Shooting the Pedersoli 1886

The first trip to the range with an out-of-the-box Pedersoli 1886 Winchester clone. Today's 45-70 in a round capable of handling most North American big game. There some work to be done with this particular rifle, but the potential is evident.

[@Tom-ki3lq]

I am glad you are posting again. Thanks Doc

[@buellosaurusrex4046]

This is great, Doc! I recently bought the Winchester (Miroku) Custom version and am in the process of building a smokeless load for it, to be tested at the range shortly. I'll let you know how it works out. I'm certainly impressed with your out-of-box performance!

[@djordjedjordjevic4390]

Sir, Thank you for this video and all the useful information in it. This is one beautiful rifle. I think that Pedersoli/Uberti makes the preatiest ones, especially model 1886. Would you be so kind as to make a video in the future, detailing the aesthetic features of a beautiful rifle as well, from muzzle to the but stock, especially color case hardening of reciever? Just for fans of this beautiful rifle. Thank you in advance.

[@johnnyholland8765]

Repeated use of a lead sled with heavy recoiling rifles will result in a split or busted stock at the tang areas. If recoil is a problem get yourself a slip on pad. I have hardly ever shot an out of the box rifle and got optimum accuracy. You are going to have to load for it to make it shoot. With any lever gun the forend and barrel clamps can be pressure points that will make accuracy suffer. I had a 336 Marlin 30-30 you couldn't hit a barn with. Took the forend off and shot naked barrel and got inch and a half groups at 100 yards. Replaced the forearm and groups opened up substantially. Went back and slightly opened the barrel channel in the forearm with a wood dowel and sand paper and removed a small amount from the inside of the barrel clamp and the gun would again group. Lever guns are finicky because of this so don't give up on yours. It may need a little smithing to shoot well and some good reloads...

[@TheHappy2cu]

Doc try some 405 grain bullets at about 1300 feet per second. That load I am sure you know would be close to a black powder load. A friend of mine has one of the Pedersoli 1886s. He is a big fan of the 350 grain bullets. Not sure what powder or charge he is using. Great video. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@TheHappy2cu Thanks for the comments. I've got a lot of experimenting to do and will take this into consideration. Todd

[@Dusty_Tucker]

Cant wait to see what hand loads do for that rifle! in most cases for me at least they are more accurate ! thanks for the video keep em rollin

[@Gunner-73]

My 1886, likes 405 grain bullets. You gun shoots just fine. It is your sight picture that is off. Put your front sight in the bottom of the "V" of the rear sight. Where you can just barely see the top of the front sight. Aim at the bottom of the black. If you drift the sight, that would put that second load right on target. But still try the 405 grain bullets. Thats a great first day. Checkered stock and fore arm with pistol grip is what Winchester called a deluxe, the checkering and case coloring was extra. Its a beautiful rifle. I use to have a Quigley Gun, by Pedersoli. 1874 Sharps, 34 inch Octagonal barrel, gold inlay buffalo on it and bear on the other side, in 45-120. It was not pleasant to shoot.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Very good results from a new rifle out of the box! My original 1886 in 50/110 only takes the 350 grn bullet, but I am sure the heavier bullets give better results as you found here, shooting this off the bench is not the best way to go, you would be much better shooting off standing sticks, more control and less painful, I am sure when you try your handloads those groups will tighten up, it is, after all, a new barrel. Stay safe! Chris B.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

That is a beautiful Rifle and a heavy hitter.......Thank you Doc. Old F-4 Phantom pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@jermedic]

I have the same rifle with the straight stock. Mine is most accurate with a 405gr bullet that I cast sized to .459 and 65gr of 3F black powder. Same bullet with 70gr 2F is just slightly less accurate, but not by much. Hoping to soon get a tang mounted peep sight which tend to help with accuracy on other rifles I have.

[@garyhammond2213]

I have a couple of new Winchesters, and I like them. However, the Pedersoli may be prettier. Fantastic job on the case colors.

[@nidavellirforgeandgun9369]

I happen to be in the Tuscan area. I just picked up a 1887 shotgun, rolling block 45-70 and a narinco 1897 trench gun. Be neat to link up so you could do a video with them.

[@dieselten01]

Nice rifle. I have one too. I put a MVA tang site on it. They have a remake of the old Marbles sporting tang sight. WY better than current Marbles and better than the original Marbles. Cut groups in half. I like to hold at 6:00 with a gold bead on a black bullseye. I get less vertical stringing. My favorite factory load is Federal blue box Powershock 300 grain

[@hxccomms777]

Might I suggest going to cross sticks and a stool opposed to the bench and lead sled. If the sagebrush longshots can hit 1000yrd open sights it should be more than accurate enough at 100.

