New to me Chaparral .40-60

[senormik]

Hi gents,

I had the opportunity to order a Chaparral .40-60 for about $575, so I went ahead and purchased it.  I've been following this board for about a year now, and I've read all about the QC problems these Chaparrals have.  So I've got a bit of trepedation at the thought that it will just be an overpriced paper weight!  Haven't picked it up yet.  I was told by the seller that it had the cartridge lip at the base of the bolt, that the cartridge lifter did not hang beneath the frame when the lever was closed, the lever didn't have excess play to it, and that the hammer fell cleanly when the trigger was pulled.  So hopefully it it will feed shells and go boom like it's supposed to.  It will probably get wrapped up and put under the Christmas tree, but I'll give a report on it after the beginning of the year.

My question is regarding ammunition.  If it works properly, I plan to eventually reload for it.  But to try it out initially, I'll buy a box of something.  Would you recommend Ten-X (which seems much more expensive) or Buffalo Arms?  Pros and cons of each?  Based on the Buffalo Arms website, it looks like they offer a .406" bullet for the Chaparrals and a .410" bullet for the Ubertis.  I see that the Ten-X load has a 260 grain bullet vs. a 210 grain for Buffalo Arms.  Any difference in feeding reliability?   Does either brand have an edge in terms of the quality of the brass for reloading?  Any other considerations I should be aware of?

Thanks for your suggestions!  I've wanted an 1876 for quite a while, and I'm looking forward to trying it out.  This will be my first lever-action, as well as my first 1876.

[Joe Lansing]

    Buy some 40-65 Starline brass from Midway or other dealers and trim them down.

                                                               J.L.

[senormik]

Thanks Joe.  It sounds like that will probably be the best way to go for reloading.  Once I verify that the rifle works properly I'll get some dies and brass.

As to my question about factory ammo, I notice that this thread has received 140+ views and only one response.  Is it a completely noob question that doesn't bear consideration?  Perhaps Ten-X and Buffalo Arms ammo is completely comparable?  Or just not that many .40-60 shooters out there?

[ndnchf]

Congrats on your new rifle - I hope its a winner for you 

Its not that nobody wants to answer your question. I think that since its such an easy cartridge to reload, not many people have bought both types of factory made ammo and can give their opinions.  A lot of folks here read all the threads regardless of what caliber their rifle is (mine's a .50-95) and there are a lot of lurkers, like yourself ( up to now) who don't own one, but enjoy reading about them.

Whichever ammo you get, be sure to post your opinion for others to learn from.

[senormik]

I appreciate your perspective, and the welcome!   Makes a lot of sense to me.  I'll be sure to let everyone know how the ammo stacks up once I get both brands. 

As long as everything works well, I'll look forward to speaking with everyone regarding reloading for the .40-60.  I'll be glad to be able to finally share 1876 experiences with you experienced shooters soon.

[Jacobitejack]

I am new to the sight and just found your post.  I have a 40-60.  I've trimmed my 45-70 brass which I had resized to 40-65 for my
sharps, down to the 40-60.  It is fairly easy.  I'm trying to work up a smokless load.  I have a Lyman .403 200g mold but it yeilds a  .409 diam bullet.  I don't have a bullet sizing die yet, and am perplexed about the .006 difference.  Have you worked up any loads?

[evodude]

Realize this post has been out there for awhile but I also shoot a .40-60 Chappie, and wanted to comment on a load I worked up for it. I wanted to get 1500 fps or slightly better out of my wheel weight cast Lyman 200 grainers. Worked up to 27 grains of IMR 4198 and got 1550 fps with ok accuracy, about 3" at 50 yards. I could ring the 10" steel plate at 100 yds every shot while resting against the bench. I guess itll do fine for deer sized game, not a tack driver with my cast boolits, but ample. Didnt use a filler- seems to be enough powder for full burn. I wouldve played with some aa5744 as well, but my canister needs re-filling!

[Slim High]

Where does one find a '76 for $575?

[Dirty Brass]

Where does one find a '76 for $575?

IIRC CDNN had them for sale awhile back in that $$ range...