Winchester 1886 vs. Sharps 1874 accuracy

I own both. I can assure you that there is no contest. The Sharps will shoot circles around the 1886. At 100 yds you won't see a lot of difference but there is a difference. Beyond that distance the difference in accuracy really becomes obvious. My 1886 has been shooting five shot groups of developed handloads into 1.3-1.5" groups. That's with target sights and/or a red dot sight on the gun.Again, that's five shots, not three. My Sharps will routinely shoot 1moa five shot groups at 100yds with target sights. It will also shoot 2-2.5" groups at 200yds. At that distance, the 1886 gets left in the dust so to speak. There are shooters using the Sharps rifles and getting six inch groups at 500 yds in long range competition! That's with target (iron) sights. The lever gun suffers from a couple of things that are a deterant to great accuracy. The barrel band, light barrel (big hole, thin wall), foream mounting system, and a few other things. They just weren't designed for that type of shooting. All this being said, I probably like my 1886 better for a hunting gun. It weighs 6.5lbs vs. the 10.5-13.0lbs my different Sharps weigh. I plan on keeping one of each. Actually, I think my second favorite is my 1885 High Wall. Single shot, unbelievably accurate, and only weighs 8.5lbs. Wow, hard to decide which I like best.
 
I had an ASM 1874 Sharps carbine which wasn't very accurate, and my 1886 extra-light is certainly better than that was. I consider that the 1886 compares favorably with other leverguns, and makes a dandy hunting rifle, more like a .30-30 on steroids.
 
Given the limitations of the 1886, would a gain in accuracy be possible with the addition of a creedmore type sight or would the inherent limitations of the gun negate any benefit of such a sight?
 
Given the limitations of the 1886, would a gain in accuracy be possible with the addition of a creedmore type sight or would the inherent limitations of the gun negate any benefit of such a sight?
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Target sights on the gun will wring out the most accuracy you can get out of the gun and will allow you to shoot is somewhat more accurately. However, at the end of the day it's still a lever gun and will not compete with a single shot Sharps or High Wall. Everything being equal in quality, specs, etc, the lever gun won't keep up. However, shooting sub 2moa at 100yds with a lever gun is still good shooting and will do anything you'll ever want it to do for hunting. As posted above, it's a 30-30 on massive steroids. Same cartridge as the single shots but it's still apples vs. oranges. Just not the same kind of gun, so you get different results.
 
Like NoSecondBest I have both. A Browning 1886 carbine and a couple of very nice sharps rifles. They all shoot great at the shorter distances but the further out you go the sharps rifles start walking away from the 1886. I, too, like them both. I prefer the 1886 if you have to carry it much as in a hunting situation, however I have a sharps saddle rifle I have taken hogs and other game with that I enjoy hunting with. It still is about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds heaver than the 1886 and is not a gun I would care to have to lug around all day every day in the woods. I also would not care one bit about shooting a 500gr. bullet out of my 1886 carbine, but don't mind it at all from the sharps.
 
I'm not an 1886 authority.I did a little research on one 1886 45-90 rifle.

Unless its a nickel steel barrel,the steel is very soft.No jacketed bullets,and even very hard cast alloys are not recommended.The rifling suffers.

In the case of the 45-90,Win brought it out as an express rifle,meaning the priority was high velocity(for the time) and light bullets.The Win load for 45-90 was a 300 gr bullet.The barrel was twisted for light bullets.

While the Sharps used the same case,It was designed around heavier bullets and so had a faster twist.

Perhaps none of this applies to your cartridge of choice,but I suggest research before you lay your money down.
 
I'm not an 1886 authority.I did a little research on one 1886 45-90 rifle.

Unless its a nickel steel barrel,the steel is very soft.No jacketed bullets,and even very hard cast alloys are not recommended.The rifling suffers.

In the case of the 45-90,Win brought it out as an express rifle,meaning the priority was high velocity(for the time) and light bullets.The Win load for 45-90 was a 300 gr bullet.The barrel was twisted for light bullets.

While the Sharps used the same case,It was designed around heavier bullets and so had a faster twist.

Perhaps none of this applies to your cartridge of choice,but I suggest research before you lay your money down.
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I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, the OP was referring to a Winchester/Miruko or Browning/Miruko Winchester 1886. Both are modern guns made of the highest quality steel. That assumption was made based on the fact that they didn't indicate that it was a collector gun or give a year of manufacturer. If the gun they were asking about is a "modern" Winchester 1886, it is safe to use any jacketed bullets and reloading data listed in any of the manuals for 1886 or Marlin lever gun loads. The OP needs to take this into consideration if they already have the gun or are considering purchasing one. The "newer" Win/Miruko 1886 rifles are a very strong action.
 
Nosecondbest- I did purposely leave it up for interpretation, but since I stated that identical ammo would be used I don't think the jacketed vs non jacketed applies in terms of this. I will say my main interest is in modern reproductions. I do not own either gun and if I do get one there is a 90% chance it will be an 1886 as I have a condition called a benign essential tremor (my hands shake) so I can't foresee being capable of using any long range rifle accurately. I do love both designs though, and was courious on how they would compare with all else being equal. Thanks.
 
I don't have a Sharps, but I do have a period Winchester Single Shot and a modern Browning "1885" and I used to have a period 1886 Winchester.
The 86 was fine for CAS side matches, but it was not as accurate as the single shots.
 
