Winchester 1876 in .50-95, Who has one?

[hockeynick39]

I currently own an original 1875 in .45-60 that was built in 1882, so I am familiar with the rifle. What I am more curious about is the cartridge and what people think of it, especially for hunting and such. I have been thinking of going with an Uberti so I can use smokeless powders in it. Thoughts, comments, please post, thank you.

[ndnchf]

I have an Uberti .50-95. Its a very fine rifle, no problems at all. While not a tackdriver, it shoots quite well.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
We have a "higher" number 4xxx Chaparral 1876 in 50-95. We generally shoot Goex 3F with a 350 grain home cast. Rifle will shoot regularly 2.5 inches at 100 yards off cross sticks. Off and on I can hold it to 2.25 inches.
So far no smokeless load can beat the 3F load but 5744 will come real close. Both the 3F load and 5744 we hold to the same velocity of 1465 fps more or less.
The 350 grain slug does far more damage at 100 - 200 yards than the original under 300 grain slug.
I will see if I can get a photo up....
Mike in LLama Land

[veeman]

My 76 is an older Uberti 45/75, has the "Uberti Chamber". One of my more favorite rifles, shoots very well with most smokeless powders, but does seem to favor IMR4198, and Shooters Choice Buffalo Rifle.

[missionary5155]

This is our 50-95. After shooting it enough in the summer time I decided to remove the steel shoulder destroyer and add a padded cover. Now I can shoot it very comfortably in a T-shirt.
Also I removed the ladder sight and installed a full buckhorn from Marbles. Works excellent with our 3F load out to 200 yards.

[ATCDoktor]

I have two reproduction 1876’s chambered for 50/95 WCF.

One is a Chaparral carbine and the other is a Uberti Presidio carbine and both are an extreme pleasure to shoot.



Both the Uberti and Chaparral group extremely well with my handloads which launch a 350 flat point bullet at 1450 FPS using a stiff charge of H4198 and standard rifle primers.

This is an 75 yard group with the Presidio using the above mentioned load.


And here’s a hundred yard group with the Chaparral (again using H4198 and a 350 grain flat point boolit).


I have experimented with boolits up to 450 grains in the Chaparral and they too shoot very good groups albeit about 12” lower than the 350 grain projectiles.

This is a 100 yard group from the Chaparral fired using some .515 450 grain boolits meant for the 50/70 govt using H4831 as well.


The POI was so low I had to hold well above the steel cross bar on my target frame to hit the steel.

As you can see, these reproductions chambered in 50/95 wcf can be made to shoot extremely well.

With regards to hunting and the 50/95’s performance on game, I’ve had neither of mine in the field so I can’t speak specifically to that concern.

That said, having taken game with cartridges having similar performance I would have complete confidence using the 50/95 cartridge on any North American game within the limits of my shooting skill.

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon
Going to have to run some 4198 through our's next time up north.
When we were trying out smokeless in our's as our supply of 4198 was near gone.

[ndnchf]

What is the 4198 charge with the 350gr bullet?

[ATCDoktor]

What is the 4198 charge with the 350gr bullet?

PM sent

[ndnchf]

PM sent

Sorry, didnt get a pm.

[ATCDoktor]

Check now.

Keep in mind that data is meant for reproduction rifles in good condition.

I would not use that data in an original 1876.

[ndnchf]

Thanks.

[sharps4590]

Two things....either I cannot look at this thread again or I'm going to have to acquire a '76 in 50-95....and it will be you guys fault.....

[veeman]

It is very tempting, isn't it. I just acquired 100 new Jamison 40-60 brass, and am halfheartedly looking for one. Can't deny the truth of the fact that I want one all 4 calibers.

[hockeynick39]

Thank you gentleman! Definitely the information I was seeking.

[sharps4590]

A few months back there was a local auction of most of the firearms of a late friend of mine. I had absolutely NO IDEA he had nearly 400. Anyway, I bought a NIB '73 in 44-40 worth the money and there was also a '76, NIB in 50-95 that I just passed on. I should have stuck around and bought it as well. Hind sight. Ah well, there'll be another come along sometime.

[wwmartin]

I bought 80 round of 50-95W BACO black powder loads at the local auction house at a very good price. The rest is history. New Uberti from BACO and Lyman mold, IMR 4198 load data from Cartridges of the World and was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't beat you to death.
If you get one brass can be made from 50 Alaskan, less trimming and rims don't need trimmed like the 50-90 that I used.
Buffalo Arms had the best price for new when I bought mine a year ago.

Bill

[missionary5155]

We bought our's when CDNN was wholesaling them. Actually bought two but the other is the Canadian Mountie model in 40-60.
Each was less than what I see used ones selling for. But between the calibers I have a real happy feeling with the 50. Big holes are always better !
Mike in LLama Land

[hpbear101]

I'm really enjoying mine since I got it a month or so ago. I am using Starline 50 Alaskan brass, RCBS dies, and the Accurate Molds 51-350CL bullet. I have 1886s in 45-70 and 1 50-100, the 50-95 would be adequate for deer sand elk at appropriate ranges.

Tom

[Bob Busetti]

I got my 50/95 about 10 years ago. I bought a Lyman 340 gr mold & sizer .512. I found right away the bullets shot much better when left as cast, .515. Opened up sizer die to .515. Rifle is an excellent shooter now. Found that RX7 & 5744 work best to give me the 1500 fps I wanted. The rifle I have is the Express rifle with 22" barrel.