uberti's 1876 in .45-60

[rvtrav]

  Hello to all,

   I hate to say I've been bitten, but a while ago I bought the Uberti replica 1873 rifle in .45 colt, and really really like it!!
  Now I am seeing an  1876 in .45-60 on their web site, I should learn to enjoy what I got, but human nature being what it is.....I am already day dreaming about a bigger lever gun to play with.

  Does anybody have one? or has anyone been shooting one?
  If so, is making brass as simple as trimming down .45/70 brass?
  what do you load? what is the preformance VS the .45/70?

   Thanks in advance, Rvtrav
 

[Mikey]

rvtrav:  You may wish to drop this one on down to one of the black powder forums for clarification. 

I believe the 45-70 cartridge came in two loadings, one for the Springfield Trap Door models and the Sharps Rifles, and one fo the lever action rifles.  I recall the cartridge for the lever action rifles was loaded with the lighter bullet (300 gn) and 55 gns of black powder while the other loading for the single shot rifles was a 500-550 gn slug over 70 gns of black powder.  But, I could be wrong.....so please ask this in one of the black powder forums. 

Are you sure you didn't 'typo' and mean the 40-65 cartridge?  Mikey.

[StrawHat]

There have been several articles in the popular press about the 1876 in general and the 45-60 in particular.

Handloader magazine comes to mind with an article by Venturino.

As I recall he trimmed 45-70 brass to the correct length and used the Lyman 457122 (Gould 330 grain HP) bullet and black powder.

He may have used other powders but it is still a toggle link action and therefore not real strong.  If I can find the issue I will post the month/year and issue number.

Also you might check out the open range forum.  A bunch of cowboy action shooters who have most of the new toys as soon as they are available.

Personally, I find the 73 to be a heavy rifle to begin with, the 76 is bigger and heavier with only minimal increase in power. 

Of course the 76 could be converted to the 50 Express cartidge but it is still a toggle action and should be kept to factory equivalent loads.

If you are looking for an better increase, consider the Marlin 1895 (45-70), or some iteration of the Winchester 1886.  Heck, a Win 92 in 45 Colt can be loaded heavier than the 45-60.

[Lloyd Smale]

buddy has one and likes it. We just went buffalo hunting and he shot a cow with it. I dont know his loads but i know he was shooting a 300 rcbs round flat at about 1200 fps out of cut down 4570 brass. Other then some quality control problems like cheap sights and  poor wood he likes the gun alot.