Paco Kelly's Leverguns.com

Bearskinner

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Bearskinner

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Bearskinner

Really hard to load pics today!we are the second family to be caretakers of this rifle. It’s a 1876, created in 76, delivered in 2/1877 to a cowboy guiding on the Oregon trail. He wanted one of those new “Big Bore” Centennial Rifles and used it for 3 more years guiding, before settling in Washington...

Bearskinner

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Bearskinner

Bill, Having shot and owning a Very Early 1876, 45/75, built in 76, shipped 1877 I understand your desire. The smooth, but mechanical feel of the toggle linkage, the sleek lines, and overall size. The perfect balance point. This is a 26” Octagon in 45/75, set triggers, an early 3 digit serial number...

Bearskinner

Just to whet your appetite, here’s an original 100% 1876, made in 76, shipped feb 1877, in 45/75. It’s a 3 digit serial number in XLNT condition, 26” Octagon with set trigger. The early version did Not have the brass dust cover. If you need help forming brass I’ve made jugs to cut down brass from 3 ...

Bearskinner

I was shooting a 255 grain PC bullet with 13.5 grains of HS-6 in my little carbine and revolver. The carbine needed a slightly lower front sight, which Andy graciously replaced at the range. I went fiber optic as well, as I can see it MUCH better than the bear buster f sight, even painting it white ...

Bearskinner

Here’s a revolver that shoots them.

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Bearskinner

A couple fine gentlemen there. Glad I was able to converse with them.

Bearskinner

I had a place on the Kenai for over 30 years. I always carried my FA83, 454 ( as a life long handgun hunter) but for home protection I always had a loaded 375 Ruger alaskan at the front door. Never used it, but it was there, mainly for moose. Had a run in with a brown bear chasing two moose calf’s r...

Bearskinner

Your birthday is easy to remember Jim, it’s the same as my wife’s. Happy Burthday

Bearskinner

I got one with two pins, one created a cup point, the other pin created the “Nasty Nose” HP. As I recall one end sized bullets to .223 flip it over to size OD to .224. Fantastic little tool, I have boxes of ready sized HP and cup point cartridges in both configurations. The nasty nose is Extremely e...

Bearskinner

That Skinner rear peep with a gold, white or fiber dot front is just about perfect on a lot of platforms. I used the rear with a white fit on a shortened (16.5”) Ruger no1 in 50-110. Very handy and quick sight acquisition

Bearskinner

While hunting with my FA83 .454, I will always empty the cylinder of the extra rounds, and reload 5 fresh, to fully inspect the unfired rounds. Last thing you need is having a bullet jump it’s crimp, in the middle of a sporty situation!

Bearskinner

There’s something almost magical with a big revolver bullet running around 1350 FPS, they just seem to kill better that what the written word suggests they should. I’ve taken literally about everything on Earth with large revolvers. A little more speed gives you a little more range. If you have ever...

Bearskinner

Beautiful Sunny days here in N Idaho, very little snow on the ground. Teens to 30’s daily. Very mild winter so far. Guess we sent the cold and snow south

Bearskinner

Those 4 in that pic are all 50 Alaskans, including the 12” pistol ( with a huge brake as well) the Winchester and No 1 will take 50-110’s, but realistically a 500 Linebaugh Maximum ( they cycle well in the lever guns) will go thru a Big moose, Bison, or do a Quigley on hogs. I like pistol recoil z l...

Bearskinner

The 1895 Marlin is a Wild West Guns Conversion, and is about identical in thickness to the M71, although the marlin is a 20” barrel. Recoil gets a little sporty with bullets over 500 grains, but as it’s such a large diameter straight wall case, it’s easy to keep the pressures down. The heavy barrele...

Bearskinner

I had a Browning- Winchester Model 71 converted ( rebore of factory barrel) to 50 Alaskan, and cut short and handy to 16.75”. The barrel is fairly thin at the business end. Also had a Ruger no 1 bored out and trimmed as well it has much more meat than needed, but the extra weight is welcome for rec...

Bearskinner

I used my .41 Magnum to take an elk. It worked just fine. The .44 rifle has more than the .41 sixgun. But like anything, bullet placement is key. DSC06668.JPG I used my 41 (revolver) for Elk this last year as well, no problems at all. The added velocity of a rifle will let the bullet carry better a...

Bearskinner

I think casting on a rainy or blustery day, is one of the most relaxing, and satisfying things to do.

Bearskinner

I really like the look and feel of the bark on light kicking guns, I don’t like “texture” on heavy kickers from .454 on up.
That is a pleasant look.

Bearskinner

Thank you, it’s hard to believe I’ve been retired 15 years now! Glad to still be alive and kickin’

Bearskinner

I use 2400 in most of my Hunting Revolver cartridges, and down loaded ammo for pleasant days plinking. I did pick up a Good supply of HS-6 that I will start using for lighter hitting play loads, and save my 2400 for hunting loads.

Bearskinner

I used rear peeps on revolvers for years, but I find a white outline round or square works best for me on a revolver. I just picked up a Skinner rear rail peep for a Ruger No1 project in 50-110. I’m working on the install, but liking it. I can see thru it well, and you can remove the aperture for a ...

Bearskinner

That would be fun to play with, there’s just something Classic about a double rifle.

Bearskinner

I have a set of RCBS .410/40-65 dies that work perfectly making 40-65 from all the odd 45-70’s I had. I picked up a beautiful Browning 1885 BPCR, half octagon, half round barrel. With the weight, even the heavy 420 grain bullets are light on your shoulder. IMG_9035.jpeg IMG_9034.jpeg IMG_9033.jpeg

Bearskinner

I read about the new powerful .454 Casull cartridge in the early 80’s, and picked up one of the first two FA83’s to hit my home state in 1983. It has been my “Go to” Hunting revolver ever since. With a stern dose of 2400 and a 300 grain bullet, the FA, my preferred platform is so incredibly accurate...

