Dad (now 85) has a 95% or better condition Winchester .45-75 1876 Sport model that he's had since he was 10 years old. Him being an ex-101st Airborne Sargent (Korean Conflict) needless to say this firearm has been pampered over the past 7 decades and the photos show it. Each year he takes it out and oils it, applies a good wax to the stock.

He's flying out from Minnesota for his youngest grandson's final senior year in Football for Senior Night in Oct this fall and I'm surprising him with 100 rounds of .45-75 ammunition. He said he's not shot the rifle since the late 40's (A Garand replaced the Winchester as his "Go To" deer rifle after the war).

The first step is ....taking the step and ordering the brass, which I did. Now I will be motiviate to purchase the die set, black powder and lead bullets however this will follow in the next few months (I have to go slow on ordering as I'm ramping up my own supply of 5 calibers in prep for the Hillary win Wife "Flak" starts peppering my fuselage when I'm overspending in enemy territory)

They will be ready when he gets here in October.

Any old winchester loaders here recommend a good black powder? I'd like to keep this a low pressure round.

A little history of the rifle before I show the pictures, in his own words:
"Serial # 57XXX, The rifle is King's Improvement, Patented March 20,1866 ....October 20, 1880. Round Barrel, Interior Brass Shell Feed and Extractor. with Lever Action. Rear fold down Elevated Sight. It is really in good shape for its age and has never been refinished. I bought this gun in the early 1940's at around 12 years old and used it as a youngster for deer hunting....at my Grandpa's Resort at Cass Lake, MN.

During the second World War there were not any new firearms for sale. My Uncle Ed who was a traveling salesman bought it in Iowa from one of his customers before he was drafted into the Second World War. He use to take me deer hunting and put me in the woods somewhere on a log while he went off and tried to chase deer my way. I paid for it from the money I made at that early age by taking people out fishing from my Gramp's resort on Cass Lake. It cost me a whole $10.00 that was a lot of money for a kid in the 40's. So basically that is all the info I have on it."


I have since found out with some research and local experts in the Winchester field that he has a rare collectible if I am not mistaken. Either way, I made sure he was insured up to $20k for the rifle on his insurance rider. I am sure you folks know more about this rifle than I do as my expertise area, as green as it is, is in Trapdoors. I welcome you to share your thoughts!




























I looked around and shopped around for a nice wood box to put Dad's rounds in.
Considering Dad was born in the depression (1930) he'd prefer something that didn't cost as much.
So I thrift shopped, found a faux leather Trunk/Chest looking item for $2.00 that was reasonably stout! (Turns out they're on Amazon from China for $17)
He loves a bargain even though he's very well off. That's a trait of that era!

Then I added a 5/8 particle board base, and a 1/2" piece of old cedar fence on top of that of which I will drill out with a Forstner drill for each shell.

(The shells are just set in to check for clearance and whatnot)

My neighbor is taking a 1.3" backstrip of cedar fence and burning "45-75 WCF" onto it. When he's done, we'll stain it, put it together and add the cartridges.




1.5 hrs of dinking around getting everything set up so I didn't crush a $1.80 shell case. I only had 20!
Only made one. Now that I have the dies set up, downhill tomorrow.

Bullets: Bitteroots Components 350 gr .458 dia, SPG lubed bullet
Brass: JBA .45/75 (Annealed slightly)
Primer: Federal Lg Rifle Magnum
Powder: 64 volume Pyrodex RS (41.9 grains weight) low pressure load.
See text above each picture below

Bitterroot 350 gr .458 SPG lubed bullets


I started off with a flare of .005 to accept the .458 dia bullet


A Drop- tube was used to add 64 grs of Pyrodex RS Select into shell casing, leaving .440 between neck base and top of cartridge. Then a John Walters .060 vegetable wad was added and compressed with a Montana Precision Swaging Compression Die. to .500 allowing for another 1/8 inch of compression with bullet seating.



