Winchester 1876 50 Express

[shrapnel]

I just picked up this original 1876 Winchester in 50 Express. These guns are rare and especially in this condition. I already have a Colt Lightning in 50 Express, so I don’t have to go searching for dies and components to shoot this rifle.

It came with Freund sights, both front and rear. Those sights are different than what you expect to see on these old Winchesters, but they do give you more sighting options.

I took it to the range and with those open sights, was able to shoot this 3 shot group at 100 yards.

Now I have to wait for gophers to come out to get some practice deer hunting next fall.

https://i.imgur.com/nHqa0Qy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/h4iMayd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6F8uFQv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UrQphNl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lisU1EK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ESBCwWp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wOjhyol.jpg

[Ajohns]

Wow! Dream gun there for sure!
Very nice, glad it looks and shoots good

[HWooldridge]

That should kill a gopher - or scare him to death...

[eastbank]

what a nice rifle.:happy dance::happy dance:

[littlejack]

Very nice rifle. Congratulations.

[cwtebay]

WOW!!!
I am definitely green! What an awesome example, and a shooter to boot.
Any difference between the Colt's chamber and this one?
Did you get a letter with the rifle? Curious which sights came on it, I recently saw a '76 at a gun show that the seller came with the "More Light Sight" on its paperwork.

(BTW - probably not enough gun for gophers - you'll probably want an '86 in 50 WCF)

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[shrapnel]

WOW!!!
I am definitely green! What an awesome example, and a shooter to boot.
Any difference between the Colt's chamber and this one?
Did you get a letter with the rifle? Curious which sights came on it, I recently saw a '76 at a gun show that the seller came with the "More Light Sight" on its paperwork.

(BTW - probably not enough gun for gophers - you'll probably want an '86 in 50 WCF)

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

The cartridges work the same in both guns…

[square butte]

Hope you loaded up on Jamison Brass for 50-95 when it was still available

[shrapnel]

Hope you loaded up on Jamison Brass for 50-95 when it was still available

Actually, I got a bunch of Bell brass when I got the Colt Lightning...

https://i.imgur.com/uaMnbBF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/O9uhavB.jpg

[JFE]

Great find. It’s a nice looking rifle in good condition.

I’d never heard of Freund sights. I assume they were an option back in the day. The rear sight looks quite practical.

[square butte]

What mold are you using for you loading? I wound up with one of the Cimarron Presidio's in 50 Exp. Your 1876 is nice

[badguybuster]

Wow. Thats awesome. im a little jello

[shrapnel]

What mold are you using for you loading? I wound up with one of the Cimarron Presidio's in 50 Exp. Your 1876 is nice

It is actually an NEI mould that is long out of production. I borrowed it from Mike Venturino when I got my Sharps 50-70 Carbine from him years ago. We are going to do an article on the 50 Express in the near future. Mike doesn't have the mould anymore, so we might have to get Steve Brooks to build another one. When a bullet shoots this good, you don't go looking for something else to use...

[cwtebay]

The cartridges work the same in both guns…Implying 50 WCF = 50-110

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[square butte]

50 Express = 50-95 Winchester

[John Taylor]

I think I'm a bit confused, I have never heard the 50-95 called an express. The 50-110 was called express and is the same case as the 50-105 and 50-100. The 50-95 is a bottle necked cartridge that came out in 1889. The 50-110 came out in 1899 for the 1886 rifle.

[cwtebay]

I think I'm a bit confused, I have never heard the 50-95 called an express. The 50-110 was called express and is the same case as the 50-105 and 50-100. The 50-95 is a bottle necked cartridge that came out in 1889. The 50-110 came out in 1899 for the 1886 rifle.I believe that the 50-110-300 was an "express load" due to the lighter bullet weight. Any of the 50-110 were referred to as 50 WCF (much like 44-40 = 44 WCF). The 50-95 is a much different animal and was designed for the toggle link '76. The 50-110 wouldn't have been friends with the '76's action.
Then it gets really muddy with the 50-100.....etc.


Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[hpbear101]

Congratulations that is a very nice looking old 76. I really like that rear sight, I had never seen one before.

I have one of the Uberti 50-95s and enjoy shooting it.

Tom

[Rick B]

Very nice acquisition. Do the sling bases and swivels letter. A friend recently picked up a 1876 in 45-75. The sling base and swivels look factory on his. But they don't letter. Would like to see a picture of the bullet. Also could you share the 3 shot load info. Great shooting!
Rick

[ATCDoktor]

With regards to the 50/95 WCF being designated an “Express” cartridge; just about every original Winchester Model 1876 chambered in 50/95 I’ve ever seen either on the internet or in person was marked with the “Express” designation on the dust cover.

https://i.postimg.cc/2632f47w/3-BCED3-B5-0-B06-41-E3-9-C55-530-FF001-C25-D.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/4y9PYsMH/B2975-EF1-1282-421-A-A150-1-EE18-B8397-AD.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/qRYQBzmd/B4-CD1678-93-F8-4-D7-E-990-F-7-B008606-DC8-A.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/zfx0MdKv/E5-F4-AE45-EFBE-4733-A854-89946-A509-F65.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[indian joe]

I think I'm a bit confused, I have never heard the 50-95 called an express. The 50-110 was called express and is the same case as the 50-105 and 50-100. The 50-95 is a bottle necked cartridge that came out in 1889. The 50-110 came out in 1899 for the 1886 rifle.

Common enough John if you are a fan of the '76
in my period winchester catalog ammo listed as ----50/95 adapted to winchester express rifle = $76 per 1000
300 grain express boolits $19 and change per 1000 - these with a big hollow point

the Express term was common useage to the 50/95 in the model 1876

[shrapnel]

Common enough John if you are a fan of the '76
in my period winchester catalog ammo listed as ----50/95 adapted to winchester express rifle = $76 per 1000
300 grain express boolits $19 and change per 1000 - these with a big hollow point

the Express term was common useage to the 50/95 in the model 1876

50 Express was the term for the 50-95 by more than just Winchester, here is the caliber stamp on the Colt Lightning...

https://i.imgur.com/Ad2dNAk.jpg

[Abert Rim]

Colt sure used a gorgeous font to mark the Lightnings!

[pworley1]

Both of those are great looking rifles. Congratulations!

[BFJ]

Very interesting rifles. I really like the old stuff. Thanks for posting.