Would this rifle qualify as a CAS rifle?

[Stillwater]

New rifle in town...!

http://bighornarmory.com/

Bill

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Here is what I believe to be the pertinent section of the SASS handbook.

RIFLE REQUIREMENTS
Rifles or carbines used in the main and team matches must be original or replicas of lever
or slide action rifles manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899,
incorporating a tubular magazine and exposed hammer. Rifles with box magazines may not
be used. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of rifle and ammunition to be
used. Please see the shooting categories for further information
RIFLE CALIBERS
• Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber.
• Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited
to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .44
Magnum, and .45 Colt. The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50. No rifle
calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are allowed.

Also, it looks vaguely like an 86, but I can't be sure. Not sure exactly what it is supposed to be a replica of, although there have been exceptions to this rule, like the Henry Big Boy

[Stillwater]

I know that, I was calling attention to a new rifle and caliber...!

ETA:

It has features of the 1886 Winchester and also claimed to have features of the 1892 Winchester... Although I don't know where the 1892 features would be.

Bill

[John Smith]

I always thought the 1892 was just a reduced size 1886 action.

[Trailrider]

IF I was interested in a rifle or carbine that shot .50 S&W, I would suspect that this is more a copy of the Winchester M71.  The difference between it and the '86/'92?  The M1886 Winchester has straight, nearly vertical locking lugs, and the breech bolt face has a recess cut in it for the ejector, which leaves the lower half of the firing pin channel unsupported.  If the ejector should break on an '86, the primer will back out of the cartridge, into the hole left when the ejector did!  The way the original '86 was built, the excaping gas is deflected upward, so "all" you get is a sprinkling above your eyebrows and below your hat brim!  It will get your attention, which is another reason for ALWAYS wearing shooting glasses.  Been there, had it happen on a rebarrelled '86 continuously using some fairly stiff loads of .45-70 ammo, which apparently caused the ejector button to break off its stem.   

The M71, OTOH, has the firing pin channel completely surrounded by metal, and the ejector button is smaller.  The locking lugs have their front surfaces angled slightly, fitting into angled (rather than straight) cuts in the breechblock.  It makes for a slightly tighter lockup than the '86, and was done to accomodate the .348 WCF's higher pressures and backthrust on the bolt.  This came at the expense of slightly less smooth operation. M92's (at least the earlier Rossi versions, which were built on the original tooling), also have the firing pin channel completely surrounded by metal, and the locking lugs are slightly angled.

Without seeing this "Model 89", I can't tell if those are the differences, but I'd bet on it.  BTW, IF FITTED BY A GOOD GUNSMITH, the breechblock and locking lugs from a M71 CAN be installed in a M1886 receiver.  You just need to use the complete set.  Years ago, I acquired two sets from Numrich, and had them installed in the rifle that gave me the trouble, and also in an '86 in .33 WCF.  Fitted by good 'smith's you can hardly tell that you don't have the original breeching parts in the '86...i.e., smooth! 

Can't say if it would be SASS-legal, but the only reason for using a rifle in this caliber would be if you had a pair of pistolas in the same chambering.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

As I said earlier, Main Match rifles cannot be larger than 45 caliber. I believe the 500 S&W Magnum is a true .50 caliber, so it would not be a SASS legal cartridge. If that is all the rifle is chambered for, it is not SASS legal.

[Greeenriver]

No, the rifle is NOT SASS legal, it's only chambered in .500 S&W Mag.  The advertisement I'm looking at right now says it's baised on the 86/92 action, and in between them in size. Slightly larget than a 92 and smaller than an 86. 

At a MSRP of $1889, I don't see one in my life. But it would be a great Black Powder Cartridge rifle!!!!!!!

I would think that this would have a calling as a companion rifle to those who have the S&W .500 mag pistol and hunt in Big Bear country. Should also be a great Moose or Elk gun if close enough.  That big 50cal bullet makes a BIG hole going in, and an even BIGGER hole comming out!!!!!

Dang, I'd sure like to shoot one once with cast bullets and a full case of compressed FFG BP!!!!!!!  At night!!!!!!!!!

Greeenriver

[Modoc]

I talkded with Brandon Iron (Todd Lofgren) of Guns Magazine at our last match.  He has one on order to do a review .  Might get a chance to play with it, but I am not sure.  Does look like it would make one heck of a Pig and bear gun though.  I wonder if it could be punched out to one of the classic 50's