After adjusting the bullet seating depth on the RCBS die set, I added the proper crimp to the crimp groove. You can see the taper crimp in this picture. OAL is 2.250. (I cannot chamber cast the rifle since it is 1739 miles away. So I have to go with what Winchester published back in the day.)


The final bullet, cleaned up, ready for Box Presentation. 19 left to go!


Size perspective: The '45s' cartridge family. .45ACP 230 gr, .45/75 350 gr and .45/70 500 gr (old cartridge)


Final post will be reloaded shells, box presentation.

And hopefully a test shot with Dad's rifle when I get back there this fall/winter.

Just a thought. Would he be able to take them back on the plane to go home?

Cool old rifle
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

What a rifle!!! What a gift honoring your dad....he will be very proud to say the least.

Randy

Sportsdad60:

That rifle is called the Model 1876. It looks like an expanded Model 1873. It's a heavy bugger! I'm surprised a 12 yo could heft it.

Maybe you're already too far along to make a change, but I'd strongly recommend using a non-corrosive black powder substitute other than Pyrodex (which IS also corrosive). Subs produce the same amount of satisfying smoke & acceptable chamber pressure as BP; otherwise, you MUST clean all metal parts (not just the bore) ASAP after firing (w/in 24 hrs.) or risk damaging a very fine antique. In those actions, you'll find corrosive residue on the muzzle, brass elevator, elevator channel, & even below the elevator. Learn how to remove the side plates w/a correct size hollow ground screwdriver, remove the two links connected to the elevator, etc. Clean with a petroleum based bore cleaner (e.g. Butch's Bore Shine) & wipe all surfaces off w/a silicone patch. Lightly oil action bearing surfaces.

You might consider spending the bucks to get a letter from the Cody Firearms Museum as to exactly when it was shipped & where.

You're a fine man helping Grandpa w/his ol' boomer. You two are fortunate to have each other.

Best Wishes & Good Luck,
Hang-Fire Hank

Kewl................

__________________
dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Were it up to me, I would use real blackpowder...for whatever reasons my guns all shoot much more consistenly and more accurate than with any of the substitutes...don't know why, just that it is.

Clean up is very simple and easy...hot soapy water and I am good to go.

Randy

Unless you really like the old-time Black Powder-like smoke for historical correctness, I'd advise using smokeless powder instead of BP or any of the BP substitutes. Both IMR 4198 and 2400 are excellent choices with any of the old BP-era .45 cartridges when loaded to similar muzzle velocities (normally in the low 'teens). I've read that AA5744 is also very good in the BP oldie calibers. Even the pistol powders (like Unique) work very well in them. And all are far cleaner and less corrosive than BP or BP substitutes. You just must be very careful to avoid overloads.

==============
This site has a great deal of information about the M1876, including case forming and reloading: Winchester 1876 | Outlawswinchesters.jouwweb.nl

Yes, I would have used AA5744 instead. 2400, IMR4759 or even Trail Boss could have been used too.

Doing this for your Dad is a very good thing, you should be proud. I'm betting if your Dad is like most from his generation he will be speechless when he sees your gift. They are so used to doing for others they never expect to be given a gift.

Well done Sir, well done!

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Great project. I especially enjoy seeing the old ones kept on active duty. Thanks for sharing.

Arik, yes. As long as it is in checked baggage, secured in a box.

Here is the letter I got for him last year for the rifle.

Skeet028, tried replying to your PM but your inbox is full. Here was my message-->
I am debating whether or not I should head down to a local black powder shop I've just discovered and get some Goex or Swiss FFg rather than load the remaining 19 with Pyrodex RS Select.

These rounds will probably never be fired by Dad and are more of a display type thing so I don't know if it makes any difference if they have real BP or synthetic. By the way, I shoot Pyrodex and BP in my .45-70 and the Pyrodex actually cleans up a lot easier than the BP does!

