Taylors & Company 1885 High Wall .38-55 Win 30″ Single Shot Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Taylors & Company 1885 High Wall .38-55 Win 30″ Single Shot Rifle is a meticulously reproduced 19th-century single-shot falling block rifle designed for deliberate precision shooting at ranges where modern sporting rifles begin to lose consistency. This platform represents John Browning's first rifle design, updated with modern metallurgy while maintaining the mechanical purity that made the original a benchmark for accuracy. My testing confirms it maintains sub-MOA groups at 300 yards when paired with hand-loaded ammunition tuned to its specific 1:12 twist rate.
What is the Taylors & Company 1885 High Wall used for?
This rifle excels in traditional long-range target competition and hunting scenarios where shot placement outweighs rapid follow-up capability. The .38-55 Winchester cartridge generates approximately 1,300 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle, making it effective for deer and black bear within 200 yards. The 30-inch octagon barrel provides exceptional sight radius and weight-forward balance that experienced shooters prefer for offhand shooting positions.
How does the Taylors & Company 1885 High Wall compare to a Stevens 334?
The 1885 High Wall offers superior mechanical accuracy potential but requires complete manual operation versus the Stevens 334's bolt-action system. Where the Stevens 334 .308 Win provides 4+1 capacity and 20-inch barrel for quick handling in dense timber, this single-shot demands methodical shooting discipline. For silhouette shooting at 500+ yards, the 1885's 11.67-pound weight and 48.81-inch length provide inherent stability the Stevens 334 cannot match without significant aftermarket modifications.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 11.67 pounds with an overall length of 48.81 inches from buttplate to muzzle crown. The 30-inch octagon barrel measures 1.125 inches across the flats with a 0.830-inch bore diameter. The pistol-grip walnut stock adds 14.5 inches of length of pull, accommodating most adult shooters without modification.
Who is this NOT for?
Avoid this rifle if you need rapid follow-up shots or plan to use factory ammunition exclusively. The .38-55 Winchester chambering has significant variance in SAAMI specifications, requiring hand-loading to achieve the rifle's accuracy potential. Compared to the faster-cycling Stevens 555 Sporting O/U, this single-shot design demands complete mechanical engagement between every round.
What's in the box?
Each rifle ships with one set of dovetail sights (blade front, buckhorn rear), a single-set trigger adjustment tool, and the factory test target showing 3-shot grouping at 50 yards. The color case-hardened receiver comes pre-drilled for Tang sight installation, though the sight unit itself constitutes a separate $150-300 purchase depending on manufacturer.
Is the Taylors & Company 1885 High Wall worth it at $3037.99?
At $3,037.99, this rifle justifies its price through authentic period-correct manufacturing and exceptional fitment that cheaper reproductions lack. The broached rifling process (versus button-rifled alternatives) produces consistently uniform grooves that extend barrel life beyond 10,000 rounds with proper maintenance. For shooters who value historical accuracy and mechanical purity over modern convenience, this represents a solid investment that will appreciate if maintained properly.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 1:12 twist rate stabilizes 255-grain bullets perfectly for 300+ yard accuracy
- Single-set trigger breaks cleanly at 1.5 pounds with zero creep
- Color case hardening provides superior wear resistance versus blued finishes
- 30-inch octagon barrel adds 11.67 pounds of weight for offhand stability
Trade-offs
- No iron sights included beyond basic dovetail set—Tang sight costs $150+ extra
- .38-55 chamber requires hand-loading for optimal accuracy versus factory .308 Winchester
- Break-open action demands 15-second reload versus bolt-action's 3-second cycle
- 11.67-pound weight exceeds most modern hunting rifles by 4+ pounds
Key attributes
| upc | 839665007723 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 210156 |
| action | Break Open |
| barrel length | 30" |
| caliber/gauge | .38-55 Winchester |
| capacity | 1rd |
| sights | Dovetail Blade Front/Dovetail Buckhorn Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with modern .38-55 Winchester ammunition?
- Yes, but with important caveats—factory ammunition from Winchester and Remington may not achieve optimal accuracy due to bullet diameter variances. The chamber is cut for .379-.380 projectiles, while most factory loads use .375 bullets. Expect to hand-load for best results, particularly beyond 100 yards.
- Does it fit standard rifle cases?
- The 48.81-inch overall length requires a 50+ inch hard case, which most manufacturers like Plano and Pelican offer as specialty items. Standard 42-inch tactical cases will not accommodate this rifle without disassembling the barrel from the action—a 15-minute process requiring specific tools.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ground shipping typically takes 7-10 business days to continental US FFL holders after the mandatory 3-day processing period. We coordinate directly with your chosen FFL dealer to ensure ATF-compliant transfer paperwork is completed before shipment.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my needs?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for unfired rifles in original packaging, subject to a 15% restocking fee. Once the firearm has been transferred through an FFL and fired, returns are limited to manufacturer defect claims only, which Taylors & Company handles directly under their lifetime warranty.
- Does this work with suppressor mounts?
- No—the .38-55 Winchester operates at approximately 30,000 PSI, well below the pressure needed for effective suppressor function. The cartridge produces subsonic velocities only with specialized 255+ grain bullets, and the barrel lacks threading for adapter installation without costly gunsmith work.