What was the largest caliber in the old lever action?I think they made a 12/750..Can you help me..

.450 Marlin I believe.

Model 1887 made in 10 gauge.

big al1,
Discounting shotguns and possible custom made mod 21 double rifles, I think the answer is the .500 express available in the mod 1886; although the mod 1885 High Wall might have been available in one of the Sharps 50 calibers.
Mike

Win 1886 and 50-110 cartridge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50-110_Winchester

Mike

p.s. what I would REALLY like is a Winchester 71 in
factory 45-70 cartridge

I think there are companies that will build a Model 71 in .45 calibers.

From Cartridges of the World, 4th Edition --



For the Winchester Model 1886, the largest cartridge was the .50 caliber. There were two variations of it, the .50 Express (aka .50-110-300) and the .50-100-450. While these were different loadings in the same case, the rifles were different with different rates of twist.

Well, I have a 1901 shotgun in 10 guage, and an 1885 single in .577, lettered, and all by Winchester!!

I believe Winchester made a few 20 gauge 1885. I'd have to check Campbell to be sure.

Skeetx, why a .45-70 in a 71 over an 86?

VERY few made, WAY high on collector value

Artic, please tell more on the 1885 High Wall in 577 Eley

https://winchestercollector.org/models/model-1885/

Mike

Not much to say, #3 30" bbl, Sept. 12, 1887, .577 EX., British proofed. Only one known.

Photo is shown in British Single Shot Rifles, #3,page 14, by Wal Winfer.

It's one of my rare'est singles, .... Anything else?

.70-150 Winchester 3000 - 3380 fp muzzle energy. "The recoil would be murder." These are high 30-06/35 Whelen numbers. Since when is 30-06/35 Whelen recoil murder? Last few sentences were rewritten in the 7th edition.

DDA

I have a Winchester 1901 10 ga lever gun. been loading sheels for duck and goose hunt at Cold Bay this fall. and since bears are all around there, loaded up buckshot and .735 round ball loads too.

i'll take a stab...86's are big and very heavy...71's are only heavy.

they actually made a few...serial# 3 of the model 71s was sold at a major auction house some years back, with documentation, it was a 45/70. [ think it was made for a Winchester production supervisor ] and for the first six months or so of 71 production you could also order one in 33 Winchester. I saw one of those for sale once, and though it was rebarreled….wrong ! I should have bought it.

I was under the impression the Model 71 was a Model 1886 made out of Modern steels and fitted with a better (more modern) designed stock.

I have a M71 - .348 Win. and I can tell you that they put deer down fast. The hunting ergonomics are excellent and they come up and on like a fine shotgun.

yes, the model 71 is basically a slightly updated 1886. minor change in the locking bolts, [ experts say it was not actually an improvement ] and any one who wanted could have ordered an 1886 all along in the same configuration as the 71, or for that matter in most any configuration you wanted - - weight, barrel weight, barrel length, stock, magazine etc there are amazing variations in the 1886s