Ken Kempa's article about the Uberti 50/95 1876 Winchester clone, in the January issue of Guns and Ammo, has occasioned a lot of criticism. From what little I can tell, the criticism might well be valid.
One thing that interested me about the article was Kempa's use of 450-grain jacketed bullets. It seems that he got pretty good accuracy with them.
Questions arise, though:
First, might the 1x48" twist that Uberti uses stabilize "heavy" bullets like 450 grainers better than the "original" Winchester 1x60" twist?
Second, is there a cast bullet of about this same weight that might seat properly and be safe to shoot in a Winchester 1876 "clone?
Third, is there safe load data for "heavy bullet" loads in the 50/95, including smokeless powder loads? (Full disclosure. I am trying to "read up" on the 1876 Winchester. I suspect that my knowledge on the subject is very much still full of holes.)
Context:
While I am unlikely to shoot a lot of buffalo (or, even any buffalo...it is hard to get a "shaggy" into an apartment-sized freezer) it might be interesting to see whether "50/70 equivalent loads" ( a cartridge that has proved itself as a buffalo killer) might be practicable in a 50/95 rifle.
"Smokeless" data would be valuable. This is especially the case for us unfortunates who live in "Peoples' Republik" states.
450-grain bullet in the 50/95
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- Levergunner
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- KirkD
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Re: 450-grain bullet in the 50/95
In general, for the same caliber, the heavier the bullet, the tighter the twist, so the new repros with a 1/48 might stabilize a heavier bullet than the original 312 grain bullet. I can't comment on loads, but I don't see why one could not develop a smokeless load for a 450 grain bullet, although it might be tricky. Developing a smokeless load for an original weight bullet is easy, but everything changes when you use a bullet that is about 50% heavier than the original. You would need to use a slow smokeless powder, and you would need to significantly reduce the velocity to account for the 50% gain in inertia, in order to keep the pressure at safe levels. That is a little too tricky for me, as a fellow would either need to measure the pressure as he was developing the load, or else used a safe published load somewhere (I'm no help on that one either).
Personally, the joy in using an original or a repro '76 included using the same ballistics as the original ones. If you can't find a 312 grain mould or a 300 grain mould that drops them at around .510, then you can always get a custom mould made. I just see no point in a 450 grain bullet in a '76 50/95. The 312 grain bullet is powerful enough.
Personally, the joy in using an original or a repro '76 included using the same ballistics as the original ones. If you can't find a 312 grain mould or a 300 grain mould that drops them at around .510, then you can always get a custom mould made. I just see no point in a 450 grain bullet in a '76 50/95. The 312 grain bullet is powerful enough.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/