“model 1886”

Display will include rare Winchester Model 1886 takedown, Savage Model 1899 Rifle and more.

Wyoming-based Big Horn Armory has announced its new Model 90, a lever-action rifle chambered in .460 S&W Mag.

It was 150 years ago that the name “Winchester” was first stamped on a rifle. But Winchester’s narrative began well before that, and it is a tale tied to the American West, to the wars of the 20th century, to big personalities such as John Browning and John Olin, and to the manufacture of billions of cartridges and millions of rifles and shotguns beloved by generations of Americans.

It’s as big as the Grand Canyon, it’s right at home when chambered in a classic lever gun like the Winchester Model 1886, the Marlin Model 1895 or a classic Sharps falling block, and like America herself, it’s big enough to handle Alaska. Meet the "Most American" rifle cartridge: the .45-70 Government.

What is it about a lever-action rifle that still appeals to us all?

The .45-70 Government represents an era of American firearm development that is most certainly romantic and charismatic. However, the usefulness of the design is what has allowed it to see its way from the 19th century through the 21st century.

If you’re looking for something out of the norm, which can be housed in a handy rifle that hits hard, give the .338-06 a look. If you spend a bit of time with it, you’ll become a fan rather quickly.

Hornady has added the classic .348 Winchester to its popular LEVERevolution line, using the 200-grain FTX bullet. With its proprietary Flex-Tip meplat, the FTX bullet is perfectly safe to use in the tubular magazine of the Model 71—and many other lever guns—yet offers the downrange benefit of a spitzer bullet.

Contributor Philip Massaro shares some of his favorite rifles and loads for different bear hunting scenarios.