Vintage Hunting and the 1876

[kwilliams1876]

Has anyone--since TR, of course--used a '76 for antelope hunting?  Have been told that it doesn't have enough range.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Hugh

WELL OUT HERE IN MONTANA, WE HUNT ANTELOPE WITH A BOW, SO ANY RIFLE IS CAPABLE OF SUCCESSS. MY 50-95 IS GOING TO BE USED FOR THE NEXT WEEK  IN THE MUSSELSHELL COUNTRY.  
REGARDS
KWILLIAMS

[Rafe Covington]

I would imagine hunting antelope with a 1876 in 40-60 could be done, I guess it would come down to how good a hunter you are and how good a shot you are. The rifle is just a tool to help you accomplish the hunt, your shooting ability is what it comes down too. I sure would like to try it one time. JMHO

Rafe

[Silver_Rings]

Howdy folks,

The range I shoot at installed metal full size buffalo and coyote targets at 500 yds.  I was out Wednesday with my 76 in 45-60 and once I got the elevation and windage right I was able to hit the buffalo most of the time.  The coyote 3 out of 6.  This was off sand bags on a bench.  I was not accurate enough to hunt game at that range, but the bullet will reach far enough.

I also had my Browning 1885 high wall in 38-55 on Wednesday.  With it I had a run of 5 for 5 on the coyote.  I could see using it at 500 yds.

Silver Rings

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[shrapnel]

Has anyone--since TR, of course--used a '76 for antelope hunting?  Have been told that it doesn't have enough range.  Any thoughts?
Thanks, Hugh

I have shot most big game at one time or another with an 1876, including antelope. I just don't have a picture of the antelope, though I have shot them with a Sharps carbine and an 1886 in 40-65, either which are similar ballistically to the 1876...

[Jubal Wilson]

Shrapnel,
Since moving to the Black Hills of South Dakota I have been carrying my 1876 in 45-60 with me when I wander the hills. I carry the 1876 for defense against the ferocious Prairie Dogs they have here. I see by your pictures that you put your 1876 to good use on same. Carry on Sir.
Jubal   

[Slowhand Bob]

One day I will get the dollars together to get a '76 Uberti model and I am sure that it will  then require some serious thoughts as to which caliber to go with.  My first reaction is to always put the 45-75 in front but?  It has been a long time since I have read the Venturino book but seem to remember that he thought of the '76  caliber line up as express types rather than true long range loadings?  As a gun for close up medium or slightly larger game perhaps the 45-60 would be a smarter choice, due to ammunition availability problems.  It is my understanding that most of the '76 calibers are extremely expensive, if not almost impossible to obtain brass for hand loading with bp?  One other thought for those hunting with these rifles using black powder, is there the same advantage of choosing a necked cartridge for keeping the residue out of the action, as enjoyed with the 44-40 in the '73?

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Got a chance to shoot the new load which uses Swiss Powder . It shot good the group was good at 50 yards . So if your looking for a Good Black Powder load that cleans up easy call Powder Inc. and they can fix you up .

[larryo_1]

Rowdy:
I too use Swiss 1½ and have great results.  I have been using 76 grains in my 45-75.  Accurate and fun to shoot.  And, as you state--the cleanup is no sweat.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
The Swiss is very impressive powder . It's accurate and clean . This will be the Powder I use for Deer season . When I'm not using my 73 will use the 76 . Just love these rifles .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Who's got a spring Bear hunting Report

[Buffler Razz]

Great thread! While I do not yet own a '76 I do plan on using its younger brother, an original '86 on my deer hunt this fall. Drew a tag in unit 34, late October. And I used my '97 with brass shells and BP to drop a Merriam's gobbler last month. To me hunting with the "old ones" is becoming the way to go as I too become an "old one".

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I was on my way home yesterday when I noticed Several Ground Hogs consuming a soy bean field . The problem was I was unarmed . So looks like this afternoon I will arm myself and go after those soy bean eating machines . 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Hunting season is around the corner . Have you thought about hunting season yet ? No need to wait till the last minute .  Start planning that Hunt today .
             

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
What do you think about Swiss powder ? I have used it in my 45-60 and it worked real good .

[larryo_1]

I too use it in my 45-75 with good results.  Have shot 76 grains and 72 grains.  Both pretty good in the accuracy dept. but the 72 grains don't kick as hard.  Pretty easy to clean up after.

[hammer1]

Really trying to get the 76 set up for this year's huntin season. Ive learned alot about the rifle from the posts here, and would really like to take the chance to thank everyone for the help, and info. I cant get BP around here, so, Im doing some experimentation with different smokeless powders

[larryo_1]

Hammer:
I have been having great luck with 22.0 grains of 2400 rifle powder.  In my 45-75 I also put a tuft of kapok over the powder.  I know there are alot of folks who probably think I am nuts for using it but after about 40 or so years of using it, there have been no problems.  This is in my 45-75 not a 45-60.  Ken Waters states that 22.0 grains will work in both the 45-60 and the 45-75.  I just add a wee bit more in the form of the kapok.  My fps, at the muzzle, runs at about 1398.  The other day I shot a 0.9" group at 50 yards so that ain't too bad for these 75 year old eyes.  I use a Hoch custom mold of 350 grains cast with an alloy of 16:1 which is off an original box of ammo.

[hammer1]

thanks kindly for the advice LarryO, I may try that, I started experimenting with a load that I got from Silver Rings. Its 39 to 39.5 grs of varget , with a 350 gr lazercast. Shot a nice sub 2 inch group with my Uberti using it. I ordered tang sights for it , and a new acquired Uberti 73 sporting rifle with 24 in barrel in 45 colt. I have a load that Ive been using for a few years in a Smith 25, and recently in a Uberti El Patron that I hope gives some satisfying results. Much abliged for the alternative, I'll try the load, and see where it takes me.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
 Went shooting today . I sat targets at 50 ,75 , 100 yards . I shot about 2 boxes of ammo . All smokeless today trying to use up some old loads , why do we always end up with boxes of ammo that (we think we know what they are ? ) But it doesn't matter now ,they are gone . I plan on loading them back with Triple 7 and trying that . I can pick a pound of that up for $23 .
I also shot my 1873 today ,  the T7 was burning the 100 yard target up .

[Grizzly Adams]

Howdy
 Went shooting today . I sat targets at 50 ,75 , 100 yards . I shot about 2 boxes of ammo . All smokeless today trying to use up some old loads , why do we always end up with boxes of ammo that (we think we know what they are ? ) But it doesn't matter now ,they are gone . I plan on loading them back with Triple 7 and trying that . I can pick a pound of that up for $23 .
I also shot my 1873 today ,  the T7 was burning the 100 yard target up .

CRS?