Winchester Model 1876 Question...

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cshold
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Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by cshold »

Question for you Winchester centennial (76) owners.
These rifles came in a variety of chambering's.
What chambering would be the overall recommended one?
What was the most popular one that carried the best reputation
back in the day? I would be looking for ease of casting and loading
with original hand tools and of coarse BP.
Thanks, Mike :)

"The 1876 was introduced to celebrate the American Centennial, and earned a reputation as a durable and powerful hunting rifle. Production included 54 One of One Thousand Model 1876s and only seven of the One of One Hundred grade.[4] Originally chambered for the new .45-75 WCF cartridge (designed to replicate the .45-70 Gov't ballistics in a shorter case), versions in .40-60, .45-60 and .50-95 Express followed; the '76 in the latter chambering is the only repeater known to have been used in any numbers by the professional buffalo hunters.[6] The Canadian North-West Mounted Police used the '76 in .45-75 as a standard long arm for many years with 750 rifles purchased for the force in 1883;[7] the Mountie-model '76 carbine was also issued to the Texas Rangers. Theodore Roosevelt used an engraved, pistol-gripped half-magazine '76 during his early hunting expeditions in the West and praised it. A '76 was also found in the possession of Apache warrior Geronimo after his surrender in 1886."
firefuzz
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by firefuzz »

I really like my 45-60 and it's believed that Al Sieber used a '76 in this caliber. This gun is pleasant to shoot and mine is more accurate than I am. If I was looking for power I'd go with the .45-75 or .50-95 Express. I intend to own both of these and am hoping that Miroku comes out with guns in these calibers.
Uberti makes the '76 in all three of these calibers already.

Rob
Proud to be Christian American and not ashamed of being white.

May your rifle always shoot straight, your mag never run dry, you always have one more round than you have adversaries, and your good mate always be there to watch your back.

Because I can!

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cshold
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by cshold »

Thanks Rob for the feedback.
Do you use the 300 gr. pill in yours?

John posted these ballistics on an other site.

"From the 1895 Winchester catalog ........

.40-60 - 210 gr. - 1,475 f.p.s. - 28" barrel

.45-60 - 300 gr. - 1,271 f.p.s. - 30" barrel

.45-75 - 350 gr. - 1,343 f.p.s. - 30" barrel

.50-95 - 300 gr. - 1,495 f.p.s. - 30" barrel


In 1910, WInchester upgraded the ballistics in most of their cartridges........

.40-60 - 1,533 f.p.s.

.45-60 - 1,315 f.p.s.

.45-75 - 1,383 f.p.s.

.50-95 - 1,557 f.p.s.

w44wcf"
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Shasta
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Shasta »

I have a Uberti-made 1876 with 28" barrel in .45-60. I chose the caliber because it is easy and convenient to reload for using readily available .45-70 brass and dies. The straight wall cases are much easier to clean inside as opposed to the bottle-neck design of the .45-75. The brass needs to be trimmed from 2.1" down to 1.89", and in some cases the rims need to be thinned slightly. For dies, I use a standard set of RCBS .45-70, the only modification needed was to shorten the bullet seating/crimp die by grinding off the bottom enough to accommodate the shorter .45-60 cases.

I use the 300 grain Lyman 457191 cast lead bullet, which shoots well with either black or smokeless powder. I found that black powder loads foul the long barrel and accuracy falls off very quickly unless a grease cookie is incorporated into the load beneath the bullet. Even then, the heavy fouling makes it much more difficult to clean the bore as opposed to smokeless powder. I get the best accuracy using a charge of either IMR 4198 or Reloader 7 topped by a half square of single ply toilet paper to hold the powder against the primer.

Historically, I would think the .45-75 was the most popular caliber. Early 1876 Winchesters did not have a caliber marking because the only caliber offered was .45-75 and the Winchester folks must have assumed everyone would know that.

Here is a pic of my rifle showing the exceptionally nice wood that attracted me to it:

Image



SHASTA
California Rifle & Pistol Association LIFE Member
National Rifle Association BENEFACTOR LIFE Member


http://www.hcrpclub.org/schedule.html

avatar pic is Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, & Mt. Shasta
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Hobie
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Hobie »

The .45-60 is the one to have if you want cheap brass but the .45-75 is the one if you want something more. You define "more". I like my .45-75. I do NOT shoot it enough... http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/s ... abel/45-75
Sincerely,

Hobie

"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
cshold
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by cshold »

SHASTA,
That's one very sharp looking rifle I must say :mrgreen:

Hobie,
Wow! that's a truck load of great info.
That'll keep me out of trouble for awhile.
Thanks for the link. :)
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Griff
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Griff »

Were it my choice... I'd have a hard time choosing between the .40-60 and the .45-60. For the reasons Shasta stated for the .45-60, but since I already cast many .409 bullets for my .40 caliber Sharps... far more than the .45-70 I have, I lean toward that chambering... but I'd really like a barrel length of 22", but in a rifle configuration.
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Dusty Texian
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Dusty Texian »

All four cartridges that the Model of 1876 Winchester was chambered for preform very well for what they were intended to do . The 40-60wcf is an Express cartridge at the time was considered a very flat and accurate shooter.The 45-60wcf they say was brought out because of 1876 owners complaining about recoil from the 45-75wcf. I dont buy that ,I think it came out for the same reason most folk choose it today,Brass! 45-70 brass could be had almost anywhere back in the old days ,and trimmed to fit the 45-60. Wonder how much army 45-70 Gov. brass was used in the oldtimers guns.A big + out on the prarie.Most will not argue that the 50-95wcf is not a good stoping gun. That is what it was designd for Killing big bad stuff Fast. And brother it will.I have never gotten the accuracy from the big 50 that I have from the others with the same care in loading and shooting. May be just my luck, but I sure gave it a try. That brings us to the 45-75wcf the one that started it all in the Model 1876 and Winchesters second ever centerfire cartridge. Having worked with them all. The 45-75wcf is my choice and is the gun I grab when I am hunting open country ,were shots may be over 100 yd. It is a very powerful 200 yd. gun Accurate and is very easy for me to shoot . Personaly I have never found the recoil unpleasant in the 28" oct. rifle. I have shot this cal. from the bench and in the field .My vote goes to the 45-75wcf ,for the best all around choice in the Model of 1876 Winchester. DT
Dusty Texian
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Dusty Texian »

Shasta that is one fine looking rifle sir!,,,DT
cshold
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by cshold »

So Dusty,
What you're driving at is,
When I show up at your ranch with a centennial in 45-75wcf I'd be good to go in your book :wink:
Dusty Texian
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Dusty Texian »

You bet casastahle! I think any one of the four calibers offered in the 1876 model,would be a good choice for big game hunting . The 45-75wcf would be my first choice. ,,,DT
rjohns94
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by rjohns94 »

Mine was in 45-60. Looked like Shasta's Took it shooting with 86er and Jason. Shot a Yak And a pig. I reloaded in BP and really liked the gun. Moved it to get an original 1886
Mike Johnson,

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firefuzz
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by firefuzz »

casastahle wrote:Thanks Rob for the feedback.
Do you use the 300 gr. pill in yours?

John posted these ballistics on an other site.

"From the 1895 Winchester catalog ........

.40-60 - 210 gr. - 1,475 f.p.s. - 28" barrel

.45-60 - 300 gr. - 1,271 f.p.s. - 30" barrel

.45-75 - 350 gr. - 1,343 f.p.s. - 30" barrel

.50-95 - 300 gr. - 1,495 f.p.s. - 30" barrel


In 1910, WInchester upgraded the ballistics in most of their cartridges........

.40-60 - 1,533 f.p.s.

.45-60 - 1,315 f.p.s.

.45-75 - 1,383 f.p.s.

.50-95 - 1,557 f.p.s.

w44wcf"
Yes, I use a cast 300 gr bullet. I'm really wanting a .50-95, but I don't want a 28" barrel. So if I get one it'll be back to the 'smth's to have it shortened to 24" with a full mag.

Rob
Proud to be Christian American and not ashamed of being white.

May your rifle always shoot straight, your mag never run dry, you always have one more round than you have adversaries, and your good mate always be there to watch your back.

Because I can!

Never grow a wishbone where a backbone ought to be.
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okdee
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by okdee »

I agree with that Dusty Texian. I have owned a couple of 45-75 and feel that is the best cartridge. That being said, all I have now is a 76 in 45-60. It was worked on and given new life, with a relined barrel. Sweet shooter from 100-150 yards.
Your just gonna have to get all the calibers, and have a grand time figurin out which one to keep! :D
Cheers
OkD
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Hobie
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Hobie »

rjohns94 wrote:Mine was in 45-60. Looked like Shasta's Took it shooting with 86er and Jason. Shot a Yak And a pig. I reloaded in BP and really liked the gun. Moved it to get an original 1886
Yours was a .45-75. I bought your surplus ammo when you sold the gun... :wink:

PS - I know how hard it is to remember specifics when you buy and sell the way you do... :lol:
Sincerely,

Hobie

"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
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Griff
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Re: Winchester Model 1876 Question...

Post by Griff »

Hobie wrote:
rjohns94 wrote:Mine was in 45-60. Looked like Shasta's Took it shooting with 86er and Jason. Shot a Yak And a pig. I reloaded in BP and really liked the gun. Moved it to get an original 1886
Yours was a .45-75. I bought your surplus ammo when you sold the gun... :wink:
PS - I know how hard it is to remember specifics when you buy and sell the way you do... :lol:
:P :lol: :lol: :lol:
Griff,
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There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
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