Question? Got hunting Pics? Post them here!

quigleysharps4570 · December 17, 2007, 06:24:40 PM

This being the 1876 forum...gonna have hunting stories and pics pertaining to this rifle in this forum?
If so...I'd sure enjoy hearing about them and seeing pics.

Grizzly Adams · December 17, 2007, 07:20:10 PM

Quote from: quigleysharps4570 on December 17, 2007, 06:24:40 PM
This being the 1876 forum...gonna have hunting stories and pics pertaining to this rifle in this forum?
If so...I'd sure enjoy hearing about them and seeing pics.

You bet!

These rifles were designed to be game getters, so folks who have hunting stories and pics pertaining to the 1876, are encouraged to post them. I happened to have it on good authority that at least one of our members has taken a Buffalo with an 1876.

Hoof Hearted · December 17, 2007, 07:32:14 PM

I've got two Pigs and a Whitetail this season.

Full case of Swiss fffg and a RCBS 300 FN (GC) pretty soft, with SPG lube.

Whacked 'em deader than well you know

quigleysharps4570 · December 17, 2007, 09:54:54 PM

Alrighty then...let's get to seeing some pics then gents.

Grizzly Adams · December 17, 2007, 11:27:15 PM

I have updated the subject line on this thread.

Hoof Hearted · December 17, 2007, 11:28:34 PM

Quote from: Grizzly Adams on December 17, 2007, 11:27:15 PM
I have updated the subject line on this thread.

Pics?

I went hunting with a rifle not a camera

Grizzly Adams · December 17, 2007, 11:57:16 PM

I know what ya mean, pard.

quigleysharps4570 · December 18, 2007, 08:20:35 AM

Same here usually...but was given a camera this year for that purpose.
This season was my 45-60's first action...ended up just shooting a doe...but the ole rifle done good.

Shot her from my tree stand at 19 yards...dropped like lightning hit her.

Hobie · December 18, 2007, 08:41:28 AM

RJohns94 has since sold this rifle to a fella from Alaska but here's a cull Yak (yes, Yak) he shot with his .45-75 this fall.

Buck Stinson · December 18, 2007, 11:39:03 AM

Over the years, I've killed several buffalo with different '76,s in my collection. I've shot three with various .45-75's including this one with an original carbine. I took one with a .50 Express and another with a .45-60 WCF. I won't use that caliber again.

Adios,
Buck

Grizzly Adams · December 18, 2007, 12:30:29 PM

Outstanding, Buck!

What load and bullet were you using? I would sure like to hear more about your experiences hunting Buffalo with the 45-75. Details, pard!

Buck Stinson · December 18, 2007, 05:40:48 PM

Griz,
The load I use most often in all of my .45-75 WCF guns is 70 grains of 2F black and a 350 grain bullet cast from an original Winchester iron mold. This buff was shot at about 80 yards, one shot low on the body just behind the elbow on the front leg. The bullet went in and out the other side at a forward angle, taking heart and lungs. Good clean shot.

Adios,
Buck

Grizzly Adams · December 18, 2007, 07:03:29 PM

Quote from: Buck Stinson on December 18, 2007, 05:40:48 PM
Griz,
The load I use most often in all of my .45-75 WCF guns is 70 grains of 2F black and a 350 grain bullet cast from an original Winchester iron mold. This buff was shot at about 80 yards, one shot low on the body just behind the elbow on the front leg. The bullet went in and out the other side at a forward angle, taking heart and lungs. Good clean shot.

Adios,
Buck

Excellent performance. I have a friend who swears that you need a 375 H&H to take down a Buffalo! I really think that the old bullet from the original molds is the ticket. At least for the Winchesters! Time will tell on the others

Thanks, Buck.

Buck Stinson · December 19, 2007, 09:47:56 AM

Ya, I've heard too that the 375 H&H was the caliber most prefered by the old hide hunters. We were on a hunt one year, when a hunter in another party shot a large cow three times through the front end at 65 yards. He was using a Remington 700 in 7MM mag. After the third shot, she was still standing. One of the hunters in our group shot her one time with a .50-70 rolling block sporter and knocked her off her feet. A well placed shot and a slow, heavy bullet are far more effective on buffalo. It's like getting hit with a soft ball at 400 miles an hour. It's always best when the bullet energy is used up inside an animal. Even a through and through shot will work fine if it's in the right spot. Many hunters shoot a buffalo too high up and it does very little damage. Buffalo are built different than most large game animals. All the vitals are low, between the front legs and the chest. The .45-75 WCF is an exceptional cartridge, when loaded with black powder. You could certainly hunt any big game in North America with this cartridge, as long as you keep in mind the effective range. I've shot 30" steel plate at 600 yards with one of my original rifles, using the special order long range sights that came on the gun from the factory. Fifteen hits out of twenty shots wasn't a problem. But, I would never hunt at anything close to that range. In my opinion, the best effective range for hunting small and medium size game with the .45-75 WCF, would be 200 yards max.

Adios,
Buck