Who Owns 1876 Lever Gun?

[Chakta]

I was just wondering who all might own an 1876 model lever action rifle (replica) and what caliber did you choose? I am thinking about the 50-95 caliber in 28 inch octagon barrel by Uberti. Now any Pro's or Con's??? :mrgreen:

[TXGunNut]

FWIW it's on my wish list but I think the 1895 may edge it out.
I like it but know nothing about the calibers. I guess if you're going to be a bear you might as well be a grizzly bear.
You're going to load it with BP, right?

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Have an origonal in 45-60. Been shooting it every time up north there for some years.
The 45-60´s were affordable years back but I never saw a caliber .50 that was going to make it´s way into my storage. Started watching the replicas a couple years ago and decided this year it was time to save up. Went with the Chapparal. Latest news I read is that the quality control is functioning and new buyers are happy. Had my son order a 50-95. found some RCBS dies. Look to use caliber .348 Win brass to get it loaded. Have an assortment of caliber .50 molds on hand as I shoot several 50-70´s. From what I read the twist may be about 1-60 (?) so light 300 - 350 grainers will be needed. Been thinking about 2 .515 round balls as the case could easily hold them using 5744. Should make an interesting pig load or corn cruncher poppper under 50 yards.
Mike in Peru

[Grapeshot]

I was just wondering who all might own an 1876 model lever action rifle (replica) and what caliber did you choose? I am thinking about the 50-95 caliber in 28 inch octagon barrel by Uberti. Now any Pro's or Con's??? :mrgreen:

I have a Chappy I purchased a few years back in .45-60. It was the easiest to obtain ammo for using cheap .45-70 Gov't brass shortened to the correct length.

This is for those Pards that have gotten or are getting the Chaparral 1876 Winchester in .45-60 WCF.

First, if you are modifying .45/70 cases, you have to shorten your .45-70 cases from 2.10 inches to 1.88 inches. I used a Lyman case trimmer with a .45 Caliber pilot and a dial caliper to shorten one case to 1.88 inch.

I had a .45 Colt case trimming die that is used by using an RCBS press, a hacksaw and fine cut file. Lubricating the shortened .45-70 case, I ran it into this trim die until it was flush with the top. I then gave it a couple of passes with the file to true up the mouth.

Once that was done, I made sure that the die's locking nut was tightened down so it would not move.

The rest of the 89 cases I lubed and ran into the trim die until they protruded through the top of the die. I then used the hacksaw to cut off the excess and the file to true up the mouth.

After I had all the cases I wanted, I champhered the case mouths.

At this point in time, the cases are a bit bottlenecked in shape. I then ran them up through a .45/70 Sizing Die. Then through a .45/70 case mouth belling die to set them up for a .458 bullet.

After seating Remington Large Rifle Magnum Primers, I loaded the cases with a variety of .458 bullets and a 50-grain by volume Hogdon 777. An NEI 390 grain Gas Checked Model, a Rapine 405 grain Hollow Based bullet and a Lee 405 grain RNFP were used to fire form the cases. To crimp them I first ran them SLOWLY up a .45 Colt Taper Crimp die.

Knowing that I was going to have to have a real crimping die and a sizing die for the .45/60 I CALLED Lee Precision using their contact number from their web site. They had the dies on hand and I ordered a sizing die and a seating/crimping die.

This did not prove to be a practical solution, as the crimp die would not crimp. I may have trimmed the cases to short, or their die was not as precise as they claim. Anyway, I had a Lee .45-70 factory crimp die that I was not using, so I filed the sliding collet shorter, trying to crimp every few strokes until it would crimp the cases as slick as a whistle.

After firing the rifle with my modified cases, I reloaded with the same style bullets and new magnum rifle primers, but reduced the powder charge to 40 grains, by volume, of 777, and used the new sizing die and seating die and the modified FCD. I took it to the range again and had a blast as I made an old frying pan dance at 100 yards with those heavy bullets.

I've reloaded a batch using some smokeless loads and some Hornady 350 grain JSP's and some Montana Swaged 300 grain RNFP's in .458 diameter. I hope to check them out by the end of next month, if the weather cooperates around the Midatlantic eastern states.

I checked the rifling and it is faster than the originals. It came out to 1:22 inches.

[coyotebait]

missionary5155
When loading for 50-95 why not just get the proper Jamison brass? I load for a 50-95 and have seen converted 348 brass after being fired from the 50-95, it looks pretty bad. The 50-95 brass is .011 larger at the web and .021 larger at the rim than 348.
coyotebait

[Reg]

If you can find any Jamison brass in the caliber you want you had better grab it. Seems they have gone the way of the Dodo and the future dosn't look bright.
R E the ASSRA forum. Reloading the single shot rifle, 11-2-11

:|

[69daytona]

I have one that has been in the family since new, 38WCF still has about 80% of its finish, it is a deluxe model and all the checkering is like new along with a bright shiny bore and sharp rifling and very nice figured walnut..
Gun has been stored for last 70 years that I know of. I just ordered some brass and dies so I can do a little reloading for it.
Got a 1887 10 gauge in just as nice shape with it that has also been in the family since new. Not sure if I want to shoot it though until I get it checked out.

[KirkD]

I have an original Model 1876 chambered in 45-60. Brass for that caliber is a lot easier to find or make that for the 50-95. I put a 300 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,320 fps. Here's a photo ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/Desktop%20Photos/76-on-Fence.jpg

[missionary5155]

Howdy
If you can find ready made 50-95 brass you have to be prepared to pay $3 + per case. I have not made brass yet and will not till I get back in June. The little I have read no one mentioned any ugly cases.. but it is possible. Ugliest case I have seen was some 38 Special cases I once used to shoot a 41 Colt down here. Discovered I could wrap them in masking tape to fill the chamber gap. Read also fellers using 50 Alaska. I do not have any measurements on that brass but it is available at Starline for about $1 a case. One thing I have learned.. there has to be a way and I tend to be persistent.
Mike in Peru

[405]

Nice looking 76 KD!

Oh, they are absolutely classic, having taken the "scissor jack" action to it's ultimate design limit for large cartridges of the time. I have 3 originals all in 45-75. I shoot 2 of them and the RCBS 300-325 FN seems like a perfect match. I would think that the same would hold true if loading for the 45-60. If I were getting a current repro, I think I'd go with the 45-60, as has already been posted, instead of the 50. More options for components.

[coyotebait]

Here is Jamison 50-95 at BACO
http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=160086&CAT=3833
coyotebait

[missionary5155]

That Buffalo arms 50-95 price is reasonable ! Gonna have to get my son to ring the tele over there. Thanks ! Buffalo was one I overlooked.
Mike in Peru

[John Boy]

If you can find ready made 50-95 brass you have to be prepared to pay $3 + per case.The parent case to use for a conversion is the 348 Win, if you can find any

[Chakta]

I purchased 100 new cases in 50-95 back in the spring from Buffalo Arms co. Now as I remember I paid something like $1.80 cents a case for them. I also purchased some 3-1/4 inch cases for my 45/120 sharps too.

I would like to find some 500-Jeffery cases for $3.00 a case, any takers on that one?

[KirkD]

I would like to find some 500-Jeffery cases for $3.00 a case, any takers on that one?
Have you looked at Rocky Mountain Cartridge Company in Cody? Don't know if they make them or what they cost if they do, but I bought my 45-60 cases from them. They CNC machine them, anneal them, and properly headstamp them.

[405]

500 Jeffery? :shock:- Graf has Norma for over $5 a pop. Graf also has Jamison 50-95 at about $1.75 ea. No shipping fee just the $5 handling- small minimum order I think.

[Chakta]

Kirk-D, that is one mighty fine looking Winchester sir! I was told that the 40-65 using smokeless powder will out perform the 45-75 and the 50-95 too. I don't know if that is a fact but.......Holy Cow it sure sounds impressive to me.

[missionary5155]

Howdy Chakta
It would depend on range. Hard to get a 500 grainer in a 40-60 but it would be easy in a 50-90. I think at 30 yards that 500 grainer would still be stable... maybe at 100 yards.
But like all BP cartriges.. They each filled thier nitch well. Bigger critters just needed bigger smacks.
Mike in Peru

[Chakta]

I am going to turn my attention for a 50-110 to the model 1886 Winchester lever gun. It has a much stronger action, which would be more suited to my hunting needs etc.

I still really like the 1876 and Tom Horn was supposed to have used the 40/60 caliber. So that will still be a nice plinking rifle to show off down at the gunclub.

[Dirty30]

I have an original 76' in 45-75. It's a beautiful rifle, but I would recommend a cartridge more easily available. With Shiloh building sharps in 40-65 those brass are a little easier to come across.