Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
testing photo attachments
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
West of Fresno, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 172
Member Since:
April 26, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
January 8, 2018 - 7:31 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

1886, sn 90554, cal 50-110

DSC_0002.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_0004.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_0007.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_0008.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_0009.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_0010.JPGImage EnlargerIMG_1662.JPGImage Enlarger50-Ex-bore.JPGImage Enlarger

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.)

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
January 8, 2018 - 3:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
January 8, 2018 - 4:33 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Nice looking old rifle. What caliber is it? Big Larry

Avatar
New Mexico
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 1167
Member Since:
December 1, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
January 8, 2018 - 4:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.  

1876-4-1.jpg

"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." 

Avatar
West of Fresno, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 172
Member Since:
April 26, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
January 8, 2018 - 6:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

IMG_1660.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4969
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
January 8, 2018 - 7:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
January 8, 2018 - 11:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

IMG_1660.JPGImage Enlarger  

Bruce, that is not a rifle, it is a cannon. Great stuff my friend.   Big Larry

Avatar
West of Fresno, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 172
Member Since:
April 26, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
January 9, 2018 - 12:54 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

50-110-EX.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
January 9, 2018 - 4:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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 LarrySmileSmileSmile

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 564
Member Since:
September 19, 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
January 9, 2018 - 5:02 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Avatar
West of Fresno, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 172
Member Since:
April 26, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
January 9, 2018 - 6:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

“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

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2323
Member Since:
December 31, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
January 10, 2018 - 1:05 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

 

plane.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
West of Fresno, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 172
Member Since:
April 26, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
January 10, 2018 - 1:51 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Larry, yep that’s the airplane and here’s the guy making sounds of 50 Express bullets hitting heavy steel:

 

50-Ex.jpgImage Enlarger He’s smaller here than on the big screen but you’ve seen him.

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6280
TXGunNut: 4969
Chuck: 4571
1873man: 4281
steve004: 4160
Big Larry: 2323
twobit: 2291
TR: 1710
mrcvs: 1706
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12648
Posts: 109979

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1745
Members: 8791
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation