"Pre" topic question- Remington Lees

[jmoore]

Which if any of the Remington Lee rifles would be most complementary to a Lee Enfield Rifle accumulation? Feller I know has some of them coming up for sale, including a 1879 model, some 1882, 1885, and 1899(?) models, all military types (no sporters). Mostly 45-70 and .30" Army cal.

I'm leaning towards an 1882 because it has a very nice bore including crown, but all the big bore rifles and carbines aren't bad internally. Not so much for the .30"ers. They all do show interesting developmental facets of the Lee turnbolt design!

BTW what was Lee thinking w/ the Lee Winchester Navy model? What a disaster that!

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[Alfred]

The 1899 would look great paired with a Long Lee, they'd be practically the same design philosophy in paralell developments.

The 1880's models would have been those the British actually tested and examined when developing the Lee Metford and LE rifles.

I'd go fo the 1899 if in shootable condition. It would be super cool to see this rare US Martial arm rifle testfired alongside a LE of the same vintage. You might have an article and photo spread of the event published and that could offset the cost of the rifle.

PS
The Lee Navy was just a bit ahead of its time, propellant technology wasn't up to the high velocity small bore quite yet.
The action was very fast, but ergonomically the hand movements required were more tiring after a few shots than the turn bolt action. Its not a true straight pull, the bolt tilting at a steep angle.
Performance wise the rifle and cartridge delivered the accuracy and penetration it promised.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

I would go with the 1882 or the 1885.
Bent bolt, single stack magazine.

Just like a .45 calibre version of a Metford

the 1879 has a straight bolt handle.

The 6mm versions would be a pain in the arse to find ammo for, while the 45-70 is a common round even today.

[jmoore]

I do find the 1899's interesting, especially considering that they retained the single column magazine, whilst other more forward looking types had recogized the platform had fire superiorty potential w/the lightning fast action mated to a high capacity mag. Unfortunately, the '99's did not seem to have very good bores, more will be known friday.
No Remingtons in 6mm yet, but the Winchester would be interesting to try on some whitetail deer. (How it would beat the spectacular kills made w/55 and 60gr .223 rem over the past few years would I don't know.)
Leaning towards the US marked (not Navy) 1882 still. Dang, too much stuff all at once!

[Patrick Chadwick]

As a target shooter I would go for the 45-70 version, to have something unusual that might provide serious competition for the Trapdoors in BPCR competitions, but still uses easily available cases.

Patrick

[jmoore]

Those wiley BPCR guys require an external hammer on their pill throwers just to keep out cool stuff like Ward-Burtons and Sharps Borschardts (spelling?), I think! Probably a good thing, otherwise I'd be wearing out those crusty old relics.

[Jc5]

I know someone who would sell me an unsporterized Remington-Lee model 1899 in 30-40 Krag, but it's missing the rear sight (it has the rear sight base, though).

I imagine those are pretty hard to find? If someone has an extra backsight laying around, then it might be worth restoring.

...

Jmoore, let us know which one you decide on.

[jmoore]

More guns to look at Friday! Aieeeeee! More later...

[jmoore]

OK its still thursday, but the collection is rather overwhelming! However, its all 1860's through 1900 US martial arms w/some trench guns thrown in. Really cool and rare stuff, but not for this forum. About 100 guns, mostly rifles(some carbines). Still leaning towards the 1882 trials Rem-Lee and maybe the 6mm Win-Lee, running plumb out o' fun funds!

[jmoore]

OK, A turnbolt Lee Action w/ 4 locking lugs!!!!!!!!! Two in back and two in front. Counterbored breech face(30-40 Krag cal.) No pesky threads to take firing loads when worn! Gotta try the picture thing tomorrow for your dining and dancing pleasure. I'm so tired can't hardly see and 30 miles from home. rambling, sorry.