forearm screws. So, what to try next? Does anyone have any tips on a recommended forearm torque? COAL preferences relative to the chamber dimensions? That is, is it better to have a gap to the rifling? Any luck with heavier or lighter bullets for the 1:20 twist rate? Primer sensitivities? Any help would be appreciated. __________________ *José*

February 21, 2007, 11:38 AM	#3
OPC Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 181	300gr bullets, huh? Ok, I will give them a go. Thanks for the tip. Hmm, 38gr of IMR3031 is less than minimum loads shown in all my manuals. I would never have thought to try it. Do you know what velocities you are getting? __________________ *José*

February 20, 2007, 11:06 PM	#2
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	You might want to try the 300 gr Remington jacketed HPs. I use 38.0 grs IMR 3031 seated to 2.550 COL. It's a fairly mild load but hot enough to hunt. I shoot the same load using the 300 gr Lasercasts as well. I can get mine with open sights to go under MOA fairly easy. I don't think the forearm screw is critical. It hasn't been on mine. Might want to try the lighter bullets. Mine didn't like the 405s of any kind at all and the best I could get out of them was 2.5" groups at 100 yds. You would think these should be tackdrivers but I'm hearing more folks having issues than I expected.

February 24, 2007, 11:56 AM	#4
hornet41 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2006 Location: MS Posts: 101	I shoot the 300 grain Hollow point hornady's in my 1885 45-70. I load them up pretty hot. Angle of deer at 100 yards no problem!!! Will shoot 1 1/2 inches all day long at a hundred! Probably better if I put a scope on it. Have a red dot on it now. Never shot 405's so don't know how they would do.

February 24, 2007, 02:28 PM	#5
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	Sorry OPC, I didn't see your response. The load is from an early Lyman book. It is their accuracy load, speed- 1436'ps.