Browning 1895 in 30-40

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Noah Zark
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Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Noah Zark »

Some time ago I sold off a few duplicates and other firearms in which I lost interest (seemed like a good idea to buy them at the time, though) and finally decided to get into the 30-40 cartridge, which was on my "Bucket List."

I found this NIB Browning 1895 in 30-40 being walked around a small firehall show in Western PA and after some brief negotiations took it into protective custody:

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Haven't had much time to develop loads, but using Winchester factory 180s it's about 1.5 MOA off the bench, open sights. This Browning joins my other 1895, an original Winchester in 30-06 from 1907 that was custom-stocked in birdseye maple; some of you may recall photos of that one.

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Pitchy »

Nice, 8) i`ve been talking myself out of buying one in 06 for years, one of these days i`ll add one to my line up. I used to have an original in 30-40 but sold it. :roll:
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Hobie »

I love mine! I was excited to get it to shoot 220s at 2000 fps much more cheaply than one can do so in .303 Brit.
Sincerely,

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Terry Murbach »

THESE BR. '96 RIFLES AND CARBINES ARE ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE FINEST CLONE/REPOS EVER MADE BAR NONE. THEY ALL SHOOT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, HANDLE LIKE A DREAM, AND THE SIGHTS ARE USUALLY DEAD-ON-THE-MONEY.
MINE PUTS 180 AND 220gr BULLETS IN DARN NEAR THE SAME HOLE AND THAT 220 IS A ROCK BUSTIN' SUMBISCUIT.
I HAD THIS RIFLE ALONG WITH ME A FEW YEARS AGO UP IN THE U.P. AT AL'S PLACE AND USED IT TO BUST UP ALL THE BIG ROCKS ON HIS RANGE. INSTEAD OF HIS HAVING TO HAUL 'EM ALL AWAY WE TURNED 'EM ALL INTO LIMESTONE POWDER. IT WAS WONDERFUL FUN !!!
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Old Savage »

Look like great guns - never shot one.
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damienph
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by damienph »

Last year my brother was financially at a point where he could afford to have rifles in two calibers that he has wanted for a long time; 50 Alaskan and 405 Winchester.

Both rifles were Brownings, .348 Model 71 was rebarreled to 50 Alaskan; his 30-40 model 95 was rebarreled to 405 Winchester.

I am not sure about the 71, but the 95 was NIB. His guns but, I would love to have either of them in the original calibers.

I think that the 30-40 krag loaded with 220s would be a real thumper on white tails and muleys.

Oh well.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by 1886 »

I found one recently myself. I was going to ask Hobie to talk me out of it. I just could not bring myself to do it! Congrats on yours. 1886.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by southfork »

Hobie wrote:I love mine! I was excited to get it to shoot 220s at 2000 fps much more cheaply than one can do so in .303 Brit.
Tell me more. I've been wondering about loading 200 + grain bullets in my 1895 303 British.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by marlin shooter »

I have a Browning 1895 in 30-06. A very nice rifle. It's in excellent condition. What a shooter, very accurate. I really wish it was a 30-40. I reload and know the 30-06 will do all the 30-40 will but still wish mine was a 30-40. Anyone wanna trade? :D Very nice looking rifle Noah.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Noah Zark »

Thank you all for the comments!
Hobie wrote: I was excited to get (mine) to shoot 220s at 2000 fps much more cheaply than one can do so in .303 Brit.
Inquiring minds would like to know, Hobie. Details, man, details!

Old Savage wrote:Look like great guns - never shot one.
I was about 47 when I first fired an Winchester 1895. It struck me as unorthodox at the time, but I quickly recognized the benefit of a stacked box magazine -- spire pointed boolits could be used. So I bided my time and finally found the 1895 TD in 30-06, made in 1907, pictured below. No collector value as it had been D&T for both a side mount and a "Climbin' Lyman" rear sight, and reblued to boot. But the blueing was gorgeous and the birdseye maple furniture was tight to the metal on all sides. But that's a different thread . . .