[@soylentgreen7074]

Surprised at the results. I had the deluxe version of one of these just like yours from cimarron. I put a beech style front sight and rear pop up tang from mva and it shot great out to 300 yards. After that it opened up with the 405gr round rnfp. 2f black powder. They were in black at 300 on a military competition target but not as accurate as my sharps or 1885 with different bullet designs. I think these being repeaters and having to have the flat nose really limits their accuracy and range. Just gotta find that happy medium. You would think they would shoot well with available factory loads as that is what is available. Most manufacturers test with them. I sold my pedersoli to fund a shiloh. That’s why I don’t have it anymore. I got into black powder competition shooting silhouette and long range. I hope you get it shooting well. Thanks for the video.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@@soylentgreen7074 I really like your front sight idea. I have one setting idle off another gun and looking for a job. Stay tuned this winter. Additionally, the 430 grain +P rounds scared me. The cases showed some stress. I think I'll load my own 405s and work with those. Thanks for continuing to watch the channel, Todd

[@soylentgreen7074]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 Also, I just remembered about the walker bullets. The mould maker retired and is having health issues. I called a couple times last being back in April I think it was and his daughter answered the phone. Sounds like he is done mould making. Mike Hubbs of era’s gone also sent me scans of original walker bullet so even more accurate of a design. But I am still on the hunt for a mould maker that ‘cherry’ cuts moulds that can make one. Accurate was a no, lee was a no go, and like I said unfortunately this gentleman seems to have retired and aged out. If I ever them made you and Mike will be the first to know.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@@soylentgreen7074 Thank you

[@thomasbaxter4456]

Respectfully, Why not a 6 o clock hold on your target if you’re sights disappear in the black bull. Always interested in watching your channel. Thanks

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

My pedersoli sharp shoots point of Aim wicked accurate

[@TXGRunner]

I'd like to see a comparison between the current sights and some reasonably authentic tang peep sight just to quantify how much of a difference the sights make.

[@jamesgunter9100]

I've got the same model, but mine's stamped Uberti. Looks exactly like the ones Pedersoli makes.

[@user-oz1fd1hz9d]

Completely different companies though.

[@bobpatty2937]

I own an original Browning 1886 saddle ring carbine. It’s my favorite rifle.

[@Wblair8772]

Pedersoli makes nice barrels and your examination of the barrel seems to confirm you have a good one. I suspect the vertical stringing is due to the front sight shape or perhaps pressure somewhere on the barrel. I know you shoot a Browning ‘86 rifle; what sight type is on it and how does it group for you? I’m mid fifties now and find a fibre front sight combined with a rear peep to be amazing for my eyes the past few years. Not as sharp as what a front post used to be but they provide the best hunting accuracy for my eyes now.

[@Gunsmith-4570]

This is off topic, but I would like to know where your book can be purchased? I have seen it referenced and tried at your old University, but the purchase page doesn't work. Thank you. I am so glad you are making videos again.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@@Gunsmith-4570 store.msuextension.org/Products/4-H-Shooting-Sports-Western-Heritage-Project-5323__5323.aspx Try this link at Montana State University Extension. Proceeds benefit the 4-H Shooting Sports project. Thanks for asking, Todd

[@Gunsmith-4570]

Thank you for your assistance, your link worked perfectly. I look forward to being able to have another source for authentic information on things western.

[@ThomasWBaldwin]

sweet!

[@ronrobertson59]

I had an 1876 in 45-60 I couldn't get it to group no matter how many bullets I tried a loads. I was disappointed and sold it at a loss. I told the guy who bought it the problem I had. He had the same issues as me.

[@stevedickhaut7607]

Was it a Chaperral by any chance? I bought one 10 or so years ago brand new and got 100 Jamison brass cases from Buffalo Arms for it. .45-60 as well. Never shot it to this day! Some day.

[@soylentgreen7074]

I’m commenting before you shoot but wow I bet that 430gr at 1800fps+ will sting.

[@sasquatch885]

How’s life in Tucson?🤔

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@sasquatch885 Sweating until my drawers are damp. But fall is about here and it's cooling off into the 90s. I will enjoy this winter and don't miss the below zero temps. Thanks for asking, Todd

[@jpframe1741]

In principle, the Pedersoli barrels like the Hornady Lever Evolution.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@jpframe1741 Thanks JP, I've never tried those. I probably should. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@jpframe1741]

👍 LE 325 gr better I think 👋

[@peteralexben]

If you slug a barrel from the front .and you get te same or more resistance .it suggest that the barrel is wider at the muzzle end .slugging is best done from the chamberside .and then more thighter to the front

[@TXGRunner]

Was it just at an awkward angle or was the action stiff or gritty? My own experience with Pedersoli is I grossly overpaid for aesthetics, but QC was just absent with loose dovetails (one literally fell out of $1200 C&B revolver) and other minor flaws. I didn't see burrs on action surfaces, so that's an improvement over Pietta or Uberti.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'd wager a quality rear peep sight with a fine fiber front sight would pull those groups in tighter, before resorting to some kind of optic. Semi-buckhorn sights with a bead just don't contribute to precision.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@@exothermal.sprocket There is no doubt that better sights would improve things. Thanks for commenting, Todd

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 You're welcome! I'm sure you might be familiar with Buffalo Arms Co and the options they have for metal sight systems.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Those dont kick try my 4590 400 grain at 2350 fps

[@hazcat640]

Not impressed. Especially knowing the price of a Pedersoli.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@hazcat640 I was disappointed, too. But I think I can do better with a little work and practice. I'm a little rusty. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@hazcat640]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 I'm not convinced it was all you, Todd. I think it should do better with 'off the shelf' ammo. Yeah, you had one called 'oops' but the rest looked well placed yet he groups weren't that good. Not on you IMO. Any decent hunting rifle should hold around 3 inch groups. I'm sure you know modern machining makes the vast majority of guns way more accurate than most shooters are capable of.