Action strength

[Angel_Eyes]

This may not be politic, but, which has the stronger action,,,Winchester '76 or the Marlin '95? 

FYI, I just jumped in a hole and pulled the top closed!! 

AE
(Marlin '95,and'94, Winch '92)

[Dirty Brass]

'95 hands down.....

[rustyrelx]

95 Marlin no question about it   Don

[Hobie]

Even the ORIGINAL Marlin 95 was stronger.  You might get some argument on the 1881 Marlin from some quarters but it was likely stronger, too. 

So WHY ask such a question. 

[Angel_Eyes]

Hi Hobie, there ain't no 'why',,,,just trying to stir things up!!

On the Marlin Owners Forum, we are trying to get powder and bullet manufacturers to update their load data for modern firearms, so that we can use our rifles to their full potential, without damaging them, or us!!

AE

[Grizzly Adams]

Hi Hobie, there ain't no 'why',,,,just trying to stir things up!!

That's what I figured.    The members of this group have not chosen the model 1876 based on its great strength - I would gravitate towards it's replacement the Winchester model 1886 for that!  The interest of this group tends to be more in terms of the history, study, and use of one of the most elegant expressions of the Victorian era gun maker's art.  Few of us are focused on exploring the outer  limits of the action's "potential."  We are interested in the development of safe and accurate loads, and in sharing that knowledge with each other.

Feel free to visit and contribute if you can.

[Angel_Eyes]

Absolutely Griz, safe and accurate!
(I just recently missed out on a '76, gorgeous, unfired with a host of extra's,,,out bid by a hoarder who is keeping it "as an investment".

I offered to build him some mild loads, but he refused point blank,,"I'm not going to shoot it,,that would de-value it!"

He's got more closet Queens than anyone I know, grrrrr!!

AE

[Hobie]

Mr. Adams' reply bested mine.  He was right on target.  This isn't a forum concerned with achieving the best/strongest but rather experiencing the path to that point, i.e. to re-live the journey. 

Historically, I think the Marlin 1881 DID in fact give Winchester the willies as competition for the 1876 which is why they were so desperate for and thankful to receive the blessing of John Browning's design of the 1886.  Part of that advantage for the 1881 might have been action strength but mostly it was action length or compactness relative to the 1876. 

[rustyrelx]

Hobie: The fact that the 1881 used the Govt issue 45-70 didn't hurt the issue either.
Mr. Adams: I agree wholeheartedly. I have 76's for historically correct tools. I load historically correct ammo also.
  If some one wants a hot load they should use something akin to their wants. 1886 Win. Ruger, 95 Marlin(new model).  ::)The 1876 Winchester is big and clunky and thats exactly why we like them.
   Don  rustyrelx

[larryo_1]

RR: Amen to that comment.  I got two '86's and a 71.  I got my '76 because I wanted it and not to try out "HOT" loads but to have fun with it.  My "HOT" loads are in the 86's and the 71 and they are not very "HOT" either as I DONOT like the crap kicked out of me.  I refer to Elmer Keith when he said "Big and Slow" does the job.  Not only have I read him saying that but he told me that same comment personally when I met him back in 68 or 69 or whenever.  I was shooting my 45-90 and he asked me "What'r ya shootin kid?" I told him a 45-90 and he slapped me on the back and said "Damn fine rifle-owned a bunch of 'em myself!"  So the bottom line here is I shoot BP 'cause I like it and other than sometimes getting kicked around a bit, it is fun.  I was in the Flathead Muzzle loaders years ago and we shot alot of BP both in muzzle stuffers and cartridge weapons so been there-done that and never had to worry about a blowup which could happen in a '76.  If I could afford it I would have an original along with my Uberti.  I got a shirttail that has an original '76 in 45-60.  Loves it but his knuckles drag on the ground at the end of a long dry hunting day.   

[john boy]

The interest of this group tends to be more in terms of the history, study, and use of one of the most elegant expressions of the Victorian era gun maker's art.  Few of us are focused on exploring the outer  limits of the action's "potential."  We are interested in the development of safe and accurate loads, and in sharing that knowledge with each other.

... And Grizzly, the posters here since 2007 are a testament to your summary purpose for the forum.  It's been a great ride and it's the 'pointed to' forum on other websites when someone has a question about '76's. Learned much. Even learned that there were PP bullets for the '76 from Buck.  Of course, had to make some and give them a ride. 

Personally, Thanks All for Your Rock Solid Questions, Contributions and Knowledge Transfers!