1876 - 45-60 Trajectory like a rainbow

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

We have the Tennessee State Shoot next week so I have been shooting my new '76 (Uberti from Taylors & Co.) a lot to get use to it and to find a load that is fairly accurate at 200 yards.  I shot Trail Boss but was not that happy with it for 200 yards, but maybe it was the shooter and not the powder.  I settled on Hodgdon's Varget using a 300 grain bullet from Chey Bullets, and toilet paper as a filler. My loads were 35 grains of Varget. This is a "mild" load which is what I was seeking... for the state shoot at 200 yards the rifle is shot 5 rounds from the bench; 5 rounds from shooting sticks; and 5 rounds in the off-hand position.  Before the competition each shooter can shoot 2 rounds to satisfy sight adjustment. The 5 targets are from left to right, and the targets get smaller as you traverse to the right.  So, I figured from past shootings I needed to be able to get the lead to hit in an 8" circle, IF I could accomplish this, then I felt I would be in good company. I started at 100 yards just to see where the bullets were hitting with this load. Then moved to the 200 yard target. I am using a Marbles Improved Tang Sight... For the 200 yards I had to adjust the elevation to 123 clicks UP.  That my friends is a Rainbow Trajectory... (I did not Chrony the 35 grains of Varget... this is a mild load. But it was consistent.
Reminded me of the movie sequal "Lonesome Dove" where Augustas was shooting his 1860 Henry at some bad guys who were way out of range...
See the two pics below for 100 and 200 yards using this load.

[wildman1]

I had a H&R Buffalo Classic 45-70 that I used Varget in. I had to drop the load down to 47gs to get bullet stability. When I loaded with BP I could go with full loads. Cuts the rainbow down a little. WM

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

Wildman 1, Have not shot the holy black yet... For me, I am not really all that excited about shooting BP... Do not like the smell of it and the mess... but that is me.  Laughing think I will load some at 60 grains just to see what the 45-60 will do.  Assuming you have shot it at Long Range 200 or better... What kind of consistency did you experience using BP at the longer ranges?  Thanks in advance.

[Skyrider]

Nice shooting Mr. Hicks! I'll be getting down to brass tacks with my rifles after Thanksgiving and perhaps get those guns tested on some loads I intend to try. The weather here in my area has been warm indeed and I would rather shoot those rifles when it is in the mid-50's.

[Grapeshot]

I've got a Chappy 1876 w a 24 inch barrel and shoot 55 grains of 2Fg and a Lee 405 gr. HB lead RNFP.  And yes it does have a rainbow trajectory.  With 60 grains and a 300 gr RNFP it still lobs them in like a howitzer but at a shallower angle than the 405 grain slug.  Have fun.