Looking at a High Wall

[Jake C]

Good evening Gentlemen,

I've decided that I'm gonna give hunting a try next year, as the good 'ol state of Kentucky makes it rather affordable, and I have numerous friends and family with plenty of land. However, I've decided that if I do go for it, I want to save up and grab an 1885 High Wall. There's just something really charming about those old single shots, and the High Wall has caught my eye.

I was just curious as to how many other folks on here have used them and what they think, and of course any advice would be much appreciated. 

Cheers,
Trum4n1208

[Blackpowder Burn]

They're a great rifle design.  I have a Browning Highwall built as a BPCR rifle.  Winchester sells them now (made by Miroku) in hunting configurations.  C Sharps in Montana also builds a really nice one.  Pedersoli and Uberti also build nice rifles.

I'm about to buy a nice used C Sharps Highwall from a friend.

[rbertalotto]

Hard to beat this one for $1400

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1417903287

[Blackpowder Burn]

That's a great deal.  I can personally attest to the quality of the Browning rifles of this type.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Hard to beat this one for $1400

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1417903287

That is a beautiful Lo-Wall, relined to .32-40. It would make a very nice light Scheutzen rifle, and would do a bang-up job on whitetail.

I'd avoid any of the high end smokeless loads in a lo-wall.

[Jake C]

That is a beautiful Lo-Wall, relined to .32-40. It would make a very nice light Scheutzen rifle, and would do a bang-up job on whitetail.

I'd avoid any of the high end smokeless loads in a lo-wall.

That is indeed a purty rifle. Would .45-70 be okay as a hunting cartridge for Whitetail? Or a bit too much? I ask only because I'm working on a fairly low budget, and the most affordable of the High Walls is in .45-70.

Also, thanks to everyone for the swift replies! Usually, it takes a couple of days for anything to roll in on my posts.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

That is indeed a purty rifle. Would .45-70 be okay as a hunting cartridge for Whitetail? Or a bit too much? I ask only because I'm working on a fairly low budget, and the most affordable of the High Walls is in .45-70.

Also, thanks to everyone for the swift replies! Usually, it takes a couple of days for anything to roll in on my posts.

There are several ways to go.  The most versatile and with common  components is the .45-70. This would be my unanimous choice if target shooting beyond 300 yards, or metres, is in the cards. If you are after deer, the classic cast bullet is the GOULD Hollow-Point, Lyman # 457122. It is slower and more "fiddley" to cast, but specifically designd and field tested for whitetail deer. The basic bullet for a beginner is the 457193 at 405 grains. Cast on the soft side it will do almost everything in a workman like manner.

http://www.three-peaks.net/bullet_molds.htm

The second recommendation, from me, is the .38-55. If game is light and close, and target games are as well, this is a viable option.

[Bruce W Sims]

I can't add anything to the discussion but have been curious about how folks
conduct the "business side" of these purchases. Seems most folks report that they go to the
supplier and conduct the transaction there. I know that modern firearms have to be
special shipped through dealers. What if I wanted a BP rifle or pistol out in California,
given that I live in Illinois. Can this be sent through a carrier like USPS or FedEx or
does this also have to go between dealers.  Help?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[cpt dan blodgett]

Bruce

Kinda like when Bob Dole was asked Boxers or Briefs -- Depends.

If you are talking an original pre 1898 it is an antique by federal standards and in theory can be mailed directly to any individual so long as that does not violate state law.

The majority of the cartridge guns addressed here are modern reproductions.  They generally have to be shipped to a FFL holder in the state where the buyer lives.  Here things get muddy some FFLs accept shipments from private individuals others require shipment to them by a FFL holder.  An added wrinkle is if the firearm is over 50 years old or is on the Curio and Relic list it can be shipped directly to a C&R license holder.  When in doubt check with a local dealer they should know the local laws.

Muzzle loaders either cap and ball pistols or rifles don't fall under the category of guns at the federal level and should be able to be mailed unless state law where you are or state law where they are being mailed to says they cannot.  Again check with a local dealer.

In the case of "Real" guns as defined by federal law, anyone not prohibited can mail long guns, only FFL holders mail hand guns.

