Special Interests - Groups & Societies > The Winchester Model 1876
Loading Data for the 45-60 WCF
Black River Smith:
Two Horses,
Just to clarify something about your text. The standard OCL of most of the 1876 cartridges is 1.89" max. I have cut my to 1.91" because of noticed 'fire-sizing' in my chamber. The OAL of all the 1876 loaded cartridges is 2.25". If you used Wikipedia as you guide it is wrong at the listing of 2.15". I used the Lyman 49th ED section of 1876 loading as my reference. I do have other cartridge conversion books that cooberate the 2.25" length.
Hope this helps you in the future.
Congrats on the new rifle and thanks for the very detailed summary of you experience. I also have a 45/60 but mine does like the Lyman 457191 bullet and original Winchester molded bullets.
Two Horses:
You are correct. 2.25. This is why you don't try to write late at night!
Slamfire:
Been working w/ IMR 3031 & 457191 @ .318gns, in my 45-60 .
I mostly shoot 5 shot groups.
IMR-3031,,,,,, Primer ,,,,,457191 ,,,,,case OAL,,,,,OAL .
5rds.,,,,,,31gns ,,,,,,,FED LR,,,,,,.318gns.,,,,,1.870 ,,,,,,,2.270 ,,,HI- 1359 fps. ,,,LOW- 1334 fps. = 25fps.
5rds.,,,,,30.5gns.,,,,,FED LR ,,,,,,.318gns. ,,,,1.875 ,,,,,,2.270 ,,,HI- 1314fps. ,,,,LOW- 1293 fps. =21fps.
5rds.,,,,,30.5 w/ .4 Dacron ,,Fed LR .318gns.,1.870 ,,,,,2.270 ,, HI-1299 fps. ,,,,Low - 1283 fps. =16fps.
I am shooting at 50yds. @ 2 1/2" red diamonds ( dang hard to see ) , getting 2 n1 holes & some 3 holes under a quarter , just can't get them all together ( lol ).
These loads are for my rifle YMMV,, be safe.
Maybe need more coffee ,,, Hootmix.
Advertising:
locolarry:
--- Quote from: Two Horses on August 17, 2021, 12:15:15 AM ---
We abandoned the Lyman .458 292 Grain RNFP bullet and began testing with Buffalo Arms 300 Grain .459 RNFP and a 325 Grain .460 Gas Check bullet made by a local. Both were had excellent crimp grooves and both worked well with AA5744 and IMR4198 powder. But the 325 Gas Check .460 bullet with 27 grains of 5744 produced the tightest groups. We tested this combination, using charges from 24 to 28 grains. My Centennial seemed to like the 27 grains of 5744 with the 325 GC bullet the best. It produced a nice tight group that went through the chronograph at 1380 FPS, within 10 FPS of the Steinel factory ammunition.
I happened to have some Hornady FTX bullets on the bench so I cut down some .45-70 cases to 1.785 and using 27 grains of 5744, I seated the FTX. This combination crimps well, slides right into the magazine tube, rides up the elevator and goes right into the chamber just as slick as can be. It also produced good groups.
With a good load in hand, I put long range soul sights on it and will be working on seeing just how far this 76 will throw a hunk of lead. Its been a fun a project, still lots to do yet. But I am looking forward to it!
--- End quote ---
I know its been 5 months since anyone posted on this but would like to ask Two Horses if there is anymore information you could add to the data using the Hornady {325 grain?}FTX bullets. Thanks
Two Horses:
Well, I am not sure exactly what you want to know. I used cut down .45-70 brass to 1.785 and installed a Federal large rifle primer. The powder charge was 27 grains of Accurate 5744 and the FTX bullet was seated using a Redding .45-60 die set. The bullet was seated and crimped at the base of the cannelure. The round performs well and is quite accurate at 100 yards. We were having some issue with pulling rounds off center due to a 10 pound trigger pull. I complained to a buddy about this who is a custom gun builder and he offers to take a look at it. So it has been at his shop getting cleaned up inside, the internals polished and the trigger break set to 4 pounds. Just got the rifle back and so I haven't had a chance to get out to the range and see what velocities and distances we get out of this round.
The miserable cold, snowy weather doesn't help!
If there is something specific you would like to know, please feel free to ask.
Dwayne
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version