Recently purchased a '76 so new to this forum.

[Buckaroo Lou]

Hello Gentlemen,

I recently purchased a Chaparral 1876 rifle in 45-60. I guess if I had looked on this forum before purchasing I probably would not have purchased it. Alas, I did not so I own it. I have inspected the rifle and as far as the outside is concerned it is a very decent looking rifle. It has real walnut wood. The forearm is a bit slightly undersized on the end where it snugs up against the nose cap and the end that fits up against the receiver is perfect. I received 20 Ten-X rounds with the rifle and have cycled them to see if they feed and eject properly and they seem to just fine. The action is a bit stiff, but not too bad. The trigger is around 4 or 5 pounds (guessing) and breaks very cleanly. Absolutely no creep. From what I can tell there is no head space problem as the lever has a slight resistance before snapping closed.

I pulled the side plates and examined the toggle links. I thought they needed lubricating so I greased them up a bit, and greased the spring cams on the lever. The main hammer spring seems a bit heavy but I am not going to bother it until I can shoot the rifle to see how it performs. The lifter block seems to function ok but protrudes below the frame maybe 1/64th or there about(guessing). I did not look at the bolt and breech block other than to see that they were functioning and not adversely rubbing anywhere.

Could you guys tell me where I might find a decent set of reloading dies and some 45=60 brass?

[King Medallion]

Google search for the dies, best bet for brass is to cut down 45/70 brass.

[ATCDoktor]

The early serial numbered Chaparrals were the ones with the most problems so depending on where yours breaks out (early or late) you may have a good one.

I bought this one back in 2012  (SN in the 2100’s) chambered in 50/95 and it’s been accurate, dependable and trouble free with near 1000 rounds of smokeless loads fired through it.


With regards to 45/60 dies, (as King Medallion) stated just get a cheap set if 45/70 dies and have the bullet seating die shortened by about a quarter inch.

That’s what I did with this one (local machine shop took care of it) and it’s worked fine for me, works for 45/70, Hornady short 45/70 and 45/60 brass. 

Shortened, radiused inside and out cost $40.00 and worth every penny.

[Advertising]

[Slamfire]

 I have never regret'd buying my 40-60 "Chappie", or my 45-60, you'll enjoy it.

  coffee's ready,  Hootmix.

[Buckaroo Lou]

So all I need to do is cut down some 45-70 reloading dies and they will work for the 45-60? If a three die set do all the dies need to be cut off about 1/4"?

I have plenty of 45-70 brass I can cut down to the 45-60 length.

[King Medallion]

https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell-holders/shop-by-cartridge/.45-60-winchester-reloading-essentials/rcbs-45-60-winchester.html

https://www.wisetactical.com/firearm-accessories/reloading-equipment/lee-precision-pacesetter-3-die-set-45-60-wcf/

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012058164?pid=189666

https://opticsandammo.com/product/lyman-45-60-win-classic-3-die-rifle-set-mfg-7460508/

[ATCDoktor]

So all I need to do is cut down some 45-70 reloading dies and they will work for the 45-60? If a three die set do all the dies need to be cut off about 1/4"?

As King Medallion has pointed out, purchasing the correct die set is the most “accurate” way to ensure you have proper dies to handload the 45/60.

My situation was such that I had two die sets for 45/70, a Lee 3 die set I had for years and a set of RCBS 45/70 “cowboy” dies that I picked up from an estate for very little money.

Rather than buy a set of 45/60 dies I elected to shorten my Lee bullet seater die to load the shorter brass.

As far as shortening dies goes (if your going t use 45/70 dies) which dies you “trim” would be dependent on which die set you buy.

Regardless of which 45/70 dies you use, the sizing die will not need to be cut.

My Lee 45/70 expander die was too short to flare the case mouth for shortened 45/70 brass but my RCBS cowboy dies would flare short brass no problem so I elected to cut only my Lee seating die.

The exact dimension I had it shortened was .22 inches and radiused inside an out.

Essentially I had the machinist copy the Lee die profile cut exactly where the cartridge enters the die and the die enters the press.

It cost me $40.00 and it was completed in a day.

[Buckaroo Lou]

King Medallion I appreciate the information on the 45-60 dies. I had looked online but everyone I checked was out of stock. I thought I had checked Midway. Got a set coming.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I took this picture of my new-to-me 1876 rifle. I included one of my 1873 rifles for a comparison of the difference in size between the 1873 and 1876 rifles.

[King Medallion]

That's a nice looking 76 rifle. The 73 ain't to shabby either.