Terry Murbach wrote: THESE BR. '96 RIFLES AND CARBINES ARE ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE FINEST CLONE/REPOS EVER MADE BAR NONE. THEY ALL SHOOT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, HANDLE LIKE A DREAM, AND THE SIGHTS ARE USUALLY DEAD-ON-THE-MONEY.
The sights on this one were dead-on as you say, Terry. I had to bump the elevator one notch but the windage could not have been more "spot-on."
Terry Murbach wrote: THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS DO NOT DROP THE RIFLE DOWN FROM YOUR SHOULDER TO OPERATE THE LEVER OR IT'LL STICK ONE OF THOSE HOT EMPTY CASES RIGHT BETWEEN YOUR EYES. DO NOT ASK ME HOW I KNOW THIS BUT I FOR ONCE AM NOT WHISTLING DIXIE HERE I ASSURE YOU !!
I learned about that the "hot" way from shooting my 1907 1895 TD in 30-06, and I appreciate the reminder. Here's the teacher that doth learned me the lesson:

Image


I passed up a number of Winchester/Miroku repros in 30-40 in favor of the Browning because the Winchester versions that crossed my path generally had tang safeties and checkering. I'm not a fan of checkering but will tolerate it if necessary. If I can avoid it, I will. That said, when the above-pictured 1907 TD with its professionally-done restocking in birdseye maple reached out and dope-slapped me, I made an exception. But as I said above, that's a different thread.

Thank you all again,

Noah
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Very cool! 8) Congrats Noah!
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Sixgun »

Noah,
Wait 'till you see what that baby does at 600 yards with the Lyman 220 gr. cast gas check bullet at 1600. This was the velocity the bullets was designed for. You would think that you were shooting a scoped rifle.

I have 2 originals in that caliber and I must say, they are beginning to gather dust as the challenge has worn off, kind of like bolt guns with scopes. :D -----------Sixgun
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by t.r. »

My Grandad (1889 - 1973) hunted often with his 95 Winchester in 30-40. It had a wicked crescent butt plate that wasn't too terrible if you were wearing heavy winter clothes. But in a T shirt, the recoil effect was quite unpleasant.

I noticed that 220 grain bullets are absent from current factory ammo. But this is the only ammo that Grandad stocked in his rifle cabinet. It was deadly, too!

I'm glad that you discovered this rare treasure. Please plan to share photos of hunting kills in season(s) to come.

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by stew71 »

Mine loves Sierra 165gr Gamekings. Pure death to any piggy in the area. Haven't taken a deer with it yet, however.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

This thread was worth reading just to see something from Terry again.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Larkbill »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:25 pm This thread was worth reading just to see something from Terry again.
Haha. I was thinking that too. Miss him.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by crs »

Good post on the 1895 WCF, BUT , no one mentioned shooting the 1895 in .405 WCF! So I will!

After shooting a new 1895 in .405 for a friend at the range, I had to have one. So I bought a deluxe for the safe and this nice, but not fancy one to shoot and hunt.
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It has shot Hornady factory 300 grain factory ammo at 2250 fps and my handloads with bullets from 210 grains to 400 grains and killed a variety of critters from deer to Cape Buffalo. I like the rifle and cartridge so well that I picked up a Simson & Company double rifle in in .405 WCF that puts a R&L into less than one inch at 50 yards - both fun and deadly to shoot!
Image

I even loaned it to 86er when his client upgraded his hunt from a fallow deer with a .30-06 to this big beast- he needed a REAL backup rifle:
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It is a long , fun story when 86er tells it, but, to summarize, the .405 was needed and did do the job.

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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I've always been fascinated with the .405 Winchester after reading about it as a child.

Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by barbarossa »

I have this miroku 95 src carbine in 30/06 and love the gun.There is an original 95 carbine in 303 Brit locally in about 95% condition that I would love to have but if I paid the $5000 asking price I d be divorced and living in my truck.Though I would have the 95 to keep me company😁

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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I really want a 95 SRC in .30-40.