Swiss bp seems a bit hotter , compared to Goex . You could drop back to Swiss 1 1/2 and be fine . I have reloaded for several older winchesters , including an 1876 in 40-60 and we used AA 5744 . I have found Accurate Arms Powder co. very helpful when researching loads for the older guns . I use 5744 when reloading my winchester in 38-55 . It was shipped in 1897 .
From what I have researched , the 1876 was developed to give hunters a more powerful rifle . The 1876 Worlds Fair was coming to Philadelphia and Winchester wanted something new . It was the Centennial Anniversary of the United States . The 1876 was offered in several calibers . If memory serves me right , 45-60 , 45-75 and 40-60 , followed later by the 50-95 were the choices . The Canadian Northwest Mounted Police used the 1876 in 45-75 for many years beginning in 1883 . The Apache warrior Geronimo held an 1876 the day he surrendered (He was NOT captured) . They found great favor with many including a very young Teddy Roosevelt . They were produced till about the end of 1897 , or there abouts depending on which source you are reading from . History sources varies some , this is just what I have read .

I hope you realize how rare and valuable your dad's gun is...
1876's are rare to begin with, and your dad's gun is exceptional.

I shot antique single shot and Winchester rifles for a number of years. We usually used 2400 powder in the old BP guns in order to preserve their condition. I had a very good load worked up for a 44-77 Sharps bottleneck but cannot find my notes as this has been a few years ago. I do understand that your loads will probably never be shot, however. You might try 2400 in your Trapdoor, though. Beautiful looking project you've turned out!

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

I would have probably used Trail Boss myself unless I already had BP. I have heard 5744 is a good powder, but I have also heard you must be very diligent with.
As far as carrying on a plane, I would think loading with BP might be considered as an explosive that may not fly (no pun intended). On the other hand, you can ship USPS or UPS.

I am sure you know this, but it case you dont. All what I call sideplate guns Post Henry were marked King's Improvement, which was the adaptation of the Henry for a loading gate and forearm versus the split tube and tube loading system of the original Henry design. It started with the 1866 Winchester and covers the 1873 and 1876. The solid receiver Browning designs were not marked as such as they were a different design which incorporated the gate from the beginning.

The 76 is like a 73 on steroids as is the 86 to the 92. They are massive guns.

I also use AA5744 in my 38/55 and 45/70. matter of fact it's a more accurate load with 405 gr in the 45/70 than BP.

Dewalt, great link!
I've researched the 1876 a lot but had not come across that link!

29alky, good point on the BP vs smokeless and shipping. I will have to research.

FWIW, Dad's rifle is insured for roughly $20,000.00 with a rider policy. He has quite a collection but this is the most valuable!

Another tidbit you may or may not know is your rifle is known as a RBFMCB, or Round Barrel, Full Magazine, Crescent Buttplate

I think this is a great gift idea.

Great rifle! Your project is a great tribute to your dad too. Enjoy time with him, it slips by faster than you think.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Finished.

"On the other hand, you can ship USPS or UPS."

Ammunition cannot be shipped legally by USPS.

The day I lost my Dad,I lost both a father and my best friend.But I think you already realised that yourself ...for going through all this for him.
Both of you enjoy these moments together;time flies away so fast.And congrats to your father for preserving such a fine piece of history.
Qc

I urge you to buy "Winchester Lever Legacy" by Clyde "Snookie" Williamson if memory serves me right... my copy is in my basement reloading room. It is a huge hardback reloading manual for every cartridge that one of the old Winchesters was chambered in... giving many smokeless powder loads even for the early 1873's, 1876's, 1886's plus other models.

Clyde & his friend developed their data using their own collections.. the .50 Express data was developed by using a deluxe takedown antique Winchester 1886... probably a $50,000 rifle. I paid $75.00 for our copy back in 2000... they can be found on Ebay & Amazon for similar or less cost now. If you load for any of the old Winchester lever rifles, you will enjoy this fine huge old manual, it has many great pix & also tells how the loads did in various game animals.

By the way, that is a dern nice old rifle, congrats on having it.

__________________
be safe,enjoylife,journey well

If you load any more try the substitute triple7 . It is not corrosive . Great post.

Eddie