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January 13, 2010
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Mike Venturino wrote a book on shooting lever guns of the old west several years ago and I was fortunate to help with a few guns and shooting. I never was a real fan of the 1895, but he got a loaner for the book in 40-72 with the 26 inch tapered octagon barrel. I really likied the look of that rifle and couldn’t get it out of my mind until a few years later I found a really nice one for sale. I bought it and have shot everything from gophers to deer with it and it fills out the spot that was vacant in my lever action gun collection for many years.
It shoots a 380 cast bullet real well and functions smooth and flawlessly. I have so many guns I like and want to shoot, it is hard each fall to take some and leave others, but this one has made it out a few times…
November 7, 2015
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Nice rifle! Enjoyed the book, use it often for a reference. Not really a fan of the 1895 but a couple have followed me home over the past few years and they truly are nice rifles. I don’t see many 1895’s with octagon barrels, interesting chambering as well.
June 11, 2014
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Well I’m a fan of the ’95 in 38-72 and 40-72 and 303 British. Thank, Shrapnel, for posting those photos. You’ve got a nice ’95 there in the most desirable of all ’95 calibers in my own personal, subjective opinion. I have owned a nice 38-72 with tapered octagon barrel and took a Whitetail with it a few years ago. If, however, I had my druthers, I would choose a 40-72 flat side with tapered octagon barrel.
November 27, 2013
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Fantastic looking rifle and even better pictures. I bought Mike Venturino’s book specifically for load data for the 38-72 and 40-72. I’m one of those odd Winchester collectors who concentrates on the 1895 and have several of each in the black powder chamberings. I’ve only shot paper with them and hadn’t really considered hunting with them. After seeing your pictures, I’m thinking I may have to re-evaluate that. I’m especially impressed that you bagged an antelope with one. It takes some real skill to take an antelope with open sights and rather short range cartridge.