Bearskinner

I use a guy here in N Idaho, web sight is : “ Lever gun leather works” he has made me not only odd leather for lever guns, but I’ve had him make me all styles of Sixgun holsters and styles, even the custom African scoped long barreled revolver bandoleer I had envisioned. His name is Chance, but he g...

Bearskinner

Bears are not harder to kill than large bison, or range bulls, but they have ATTITUDE. They kill for a Living, and get good at it. I do not like shooting bears when there looking at you…..sometimes you have NO choice, they usually go where there looking. If there already coming, and looking right at...

Bearskinner

For many years I carried a 454 with 300 grain Sierra Soft Points. They are extremely hard SP bullets, and the most accurate 45 caliber bullet. In a 45, 21.0 grains of 2400, with the Sierra 8830. That and a stouter version in 454 has taken over 200 head of game for me. That’s at revolver velocity, ad...

Bearskinner

I generally classify my handguns as either:
Revolvers, single shots, and pistols. There’s exceptions to everything, but that just about covers it all

Bearskinner

While on the subject of Nickel brass, has any company ever made 50 Alaskan in Nickel?

Bearskinner

In Africa last year, my 2 PH’s used a drone to view my Cape Buffalo after being shot. He stumbled off dragging a front leg, into some of the heaviest brush around. They deployed the drone after a very long wait, as we couldn’t see in to the brush, but by viewing aerial footage, we could see he was d...

Bearskinner

After shooting my family (original 1876, built in 1876) centennial 45/75 in Raton last year, with Trailboss loads, I felt it was pretty anemic. I’m working on a SR4759 load for it. I’m powder coating and gas checking some 350 grain .459’s. I’ll bring it up slowly, as the Rifle is perfect, and after ...

Bearskinner

I used to have a vaquero in the PPP pile, but passed it along due to my eyes and the sights. Not it’s two Blackhawks. A 5 shot 4 3/4 an early build by John, and 5” stainless octagon with aluminum RW bearskinner Bisley grip frame, which is a dandy carry piece. Both balance wonderfully in hand. IMG_22...

Bearskinner

My favorite hunting revolver FA83 in .454. It just kills better that it looks like it should on paper too. I’ve had the confidence to hunt everything on earth with it. So accurate it makes me look like I can shoot well.

Bearskinner

I agree with that, buy it if you can. You never know when it’s all gonna end, and if you leave too much $$$ to your kids, they will just buy stupid sh!+ with it.

Bearskinner

I have wanted one, as I really like the trapper size lever guns, and prefer the pistol grip stock. I went to town to play with one, and the fit and finish appears really nice. Apparently Bass Pro, Cabela’s bought them all up, as they have a bunch of them in stock. Regular sale price $1,199.00, BUT M...

Bearskinner

I had a place on the Kenai Peninsula for almost 40 years, and spent a lot of time star gazing. No pictures or video will come near the shear beauty, and overall heavenly feeling of experiencing the aurora in person. I’ve sat for hours on cold clear evenings watching heavens natural show.

Bearskinner

I will wear a small pair in a chest holder while out stalking in cover, where it’s nice to be able to look into brush and pick up all aspects of an animal. I have had a large set of Zeiss night Owl’s for 30 years. There heavy and not an easy carry, but for long distance clarity, Especially under low...

Bearskinner

First deer I shot, was actually with a Marlin in 30-30. I was a kid and didn’t own a handgun yet. First and only deer with a rifle, all handguns ever since. Here’s my two favorites.

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Bearskinner

I might be wrong, but didn’t Henry come out with a .410 lever action for a while too?

Bearskinner

I have found it’s easier to have a semi log truck delivery about every 3-4 years to deliver extra logs off the landing to my yard. I have a “log Yard” area and a log grapple to handle the chores. Put a saw buck in front of the Wood shed ( about 2 car garage in size) spend a day or two cutting rounds...

Bearskinner

Their advertising worked on me! A couple years ago I was visiting with John, and went by the new BHA facility being built in Cody. Even with equipment piled up, and machinery not up and working yet, I got an enthusiastic Byron, the sales associate setting up an office, who happily took me to a coupl...

Bearskinner

Back in the 80’s I purchased my place in Alaska, on the Kenai. It made for a great way to prepare for fly out and waterway hunts and fishing trips all over the state. Years later once I retired, I had the time and destination, so I made many trips back and forth driving the Alcan. One particular tri...

Bearskinner

I know I can spend hours organizing the bench, and it still looks like nothing got done. A few months back, while recovering from a hernia fix, I spent days building little shelf’s in between large metal shelving, so I could attempt to lay all my tools and supplies out, easy to find and use.

Bearskinner

I can sure see distance easily with this 2.75 Burris scout scope on it! It doesn’t quite look right, but it should help 100 yard groupings. I’ve got a mess of H110 loads (BHA recommendation) and I made up some SR4759 loads

Bearskinner

As I use Single Actions for most things, I prefer shorter Lever guns as well. There’s something just very cool about antiques with long Octagon barrels and full length tubes, but these handy .500+ calibers in carbine length just make me grin.

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Bearskinner

I’ve only fired a few rounds, no bench rest shooting, and I’m thinking of having a scout scope QD set up for precise longer shots. The peep and green fiber optic bead are phenomenal . I cast 400’s ( mainly for the 500JRH’s I hunt with) and a 460 grain LFN GC that should be dandy in a carbine length...

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