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April 26, 2015
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1886, sn 90554, cal 50-110
1894 build date, returned to factory for repairs a couple years later according to Cody letter. BK
(Editing note: I tried posting these photos elsewhere but they only appeared as links that others were unable to open. Nice, solid gun, nice wood, nice bore and muzzle, and no remaining blue. Shooting BP “equivalent” ammunition, I was disappointed in the 20 round ($$) group of about 10 inches at 100 yards. With this ammunition, recoil seemed less than that of a 45-70 “cowboy” load.)
November 7, 2015
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Very nice, sounds like you need a better load. Hope you reload, if not this would be a great time to start. Pretty sure your rifle is capable of much better accuracy.
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If you are shooting 45-70 Government I’ve gotten very good results with 17.5 grains of Unique behind a Lyman #457191 292 grain cast bullet. I also like AA 5744 with 38.2 grains and the same bullet.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
April 26, 2015
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Larry, it is 50-110. Until now, I’ve never thought about getting involved with reloading but this big bore Mod 1886 (I have 45-70 and 45-90 as well) has me thinking about it. When I begin, I’ll be back here to conduct a brain drain for info. BK
November 7, 2015
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Reloading, for me anyway, is an essential part of collecting old Winchesters. I can’t imagine not being able to shoot these old guns and I also can’t imagine paying the tariff for loaded cartridges in these obscure chamberings. I’ve been loading much longer than I’ve been collecting but nowadays it seems I enjoy loading the more unusual cartridges. No, I don’t load the 50-110 but if you’ll PM me I may have some resources you’ll find helpful.
Bruce Koligian said
Larry, it is 50-110. Until now, I’ve never thought about getting involved with reloading but this big bore Mod 1886 (I have 45-70 and 45-90 as well) has me thinking about it. When I begin, I’ll be back here to conduct a brain drain for info. BK
Bruce, that is not a rifle, it is a cannon. Great stuff my friend. Big Larry
April 26, 2015
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It should be a cannon. The loads that were made up for me must be for sissies because it doesn’t kick much at all. My nickel steel ’86 extra light 45-70 has a serious kick to it but still nothing like my Model 71. I’m thinking about the possibility of loading some BP rounds made to same specs as what was commercially available 120 years ago.
TXGun Nut, I’ll contact you when I get closer to the reloading adventure. Currently, I”ve stashed away enough ammo in WCF calibers (32, 38, 44 to go with my Colts) and long rounds (45-70 through l’il sister’s powderpuff 50 EX) to keep me shooting until I learn how to load.
Bruce
If you think that rifle has a loud muzzle blast, try firing a Winchester cannon. 10 gauge blanks, and very, very, loud, and lots of smoke. Used to have one in our collection. Lot of fun shooting it off New Years and other special occasions. My only M1886 is a 40-65 and I doubt I will ever shoot it. Pea shooter compared to yours. Big Larry
Folks,
I have shot my 50 EXPRESS rifles but little. One each in the 1876 and the 1886. Not overly impressed with initial shooting, but also did way too little to say I did any real load development. Not sure I wish to invest the time, etc, to try and work up good loads in either EXPRESS loading. However, I don’t think either rifle had a sterling reputation for great accuracy. They were designed for relatively close range work with significant transfer of energy to the target. The deluxe rifle pictured sure seems to have a pristine bore, and I would think it could do better than the reported group size at 100 yards, though. They move a relatively poor ballistic coefficient bullet at low muzzle velocity (compared to more modern loads/rifles). But when hit with some piece of lead a half inch across, transfer of energy seems pretty significant.
I would love to have the rifle shown, and perhaps spend more time casting good 512 diameter bullets, and playing load development to see what would result. My 1886 has been shot but very little, and I don’t wish to change that. Ditto with the 1876.
Tim
April 26, 2015
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“They were designed for relatively close range work with significant transfer of energy to the target.” Yes, I tried to imagine a Cape buffalo standing 100 yards away, looking at me and pawing the dirt, (I’ve never seen one in the flesh.) I easily could’ve placed those rounds into the heart-lung/shoulder area of the bull at 100 yards or less. The action is slick (not worn) and I had 8 rounds to play with while standing my ground. BUT I do think it’s capable of shooting better than that. My 45 caliber 1886s (45-70 and 45-90) will shoot 4 inch groups at that distance. They’re antique designs and I don’t expect them to shoot like a Model 1903.
Incidentally, in the golden era of Hollywood movie making, there were introductions used by various studios. RKO had the radio tower (“Buzz buzz buzz”) and Universal had the little cartoon airplane circling the globe. Remember? Then there was a studio (??) that showed a lean, shirtless guy swinging a long mallet and hitting a large brass gong. THAT is the sound these 50 caliber bullets make when impacting my 4 x 8 foot, 1.5 inch thick inclined bullet backstop. 45-70s make a “thud” and 30-06 bullets make a sharp “smack!” I guess that’s the sound of a “significant transfer of energy.”
Okay, hope all of you have a good day. Bruce
Bruce Koligian said
“They were designed for relatively close range work with significant transfer of energy to the target.” Yes, I tried to imagine a Cape buffalo standing 100 yards away, looking at me and pawing the dirt, (I’ve never seen one in the flesh.) I easily could’ve placed those rounds into the heart-lung/shoulder area of the bull at 100 yards or less. The action is slick (not worn) and I had 8 rounds to play with while standing my ground. BUT I do think it’s capable of shooting better than that. My 45 caliber 1886s (45-70 and 45-90) will shoot 4 inch groups at that distance. They’re antique designs and I don’t expect them to shoot like a Model 1903.Incidentally, in the golden era of Hollywood movie making, there were introductions used by various studios. RKO had the radio tower (“Buzz buzz buzz”) and Universal had the little cartoon airplane circling the globe. Remember? Then there was a studio (??) that showed a lean, shirtless guy swinging a long mallet and hitting a large brass gong. THAT is the sound these 50 caliber bullets make when impacting my 4 x 8 foot, 1.5 inch thick inclined bullet backstop. 45-70s make a “thud” and 30-06 bullets make a sharp “smack!” I guess that’s the sound of a “significant transfer of energy.”
Okay, hope all of you have a good day. Bruce
Bruce, here is a Winchester airplane like the one at RKO, I think. Gave it to my stepson who is a retired Border Patrol pilot. Big Larry
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