Anyone making a Winchester 1886 type rifle in 45-90?

[grilledcheese]

Hi all,
I've been trolling the internet for a couple of days looking for info, but I'm not coming up with much. Is there any manufacturer currently producing a Winchester 1886 model rifle in 45-90? Is any manufacturer producing any similar lever guns in 45-90? My boss is looking for one and asked me to see what I could find---how can I complain? I'm getting paid to look for firearms! Winchester seems to sell Miroku-made examples every few years, but a call to Winchester didn't help much---the customer service rep says they aren't given any info on future manufacturing plans.
Marlin was another strikeout.
Lever guns in 45-70 are fairly common, I know, and ther are several Sharps-type rifles in 45-90, but that's not what the boss is after. He doesn't have any problem with buying good condition used, but I figured I would get what information I could before suggesting it.

Oh well, any info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,


Jeffrey

 

[Float Pilot]

Of course the original 1886 Winchesters were chambered in 45-90 as well as other cartridges. The loads for that were called 45-90 express, since the action length would only go so long....

I know for a fact that Browning / Winchester experimented around with the 45-90 in their modern model 86 rifles. I think they figured it would not be worth while on a marketing basis.
The 45-90 only had an advantage in a lever gun back when black powder was all there was available. With the advent of smokeless powder, even the 45-70 case is really too big..

 

[McCall911]

I wish they would, just to maintain tradition.
With modern loadings of the .45-70, I suppose the rationale is that a chambering in .45-90 isn't "needed." But my question is how much could you step up the .45-90 over the original blackpowder loads, such as what was done with the .45-70?
I'd also like to see an '86 in .50-110, but I'm not holding my breath over that one either.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

If you realy want to try your metal against the 45-90 or 45-120 buy a H&R Handy Rifle and ream out the chamber to which ever you want to try.The Buffalo Classic will be the softer recoiling of the H&R models because of the added barrel length and weight. I shoot the standard Handy in 45-70 with modern loads ,chamber pressures, bullet speeds,and recoil , never dreamed of by the old buffalo hunters.I cringe at the thought of shooting 45-120 loads in one,but there are many who do.

 

[Slamfire]

CDNN has a Winchester M1886 BPCR in 45-90. Its on page 63 of their catalog. It has a badger barrel, those have an excellent reputation.

http://site.cdnninvestments.com/CDNN2010-6/index.html

 

[Jim Watson]

Sorry, Slam, that is an 1885 in .45-90, a single shot, not a repeater.

You will see that even that gun is marked Black Powder Only.

You don't see any guns for heavy modern smokeless loads in .45-90 because it has no SAAMI standards and the manufacturers are not willing to tangle with the liability. Lyman data for the .45-90, etc. is at .45-70 SAAMI pressures.

There have been some gunsmith conversions of repro 1886 .45-70s to .45-90 and if you are good at load development, you can gain some velocity. (Wiki says it has been done on Marlins, with action work to handle the longer cartridge.)
Is the boss a proficient handloader?
That is what it would take to get the most out of a "modern" .45-90.
Published strong action .45-70 loads will beat traditional .45-90.

 

[Slamfire]

Sorry, Slam, that is an 1885 in .45-90, a single shot, not a repeater.

Darn, I guess I need new glasses!

 

[Float Pilot]

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

These guys will re-chamber a Browning or Winchester 86 for you..

 

[GCBurner]

Like so many other things in life, if you want something out of the ordinary, all it takes is a sufficient amount of money.

 

[CraigC]

They have indeed made modern Winchester (Miroku USRA) 1886's in .45-90. If you're a smokeless shooter, you don't really gain much. You can start with heavy .45-70 loads and work them up to match velocity but there is no real advantage. Great for blackpowder though.