1876 Centennial

[WestByGollyTexas]

Howdy folks,

Well, I'm about to lay down the frog skins for a new rifle. I'm looking at the 1876 centennials but I'm torn on the caliber. I have it narrowed down to two; it'll either be the 45-75 or the 50-95. Not looking to make 1000 yard shots with it. I may attempt some 300 yard shots, and it seems both calibers can accomplish it. It also seems that the brass is around the same price.

If anyone has owned one of these rifles, or knows more about them than me, give me the pro's and cons for each caliber.

BTW, I'll be loading BP with these

Thanks in advance



Bob

[Chill Wills]

Sorry there has not been much for replies.

So,, I only have experience with the 45-60 Winchester. The 45-60 Winchester would be far and away easier to get loads for. Just cut down the 45-70 - BUT - I sense you are not looking for the easy path but rather the satisfying one.
I can't provide data or help with either of your choices. They are cool cartridges. Please post how this works out. It should be fun.

[Don McDowell]

on the Cas city forum hall there is an entire section dedicated to the 76's. Not a ton of blackpowder info but there is some.

[WestByGollyTexas]

I pretty much answered my own question

I found a few reviews on the 1876 in 50-95 online. While its a cool cartridge, the gun that shoots it is 49" OAL and, fully loaded, weighs almost 12 pounds. I was looking for something that would fit in a scabbard on a saddle and I'm not willing to try that. I was looking at a Crossfire Carbine in the same model and theyre made in 45-60 and 45-75 with a 22" barrel.

Looks like I'll be going with 45-75. I should still be able to make a 300 yard shot with it and still have enough wallop to take down anything in North America


Bob

[Grapeshot]

The .45-75 WCF is a great cartridge, but the brass is expensive and not always easy to find. I use an 1876 Crossfire Trails in .45-60 WCF. I made my brass out of .45/70 Government and have not had any problems. I also tried loading it with the US Cavalry's load, 55 grains of 2Fg and a .405 grain HBRN. The powder is compressed and the boolit will stabilize with my rifles 1:20 twist rate. It kicks like the dickens, but it will reach out and smack the daylights out of whatever you hit with it.

[Boz330]

I pretty much answered my own question

I found a few reviews on the 1876 in 50-95 online. While its a cool cartridge, the gun that shoots it is 49" OAL and, fully loaded, weighs almost 12 pounds. I was looking for something that would fit in a scabbard on a saddle and I'm not willing to try that. I was looking at a Crossfire Carbine in the same model and theyre made in 45-60 and 45-75 with a 22" barrel.

Looks like I'll be going with 45-75. I should still be able to make a 300 yard shot with it and still have enough wallop to take down anything in North America


Bob

I was at a 1000yd match last week. We had several hits on the 2X4 uprights from 45-70s that went through the 2Xs edge wise with no problem. Even the 45-60 would get the job done at 300yd with considerably less recoil. JMHO.


Bob

[Ithaca Gunner]

Another vote for the .45-60. I've learned over the years that if I keep things simple, it's a lot more enjoyable.

[ATCDoktor]

I appreciate my 1876 in 50-95.

Mines the 22" barreled version that was offered by Chapparel Arms and it shoots extremely well with properly sized bullets.

Heres 5 shots at 100 yards offhand on a 12" plate (please disregard the flyer at 11 o'clock that was totally me).



50-95 alongside the 45-70

[ragnar]

I'd like to hear from folks shooting the 45-60 with black powder. I've found a good load for my Uberti using AA5744 but am not there yet in finding a good black powder load which has been my goal from the beginning.
Mike

[WestByGollyTexas]

The .45-75 WCF is a great cartridge, but the brass is expensive and not always easy to find. I use an 1876 Crossfire Trails in .45-60 WCF. I made my brass out of .45/70 Government and have not had any problems. I also tried loading it with the US Cavalry's load, 55 grains of 2Fg and a .405 grain HBRN. The powder is compressed and the boolit will stabilize with my rifles 1:20 twist rate. It kicks like the dickens, but it will reach out and smack the daylights out of whatever you hit with it.

You may have convinced me to go with the 45-60 Grapeshot. Is the Crossfire Carbine capable of 200 or 300 yard shot

ETA: Grapeshot do you anneal the case mouths before you load?


Bob

[WestByGollyTexas]

I appreciate my 1876 in 50-95.

Mines the 22" barreled version that was offered by Chapparel Arms and it shoots extremely well with properly sized bullets.

Heres 5 shots at 100 yards offhand on a 12" plate (please disregard the flyer at 11 o'clock that was totally me).



50-95 alongside the 45-70

THATS the rifle I've been looking for. Seems theyre pretty much non-existent now, so I'll be going with the Crossfire



Bob

[reloader4410]

Sending a PM

[Grapeshot]

You may have convinced me to go with the 45-60 Grapeshot. Is the Crossfire Carbine capable of 200 or 300 yard shot

ETA: Grapeshot do you anneal the case mouths before you load?

.



Bob

I'm not sure about the 200 yard accuracy, I can only shoot 100 yard range at my local range. Accuracy with my .45-60 was good enough to hit a 11 inch frying pan at 100 yards with 350, 375GC and 405 PB & HB soft lead bullets on top of 60 grains 2Fg, Pyrodex, and Pinnacle powders. I haven't shot any smokeless yet. I was thinking of 12 grains of Unique as my starting point.

I only annealed the cases I formed from Star-Line Brass.

[johnson1942]

use blackhorn 209 powder in your lever actions, you will like it.

[flint45]

Mine a Chapparel .45-60 shoots great with a Lyman gould boolit h.p mine are 340 grs. with a gharge of 55 grs of Goex 2f compressed with a .030 veg wad and Winchester large rifle primer that boolit hits hard and is accurate.