I have a standard Browning 95 in .30-40 on the way so I am getting ready. That carbine just looks like a good match for my way of using a rifle.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

The rifle has arrived. Now I need a reciever sight and I am set.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by CowboyTutt »

Fine looking gun Scott! I've flirted with getting a 1895 in 405 and throating it like CRS did. I have a project in the works that should do even better ballistically on a Model '88 Win. I'm also working on a heavy weight bullet for my 303 Brit Savage Enfield that will be 1.5 inches long and weigh about 245 grains I estimate. What is the twist on the Krag 1895? Congrats, looks like a very elegant rifle, I have always admired them! -Tutt
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Shasta »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 4:26 pm The rifle has arrived. Now I need a reciever sight and I am set.
You can't go wrong with a Providence Tool Company copy of the Lyman 21 receiver sight. It is a steel copy that is exact to the original and is available through Buffalo Arms Co. I do a drill-tap-thread on their fixed aperture hole and install a Merit adjustable aperture for target work. For hunting I remove the threaded insert. A great bargain for the money!

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Sixgun »

CowboyTutt wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 6:33 pm Fine looking gun Scott! I've flirted with getting a 1895 in 405 and throating it like CRS did. I have a project in the works that should do even better ballistically on a Model '88 Win. I'm also working on a heavy weight bullet for my 303 Brit Savage Enfield that will be 1.5 inches long and weigh about 245 grains I estimate. What is the twist on the Krag 1895? Congrats, looks like a very elegant rifle, I have always admired them! -Tutt
Tutt,
While not positive I'd bet the farm that the new Brownings are the same twist as the originals.....1-10......I've regularly shot the 220 Lyman at reduced velocities.....1100-1800....and never had a stabilization issue so your 245 job will most likely be OK. 245! I bet that baby will have some penetration to brag about......

The 220 Lyman was designed for the Krag to be used at 1600 and I've done some wonderful work with it at our 500 meters range. Also have some old Hensley & Gibbs mounds and a Cramer mould (2 GREATS from the 40's-50's) that are long and heavy like the 220 Lyman...-----006
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Shasta wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 8:55 pm You can't go wrong with a Providence Tool Company copy of the Lyman 21 receiver sight. It is a steel copy that is exact to the original and is available through Buffalo Arms Co. I do a drill-tap-thread on their fixed aperture hole and install a Merit adjustable aperture for target work. For hunting I remove the threaded insert. A great bargain for the money!

Shasta
Its either that one or I find an old steel Lyman. Either way, I'll need to drill and tap the reciever.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by CowboyTutt »

I see that it is a 308 diameter bullet and probably with a 1:10 twist. Lots of options out there! Hawk offers a 220 and 250 grain bullet that would probably work in that animal.

Excited by the possibilities, especially for Scott! Thank you Six!

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Old Savage »

Always thought the 405 in the 1895 to be a special combo.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Eager to hear results when you get her to the range, Scott.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Griff »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:25 pmThis thread was worth reading just to see something from Terry again.
+1!
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Might be a while before I get back to the range. Miss Kathy is going to need a lot of attention for a while.

But, there's no hurry.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Ray Newman »

Scott: hope your wife continues to do better.

Good score on the Browning! Hope you enjoy rifle and the calibre. I think that the .30-40, like the .38-40, is an underappreciated caliber. About 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to purchase a new-in-the-box Browning 1895 .30-40 for US$595.00, but I did not hear opportunity knocking. Would enjoy hearing how it shoots.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Thank you,

This one appears to be unfired. I did test it to see if I could remember how to load the magazine and it feeds very smoothly.
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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by CowboyTutt »

Scott, thanks for being here despite Ms. Kathy's health problems. We all wish the best for her and you. Prayers sent again, the rest can wait. Working on some major family problems myself as Mic knows. This place is a cathartic and I appreciate the distractions while I do what must be done to make it all better.

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Re: Browning 1895 in 30-40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

CowboyTutt wrote: Sun May 30, 2021 7:22 pm Scott, thanks for being here despite Ms. Kathy's health problems. We all wish the best for her and you. Prayers sent again, the rest can wait.

-Tutt
I've been sitting here by her bed for the past few days, even when she did not know where she was and perhaps did not know who I was. Lots of time for prayer but little else.

Its been a lot harder on her than me though. I cannot imagine what she has been through.

Today, she is speaking again. Yesterday she refused to say a word to most people. Today, complete sentences. She is pretty weepy and she really wants to go home. But I think it will probably take a couple of more days to get this fully straightened out.
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