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November 7, 2015
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Spent the weekend at the Dallas Safari Club show, got to talk to outfitters from all over the world. (No, NOT planning a trip. Not this year anyway.) Had some fun with a few of them, told them I’d like to hunt plains game with an old Winchester or two. One actually liked the idea of an 1886 posed with critters in his photo book. Actually don’t know which rifle(s) I’d take, guess that would be part of the fun. Only rifle that comes to mind is my Model 71 but I’ll need several months just to round up enough ammo to get familiar with it. Another is an 1895 with a Lyman receiver sight but I haven’t secured one of those yet.
Anyone taken a collectable Winchester to Africa recently? I won’t be taking a rare or high-condition rifle but it will have to be solid and accurate. I know the chances of it being damaged while hunting are good and the possibility exists that it will be lost or destroyed in transit as well.
In Africa I have taken eland, greater kudu, impala, dyker, reed buck, bushbuck, dikdik, warthog, bushpig, etc, etc, with my “collectable” pre-64 model 70s in 375 h&h and .270. But, I think you are really asking about lever guns?
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
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Hard to beat a pre-64 in 375 but you’re right, I was thinking about a lever gun. I have other rifles that would make more sense but an old lever gun would add something to the experience for me.
Mike,
It would be hard to beat a Model 1895 in 405 WCF…Teddy Roosevelt made that rifle & cartridge famous as a result of his safari to Africa with it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Yes, and as you probably know I’m a TR fan. Since I’ll probably only do plains game an 1895 in 30US may do just as well. OTOH I think he’d approve of the 71.
I’m thinking about the1886 50-100-450 ? Where does that fall with your “ modern “ guns ?
Bill
The .348 or .405 would both be good choices – lots of hunters here in Alaska still kill lots of game with both, including big moose and bears. This photo, posted by Mark Kelso (dimrod) on this forum is of a very nice moose taken by Mark in the fall of 2016. It was taken with a Model 1886 in 45.90 which he is holding. Mark, a WACA member, is a dentist from Nome and has taken about 30 nice moose on the Seward Penninsula over the years, many with various Winchester levers. Burt
November 7, 2015
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Blueliner said
I’m thinking about the1886 50-100-450 ? Where does that fall with your “ modern “ guns ?Bill
Totally different category, Bill. I’m thinking the Big 50 would be adequate 
but wonder if assembling and developing loads might turn into a bit of a chore.
November 7, 2015
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I don’t expect to take anything as big as a moose, Burt. Probably nothing bigger than a eland. Since BP rounds are frowned upon in some countries I’d probably do fine with an 1886 in 45-70.
You could probably take any number of critters over there with a good old 1894. Dont need a cannon to kill lots of animals, just a good aim.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
November 7, 2015
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1892takedown said
You could probably take any number of critters over there with a good old 1894. Dont need a cannon to kill lots of animals, just a good aim.
True. A guy on another forum used a repro Winchester in 45 Colt to do most or all of his kills on a recent trip. Wouldn’t be my choice but it certainly worked well for him.
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