BigMike, a friend of mine has the same condition you have. He shot silhouette for quite a few years and although the condition affected his standing/offhand shooting, he shot rather well in the creedmore position (supporting the gun with a rest...his leg). I think you could shoot either gun well enough for target shooting off a rest, but it comes down to what you plan on using the gun for. If it were me, and I wanted to shoot informal targets, I'd take a good look at an 1885 High Wall. It weighs a little more than the 1886 since it's a single shot with a heavier barrel. It will shoot tighter groups, absorb a little more recoil, and still be light enough to carry around to hunt with. The Win 1886 is a pretty unpleasant gun to shoot with about any load. I've been loading mine down quite a bit and it's still a beast to shoot. I ended up putting a Limbsaver slip on recoil pad on it for load development. I might go to a fitted pad based on how much it helps. Even with it on the gun, the stouter loads are pretty abusive. My High Wall is way, way kinder on the shoulder and shoots very well. It's still a few pounds lighter than the Sharps and has the appearance of an old time "Buffalo Gun" (even thought most of the buffalo were gone before it came into existence). Just be aware that the 1886 will punish you with anything other than the very lightest loads you put into it. Believe me, I've shot them all. If you don't plan on carrying the gun hunting, go with either single shot...the Sharps or a High Wall. Good luck and have fun.
 
BigMike, I posted this on another tread but you might also be interested. Pedersoli makes a very nice 71/1886 that comes with a recoil pad already installed. I believe they are sold through Cabelas and probably other folks also. Here is a video of the rifle being demonstrated. I have not personally handled one so I don't know how it compares to the Miroku rifles, but most everything I have seen or shot made by Pedersoli has been top shelf.

http://youtu.be/K30Nzz-pxC4
 
BigMike, I posted this on another tread but you might also be interested. Pedersoli makes a very nice 71/1886 that comes with a recoil pad already installed. I believe they are sold through Cabelas and probably other folks also. Here is a video of the rifle being demonstrated. I have not personally handled one so I don't know how it compares to the Miroku rifles, but most everything I have seen or shot made by Pedersoli has been top shelf.
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First off, let me say I think Pedersoli makes very good guns. I've owned several and they shoot superb. Saying that, I purchased not one, but two Pedersoli 71/86 rifles and sent both of them back for being defective. After the second one, I purchased the Winchester/Miruko. The Win/Mir was A+ right out of the box and shoots great. I don't want to get on here and bash Pedersoli, but if anyone wants to know the particulars about what's wrong with their lever gun send a PM and I'd be glad to share what the problem was with both of the ones I had. I would not recommend this gun to anyone until the problem is corrected.
 
NoSecondBest - Can I assume you would reccomend looking into the Miroku 1885 as well? Are there any other companies that make a quality 1885?

Strait Shot - I've looked at the Perdersoli 71/1886 and don't really like the look. If I went for an 1886 I would go all out for a turnbull 1886...although the price is so high and the finish is so nice I might not want to ever shoot it
 
NoSecondBest - Can I assume you would reccomend looking into the Miroku 1885 as well? Are there any other companies that make a quality 1885?

Strait Shot - I've looked at the Perdersoli 71/1886 and don't really like the look. If I went for an 1886 I would go all out for a turnbull 1886...although the price is so high and the finish is so nice I might not want to ever shoot it
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I have a Miruko/Win 1885 and they are pretty easy to find new and at a good price. Not cheap, but worth the money. I had a Pedersoli 1885 but the problem for me was it didn't have provisions built in for adding a scope. (Receiver not made for it and it's not drilled and tapped). It shot as well as my Pedersoli Sharps but old age is keeping me from shooting either anymore. I need some type of glass or red dot. The Miruko 1885 has a 3lb trigger from the factory and this can be easily taken down to 1.5lbs by Lee Shaver for around thirty five bucks. For me, it's good at 3lbs. I have several loads that consistantly shoot 1MOA out of this gun and I'm very satisfied with that. FYI, Turnbull uses the Miruko Win 1886 to build their fine guns. The supply is drying up and they are looking at other sources/makes to use. They considered the Pedersoli but choose not to use it for the same reason I sent both of mine back. They found the same problem. They will take any gun you have and do the work on it for a fee. A little expensive but worth the money. They're pretty close to where I live.
 
I am surprised to here about the Pedersoli 71/1886 having problems. As I stated I have never had the opportunity to see how they stack up to the Miroku rifles which I know from experience are excellent rifles. I have owned three of them. one rifle and two carbines. I know Chiappa Firearms also makes a 1886 but I have not had any experience with it either. I have heard their action is somewhat stiffer/rougher than the Miroku rifles. Miroku is making a new 1886 short rifle, 20" barrel, for Winchester. I have seen and held one and like it a lot. In fact I have tossed around the idea of trying to get one but I have other priorities at present.
 
I own an 1886 Deluxe in .33 WCF, a nice old rifle, very accurate. Its a fine hunting rifle, however up against a Sharps????. I can answer the OP's question with another question.
What did the Buffalo Hunter's use back in the day? There is your answer. ;)
 
By the time the 1886 was available, you might have had a hard time finding five buffalo in one place. Sharps folded in 1881, at least partly because some of their best customers were gone.
 
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