Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Welcome to the Leverguns.Com Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here ... politely.

Moderators: AmBraCol, Hobie

Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.

Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Post Reply
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

My uncle has a ( I thought it was an 1886) winchester lever gun in 45-75. I remember looking at the cartridges, with their tapered case. As they live across the state, I can’t just go examine it. I know it’s Not a 1876, with the side plate cover, but everything I look up shows only the 76 centennial. I know it’s not a “popular” cartridge, as I can’t find reloading dies or info on it. So I’ll put it out to you gentlemen here, what winchesters were chambered in 45-75?
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
Drawdown
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 578
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:19 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Drawdown »

Bearskinner, I'm certainly no authority on the old Win, but according to a special edition magazine I have, only the Mod 1876 was, and from a quick scan only, a good portion of those where a special order by Canadian Northwest Mounted Police in a Carbine model. There's no mention of it in the 1886.
It appears the 1876 was chambered in the 45-75 right from the start!
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life"

"Better drawdown Alvin!"
"If you gotta shoot, shoot don't talk"
Conservative since day one and until the last!
Drawdown
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 578
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:19 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Drawdown »

20220503_193825.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life"

"Better drawdown Alvin!"
"If you gotta shoot, shoot don't talk"
Conservative since day one and until the last!
Drawdown
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 578
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:19 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Drawdown »

20220503_193910.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life"

"Better drawdown Alvin!"
"If you gotta shoot, shoot don't talk"
Conservative since day one and until the last!
User avatar
Ysabel Kid
Moderator
Posts: 27790
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:10 pm
Location: South Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Ysabel Kid »

I'm not sure why the 1886 would have been chambered in the .45-75 WCF, as it is an inferior round ballistically to the .45-70 Government. Well, not as a standard offering. But back in that era, Winchester (and Colt and other major arms makers) seemed to be more than willing to do custom orders for anyone willing to pay. So it is possible.
Image
cj57
Levergunner
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:30 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by cj57 »

there are 5 45-75s listed in the Winchester 1886 records, so if you were to find one! It would be very special!!
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

I’ll have to run down and take some really good pictures, and get the numbers off of it. I wanted to find a set of reloading dies, and load some very light loads and shoot it.
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
User avatar
CowboyTutt
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3712
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:27 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by CowboyTutt »

I agree with the board members here that an 1886 chambered in 45-75 would be highly unusual and very rare if they ever made them. It could be very valuable! -Tutt
"It ain't dead! As long as there's ONE COWBOY taking care of ONE COW, it ain't dead!!!" (the Cowboy Way)
-Monte Walsh (Selleck version)

"These battered wings still kick up dust." -Peter Gabriel
cj57
Levergunner
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:30 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by cj57 »

Here is a table of all calibers listed in factory records for the model 1886
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
CowboyTutt
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3712
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:27 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by CowboyTutt »

5 of them??????? :shock: -Tutt
"It ain't dead! As long as there's ONE COWBOY taking care of ONE COW, it ain't dead!!!" (the Cowboy Way)
-Monte Walsh (Selleck version)

"These battered wings still kick up dust." -Peter Gabriel
User avatar
Grizz
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11808
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Grizz »

cj57 wrote: Fri May 06, 2022 3:51 am Here is a table of all calibers listed in factory records for the model 1886
This is a very interesting bit of information. Thank you.
cj57
Levergunner
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:30 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by cj57 »

Grizz wrote: Sun May 08, 2022 12:03 pm
cj57 wrote: Fri May 06, 2022 3:51 am Here is a table of all calibers listed in factory records for the model 1886
This is a very interesting bit of information. Thank you.
you are welcome! I think a lot of the one offs are experimental or cartridge room test guns or just special order like the 5 45-75s may have been ordered for folks who had model 76s, Who knows! if you find any of them, you've got a rare bird!!!! $$$$$$
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

