Hi,

There are a few references in internet articles mentioning that the .25-35 was a popular Winchester 1885 chambering, but I think I've only ever seen 2 of them.   

Was this really a popular chambering? 

I've started to develop this idea that I would like a round barreled 1885 chambered for an early smokeless cartridge...   

thanks,

Chris.

I really enjoy my Martini Cadet in 25-35, so much so that I am building myself another. This one is on a 1885 Miroku and in the Ackley Improved version. Having the rifle and recently being gifted a Krieger 25 caliber 1-10 twist barrel I thought it was a good candidate. I don't plan on using the extra powder capacity to run up the velocity as my standard 25-35 seems capable of taking everything I hunt without a problem. The Ackley Improved cases have some advantages and look so nifty. Having had a set of 25-35 AI dies for several years and recently trading into another 100 25-35 cases it just seemed like a logical project. If things go as planned I will be fire forming cases next weekend.

I also think the .30-40 Krag or the .219 Zipper would be cool.  If I pick one up I'd want it to have an original barrel and stock.  I spent too long pondering a nice deal on a .30-40 recently and it sold before I decided.  Recently a .25-35 has popped up and other than a few minor details it's pretty original, that's why the .25-35 came up.  . 

Do you guys think this was a reasonably common chambering on the later production 1885's?  I know that Burt H. posted a survey he did of the 30 most common chamberings for 1885's produced after Winchester records are no longer available, and that cartridge didn't make the list.

A few sources say that it was common, but like I said, I've only ever seen 2 of them, and the one for sale is one of them.   

Chris.

I at one time owned Two 1885 winchesters in original condition. Number 3 Round barrel, standard shotgun, pistol grip stock. One had wide spaced double set triggers. In 25-35. They both shot super at 200 yds with 100 Gr Sierra Spitzer
Flat based jacketed bullets. Never was able to shoot lead, tried a few times with no success. The twist in the Barrel looked like a Lead Screw Thread. I traded them away seperately for something I wanted more. I used 29 Grs (I think, Memory?) of 3031. Have regretted sending both of them down the road ever since. Nice to shoot, recoil was negligable. I think if I ever see another for sale I WILL buy it. 
HTH Regards FITZ OLD TUCK.

Chris, I'm not sure where I got these numbers, perhaps Bert Hartman, but this source says there were 64 model 1885's produced in 25-35.  Bob

I have a Win. Hi-wall Schuetzen takedown with a No. 3 barrel in .25-35. I have never heard of another one. It is about to be shot.

Well I spent too much time thinking about it and now someone else has bought that rifle .  They also have one in .219 Donaldson Wasp.  The stock looks nice, but not at all original.   

Chris.

John, from what I've read, the 1885's in .25-35 had a pretty quick 1:8 twist.  I imagine it was an anomaly when it came out.  The 1894's in the same cartridge were 1:10.

Chris.

Gunlaker, sorry to hear that you missed out on that HW in .25/35. Keep looking, that rifle/cartridge combo is real fun to shoot but they are tough to find. 
Corresponding with Bert H he says...."
There were (64) rifles made in 25-35 WCF that can be lettered, and I have found (9) more thus far in the 110000 - 140000 serial number range.  That brings the total number verified to (73), and I suspect that there may be another dozen or so of them out there yet undiscovered."
After many years of searching I've only seen 2 of them out here in Oz as the .25/35 never really was a popular cartridge. 
Mine was a well used farm rifle with a "good" bore and a 26" barrel but I grabbed it as soon as I found it.  While it is a bit rough on the exterior it shoots really well with the 117 gr Hornady RN and even better with the 100 gr Sierra spitzer (under an inch at 100 yds with the Lyman 103 sight). Photo shows the first test fire group with a load I cobbled together. I haven't shot cast bullets with it yet but have found a RCBS 100 gr FNGC mould that I will test out. 
Pete

Spud on your target was the high shot possibly your first and a cold bore shot?

I have a sporterized (or, bastardized; depends on your outlook) Borchardt Al Story built for a friend in 25-35.  It has the Borchardt factory double set trigger set.  I bought it and another he had in 6.5x57R.  He made me a deal on the two, so they came to live here.

If you shoot jacketed bullets, the cartridge would be super for Antelope or Whitetail, even black bear.

Good Luck!

Rich

I have had two.25-35 HW's, now only one.  Action is a take-down model with original engraving that letters.  Have not shot it.