Winchester 1876 Range Report (photos)

[KirkD]

I've been working on a new pet load for my original Winchester Model 1876. I figured 25 grains of 5744 under the 322 grain cast GC bullet I've been using should give me somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1,325 fps. I loaded up seven rounds, five to see how they shoot over the chronograph and two to shoot offhand at 100 yards. Here's a photo of the five for the chronograph ....



I got the brass from Rocky Mountain Cartridge in Cody, WY. Folks can also get nice 45-60 brass from http://www.marstar.ca/ammo-etc/new-brass.shtm

Here's a photo of my old '76 ....



The first thing I did at the range was to take my two offhand shots at 100 yards. I have the rest of the summer to practice for hunting season, but here's the target anyway ....



I then set up another target at 100 yards, aligned my chronograph, and took five shots. The 25 grains of 5744 gave an average velocity of 1,332 fps with an extreme spread of only 17 fps. That is nice burning consistency. I'm a little rusty, so the group was a bit looser than the gun is capable of, but here's the target anyway ....



This is going to be my pet load for my '76. The Rocky Mountain Cartridges have a little less case volume than Chaparrel brass, so the same load may give a lower velocity in the latter. I'm taking this deer hunting this fall. Now to practice all summer and early fall with this so I can get real good with it. I'll be practicing out to 200 yards.

[.45colt]

Well I think You got that one nailed down. .Very Nice.

[Ben_Rumson]

Great stuff Kirk... How much air space is left in the cases?

[rangerider7]

Offhand at 100 yards, that some good shooting. If I could hold that steady I might have got you a coyote with the 32-20 53 in time.

[KirkD]

Offhand at 100 yards, that some good shooting. If I could hold that steady I might have got you a coyote with the 32-20 53 in time.

There's still time. I've postponed writing the article until next fall. I'll be pullin' for you.

Ben Rumson: I'd say, going from memory, that the case, after the bullet is seated, will be about 2/3rds full.

[Old Time Hunter]

Just awesome Kirk! As steady as you are, you must not have a worry in the world.

[rangerider7]

I'll be taking the 53 again tomorrow then.

[kimwcook]

Excellent, just excellent. You've found a great load for a great ole rifle. Make sure you tell us how you do with it hunting this fall.

[TedH]

That will work!

[Griff]

Kirk,

As usual, you've outdone yourself. Mighty fine rifle, and excellent shooting to go with it.

[O.S.O.K.]

I am envious!

Very good shooting - especially the usuported shots. Well done!

I know that 5744 is considered a BP sub but what's the pressure running for those loads? I think I might be using only
BP if that were my baby...

Not questioning your decision - just curious.

[Hobie]

Neat Kirk!

[KirkD]

I know that 5744 is considered a BP sub but what's the pressure running for those loads?

I don't have any reloading data for 5744 in the 45-60, but a fellow can extrapolate a bit. According to Accurate, 27 grains of 5744 under a 405 grain bullet gives 1,394 fps at a pressure of 16,100 psi. A bullet weight of 322 grains will produce approximately 12,700 psi in the 45-70. The 45-60 is shorter by about 1/4", but the 322 grain bullet does not stick as far into the case as the 405gr bullet to almost balance it off. Adjusting for my smaller powder charge I'd estimate the pressure of my load to be around 11,800 psi. 5744 has a milder pressure curve than BP. The BP peak pressure is at least 13,500 psi, extrapolating from 45-70 FFg data.

[rjohns94]

WOW. What a beautiful rifle and I can definately can almost taste its history, its that pallable. I personally would love to hear how you progress through the summer.

[RIHMFIRE]

Love your 76....and thats some fine shootn' too!
and as always....great photos...

Have you whacked a deer with that 76?

[20cows]

As usual, you've outdone yourself. Mighty fine rifle, and excellent shooting to go with it.

I don't know if he outdid himself, but I'm pretty sure he outdid me!

[Dave]

Man! That gun is dead on and shooting tight. I think load development is over

[Pop Watts]

Thanks Kirk.

Good shooting, a great post and a most excetional old rifle.

Pop.

[Ysabel Kid]

Excellent range report Kirk!!!

[firefuzz]

Kirk,

Just FYI, the new Lyman 49 gives the loads of 23.0gr min, 27.0gr max of AA5744 with a 300gr bullet and 20.0gr min, 26.0 max for a 330gr bullet. Looks like to me your load is right in there. Could you please tell me what the OAL cartridge lenth is for your load? I'm fixing to start loading for my Cimarron '76 clone.

Rob

[KirkD]

Rob, that published information is good to know. I developed the load myself by looking at burn rates, case volume, bullet weights, chrono results, etc. I'm glad to see my results fall nicely into that published information. The O.A.L. of my cartridges is 2.32". However, I have an original BP 45-60 cartridge and it measures 2.255" O.A.L. I was surprised that a 2.32" cartridge would feed through my '76 without any problems, but it does, although I am at the absolute upper limit. I did have one cartridge yesterday slightly stick as I lifted the elevator, so I'll seat the bullet in another .01".

[O.S.O.K.]

Ah, good to know about those loads. I didn't realize that 5744 was that mild - I have used it in my milder 45-70 loads for a long time but I thought it was generating something closer to 28000 psi at the top end.

Thanks.