Would like to buy a Chaparral in .50-95

[Doc Everyday]

I am new to the forum, so I may have missed many of the answers to my questions.  I am thinking about buying a Chaparral Arms 1876 in .50-95.  Does anyone make brass cheaper than Bertram and who makes dies? Does anyone have loading data in smokeless? Has anyone tried Blackhorn 209 in these rifles?

Thanks,
Doc

[Grizzly Adams]

I am new to the forum, so I may have missed many of the answers to my questions.  I am thinking about buying a Chaparral Arms 1876 in .50-95.  Does anyone make brass cheaper than Bertram and who makes dies? Does anyone have loading data in smokeless? Has anyone tried Blackhorn 209 in these rifles?

Thanks,
Doc

Well, I don't have a 76 in this caliber, but I'll try to help with some of your questions.  I believe Buffalo Arms sells brass, and C&H Die and Tool lists the dies.  http://www.ch4d.com/  I have had good luck with their dies in other calibers, but no first hand experience with the 50-95.  I would call them and discuss it, as I know they make their 45-75 dies in two versions - Win and Uberti.  Lee may also have dies for the 50-95.  Bullets can be had from Buffalo Arms as well.

As to powders, I would start with BP or one of the subs.  As you may know, there is NO tested smokeless data currently for any of the 1876 calibers.  That said, many of us are developing (carefully and cautiously) loads, and so far, success has been good when velocities are kept to BP standards.  Not too many of these beasties out in the field yet, so I can't provide any more info in that regard.  Both BP and Smokeless loadings are available from Ten-X.

Welcome to the fire!

PS:  Blackhorn 209 is a smokeless powder that smokes.  It must be cleaned with solvent like any other smokeless powder.  It was/is formulated for in-line muzzle loaders that use shotgun primers.  I think American Pioneer, Goex Pinnacle or Pyrodex would be better choices.  Just my .02 cents.

[Chuck 100 yd]

The Chaparral web site lists 28gr IMR 4198 as a smokeless load for the .50-95 . I sent them an e-mail a month or so back.
Sent it on a Sat. recieved a reply on Sun. direct from Bresica Italy. They said the loads were from an independent outfit in Germany who test loads for them. They said to reduce the load by 10% and work up untill it was the way I wanted.
I loaded 7 rounds with 26gr.IMR 4198 and a Lyman PB bullet of 354 gr. 30:1 lubed with SPG ,WLR primer Burtram brass. On the first shot you could hear the hammer drop and I looked down the barrel to be sure the bullet exited. It had so a check of the 50yd.target showed a hole 10" below the normal impact point when loaded with 70gr.ffg black.
The next 5 shots , I raised the barrel to place the powder against the primer and ended with a fine 2"group at 50yd.aprox 4" below expected point of impact. On the 7th shot I forgot to raise the muzzle and the shot fired but without enough energy to expell the bullet and I had a stuck bullet aprox 9" from the chamber end.
I am going to try this again using a Magnum primer . If the powder is that position sensitive,it will not be used in this rifle again.
PS each load was weighed to 1/10 gr.

[evodude]

I just picked one up from CDNN for $699 BRAND NEW!!! By far the best price I found anywhere. I used .348 brass to form the brass, I used a set of dies from ch4d, along with an expander that took the brass to its final journey 45 cal. to 50cal. That came from them also. I used a .375 Ultra first, then a .41 mag die, and finished it off with a 45 acp. die to get to 45 cal. All dies I had on my shelf. Bullets can be had from Montana Bullets, 340 grain .513's, which is what ya want. Havent shot it yet, will post when I do.