I knew someone would have more info than I could find. I’ve heard sometime in the 1880’s there was a fire that destroyed a lot of records of firearms sold. There is also a 1876 Centennial in 45-75 that is a very early example as well. A 3 digit serial number. Pre dust shield model, that one has a letter of authenticity.
How would an 80% trail boss or similar load be to use these old black powder rifles? A light 300 grain lead bullet with a light load, to use them, but not stress them.
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
User avatar
CowboyTutt
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3712
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:27 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by CowboyTutt »

Well, the 1886 action is strong as Hell, and much more so than the 1876 action. Please confirm what you have, thank you, -Tutt
"It ain't dead! As long as there's ONE COWBOY taking care of ONE COW, it ain't dead!!!" (the Cowboy Way)
-Monte Walsh (Selleck version)

"These battered wings still kick up dust." -Peter Gabriel
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

Yes, in 45-75, both models 1876, and 1886. They are family members guns. I appreciate all the information on them. I know my uncle tried 3 of the very old rounds ( factory BP loaded ammo) about 10 years ago, and none of them fired. I wanted to attempt to create some very light loads so he can fire the guns one more time. He said they have not been fired since the 70-80’s. (1970-80, not 1800’s)
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
User avatar
Grizz
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11808
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Grizz »

Bearskinner wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 8:15 am Yes, in 45-75, both models 1876, and 1886. They are family members guns. I appreciate all the information on them. I know my uncle tried 3 of the very old rounds ( factory BP loaded ammo) about 10 years ago, and none of them fired. I wanted to attempt to create some very light loads so he can fire the guns one more time. He said they have not been fired since the 70-80’s. (1970-80, not 1800’s)
THIS might help: https://gunsmagazine.com/discover/colla ... gentleman/

there is a lot of information on the webs, and i think there was some discussion on this forum. they only need to be propelled fast enough that they won't stick in the barrel. this load could be shot by anybody. i think. would this work?

a round ball, another possibility, is around 144 grains.

grizz
veeman
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:12 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by veeman »

I wouldn't call a 45/75 an inferior caliber, it does have it's limitations for sure. It's able and has taken every game species on this continent. Roosevelt certainly praised it. I love my Uberti 76 in 45/75. Finding one in an 86 would be awesome.
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

Starting to create brass for them ( put the 1886 away) even though the 1876 is the “ lightweight” of the two, it is not a one of 5 gun, so we’ll create some very light loads fir this 146 year old classic. I’ll do a thread on creating brass for this obsolete lever gun.
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
User avatar
450 Fuller
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 100
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:00 pm
Location: Mid AK-Mid AL-New Mexico

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by 450 Fuller »

Bear:

348 brass will work re-sized.

Had an 1885 SS in 45-75 WCF. Technically a "lever" action SS. Still have an 1885 in 45-60, made in 1887. VG bore, still shoot it.
User avatar
AJMD429
Posting leader...
Posts: 31932
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
Location: Hoosierland
Contact:

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by AJMD429 »

.
I'm pretty sentimental, but if I had a "one-of-five" 1886 I'd be likely to sell it to a collector, as long as I knew they would take good care of it (I've seen family heirloom guns wind up at garage-sales then get 'sporterized' by somebody... :shock: :( ). My only antique is a run-of-the-mill 1889 Marlin in 32-20, and it has enough nicks and dings that it isn't probably worth all that much, so I'll be keeping it.

I've never even heard of the "38-70" or "22-86" or "86-50"...!!!
Last edited by AJMD429 on Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.


Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
veeman
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:12 pm

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by veeman »

Shoot, I'd shoot it! That's what it's made for. But I'd be darn sure to clean and maintain it
Bearskinner
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Location: N Idaho

Re: Winchester levers chambered in 45-75

Post by Bearskinner »

I’ve got the assembly line of making brass figured out now, so I’ll be taking the 1876 and a pile of cartridges to the big bore shoot next week. Yes, they are made to shoot, and it’s truly a joy.
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
Post Reply