Winchester Model 1876 Question...

[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]

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

[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"

[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:





SHASTA

[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

[cshold]

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

Hobie,
Wow! that's a truck load of great info.
That'll keep me out of trouble for awhile.
Thanks for the link.

[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.

[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]

Shasta that is one fine looking rifle sir!,,,DT

[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

[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]

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

[firefuzz]

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

[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!
Cheers
OkD

[Hobie]

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...

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

[Griff]

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