[rbertalotto]

When you hunt with these old "Rainbow" trajectory calibers, you better get close or really know your range estimates. I've hunted the last few years with a 45-70 Sharps and turned down shots that I just didn't feel comfortable due to the distance. I wouldn't have thought twice with my 270 or 257 Roberts.

POINT BLANK RANGE is measured in feet rather than yards with these old, slow bullets.

If you are hunting from a blind it would be easy to laser range various objects and or drive some survey stakes in the ground at various ranges.

These aren't bison we are hunting. Deer don't herd and mill around when one is shot.

The bison hunters of old shot very few deer with their buffalo rifles. If they did, the deer was close or walked into an area that the hunter had ranged.

[wildman1]

The bison hunters of old shot very few deer with their buffalo rifles. If they did, the deer was close or walked into an area that the hunter had ranged.

You are correct. No reason to shoot an animal that weighs 1/10th of what the one you're shooting every day weighs.    wM1

[rbertalotto]

Given an opportunity, they liked a change in their diet. Venison and Pronghorn were a treat.

[Jake C]

When you hunt with these old "Rainbow" trajectory calibers, you better get close or really know your range estimates. I've hunted the last few years with a 45-70 Sharps and turned down shots that I just didn't feel comfortable due to the distance. I wouldn't have thought twice with my 270 or 257 Roberts.

POINT BLANK RANGE is measured in feet rather than yards with these old, slow bullets.

If you are hunting from a blind it would be easy to laser range various objects and or drive some survey stakes in the ground at various ranges.

These aren't bison we are hunting. Deer don't herd and mill around when one is shot.

The bison hunters of old shot very few deer with their buffalo rifles. If they did, the deer was close or walked into an area that the hunter had ranged.

Thanks for the info! I know it'll be challenging, especially for starting out, but for me thats part of the appeal. I like the idea of replacing equipment with skill, and getting a bit more in touch with history. Apparently, deer blinds might be available to me, so that'd be a bit of a help.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

With a ground or tree stand , you can "tape" the ranges you will be shooting. If there are steep angles take account of that. If in doubt, check by firing. Be careful of what is beyond any crests. Better still, avoid shooting towards crests.

I'd better be careful with  my remarks. You will likely know all this

[Jake C]

With a ground or tree stand , you can "tape" the ranges you will be shooting. If there are steep angles take account of that. If in doubt, check by firing. Be careful of what is beyond any crests. Better still, avoid shooting towards crests.

I'd better be careful with  my remarks. You will likely know all this

Nope, I'm a complete amateur with a love of 'Old West' guns, I appreciate any and all advice, so thank you kindly 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

OK So here are a few more things. Hunt or take your stand looking upwind.  If you have hills, get to the top well before daylight and hunt downward as the warming air will drift uphill. If you have control of your territory a "trailcam" will improve your knowledge on where to set up. Learn where they move and when, and find the warm sunny slopes where they bed down during the day.

Better still, find a friend who hunts to mentor you.

[Bruce W Sims]

Bruce

Kinda like when Bob Dole was asked Boxers or Briefs -- Depends.

If you are talking an original pre 1898 it is an antique by federal standards and in theory can be mailed directly to any individual so long as that does not violate state law.

The majority of the cartridge guns addressed here are modern reproductions.  They generally have to be shipped to a FFL holder in the state where the buyer lives.  Here things get muddy some FFLs accept shipments from private individuals others require shipment to them by a FFL holder.  An added wrinkle is if the firearm is over 50 years old or is on the Curio and Relic list it can be shipped directly to a C&R license holder.  When in doubt check with a local dealer they should know the local laws.

Muzzle loaders either cap and ball pistols or rifles don't fall under the category of guns at the federal level and should be able to be mailed unless state law where you are or state law where they are being mailed to says they cannot.  Again check with a local dealer.

In the case of "Real" guns as defined by federal law, anyone not prohibited can mail long guns, only FFL holders mail hand guns.

Many thanks for the great information. I can see now where I was getting balled-up. Very much appreciated.

Best Wishes,

Bruce