50-95 reloading manual

[Sgt Ryan]

Where can I get a reloading manual with information on the 50-95? 

[Grizzly Adams]

Morning, Sgt.

Well, the short answer is "No where."  There is no reloading manual, or for that fact, very little published smokeless data for any of the 1876 family of cartridges.  They just never made the jump from BP to smokeless.  Some data is being developed with the advent of the new replicas, but the 50-95 is still pretty fresh on the market!

The original factory loading was a 312 grain bullet, solid or hollowpoint loaded over 95 grains of BP.  Alloy used was 1/16.  Published velocity for the factory BP load was proported to be 1557 fps with a ME of 1615.

The only published smokeless load I have seen is from Cartridges Of The World.  It calls for 26grains of IMR 4198 with a 285 grain bullet or 23 grains of IMR4198 with a 350 grain bullet.

5744 has proven to be a good powder in the 45-75 and 45-60 cartridges.  Check the thread on smokeless in the 1876 for more info.

I believe Ten-X is cataloging factory loads in both BP and Smokeless for the 50-95.

Hope this helps get ya started.

[Sgt Ryan]

It does help.  Is there anyplace that you know of that gives information on the specs for the brass?  I guess buy new cartrages and take the measurements off that.

I thought it would be fun to get a 76 but maybe I should have chosen a different caliber.  I have often thought about switching to black powder, maybe this quest will give me the confidence to do so.  I am surprised that 50-95 information is so scarce.  This has sure turned out to be a good source of information.

Thanks again,

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

Sgt. Ryan,  Here is a link to another thread refe. new brass:   http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,18430.0.html

The word was that KBI was going to import the whole line of Chaparral brass.  Don't know if they have it in stock yet.  Last person that check said it was gonna be spendy.

Here is a link to the case spec. on the Chaparral wed site:    http://www.chaparralarms.com/specs/technicalspecs.htm

Keep us posted on your progress.  COG

[Grizzly Adams]

It does help.  Is there anyplace that you know of that gives information on the specs for the brass?  I guess buy new cartrages and take the measurements off that.

I thought it would be fun to get a 76 but maybe I should have chosen a different caliber.  I have often thought about switching to black powder, maybe this quest will give me the confidence to do so.  I am surprised that 50-95 information is so scarce.  This has sure turned out to be a good source of information.

Thanks again,

Nah, getting this stuff figured out is half the fun! 

According to Mike Venturino, the case length for the 50-95 is 1.94  and the OAL is 2.26.  Most of this family of cases are 1.89 with an OAL of 2.25, so the stated case length of 1.94 may be due to the short "flying ash tray" bullet this express caliber used.  Mike states that 348 cases can be formed and shortened for use, or Bertram Brass makes cases ready to go.  The easiest way would be to buy a couple of boxes of loads from Ten-X and use their brass!   Forming cases is a PITA!

Buck Stinson, a member of this forum, shoots and hunts with original 50-95s and he uses BP, I believe.

Good luck, and keep us posted.  We all benefit from each others experience, and we are all on a learning curve!

[Sgt Ryan]

You're right Griz, Gettin this figured out is 1/2 the fun.  There for a little while I had lost sight of that fact.  Thanks for reminding me.

I bought 40 loaded rounds from Buffalo arms and a set of 4D dies.  I have not heard of 4D but 150.00 beats 250.00 for RCBS.  All my reloading stuff is RCBS but I just could not bring myself to spend that kind of money on dies.  I will let you know how the 4D stuff works.

In the mean-time I need to find a receipe for the powder.

Yeh-Ha!! Ain't this fun!

[Grizzly Adams]

You're right Griz, Gettin this figured out is 1/2 the fun.  There for a little while I had lost sight of that fact.  Thanks for reminding me.

I bought 40 loaded rounds from Buffalo arms and a set of 4D dies.  I have not heard of 4D but 150.00 beats 250.00 for RCBS.  All my reloading stuff is RCBS but I just could not bring myself to spend that kind of money on dies.  I will let you know how the 4D stuff works.

In the mean-time I need to find a receipe for the powder.

Yeh-Ha!! Ain't this fun!

I use 4D dies with the 45-75, 45-60 and 38-40.  They work very well for me.  Have fun, Sgt!

[Harve Curry]

In Maj. Geo. Nonte's book MODERN HANDLOADING he writes:

45-75 Win. 350gr bullet no. 457192 , 22gr of 2400 powder.

50-95 Win. , 300gr bullet no. 515139 , 24gr of 2400 powder.

50-110 Win. 330gr buulet no. 515139, 52gr of 3031 powder.

50-110 Win. 450gr bullet no. 512138, 50gr of 3031 powder.

2400 can be very accurate. My experience in the 45-70 Gov't required a tuft of poly fiber fill with 23 gr of 2400 powder,330gr bullet,  otherwise it was a incomplete burn with lots of unburned powder. I wouldn't use any other filler.Poly fiber fill/kapok vaporizes instantly and gives you expansion room.

NOTE: You will have to experiment and work up to your loads. You're responsible for your own hide with the info.

[evodude]

Just got back from the range chronographing and heres what I got out of my Chappy .50-95 with un-fireformed .348 Win. cases.
44 grains (by weight not volume) Hodgdon Triple 7 fff and a Lyman cast 515139 gave me 1405 fps average on 3 shots.
32 grains AA 5744 and Lyman cast 515139 gave me 1125 fps, Ill keep uping it a grain till I hit in the high 1400's.
These were shot out of un-fire formed cases, although there isnt too much difference between the two, and they headspace on the rim anyways. This is all my experimentation, Im not recommending any of these loads, if you know what I mean! Just sharing info on this 'little known' cartridge. Im getting fairly good accuracy with the Triple 7 loads- Ill probably use this powder for my main loadings. I do want to develop a smokeless load as well, though, and I think 5744 will be the one.  What are all you rascaleros coming up with for this cartridge?

[Chuck 100 yd]

My 4D dies came from Buffalo Arms, The brass from Huntingtons.
It is fun making these things shoot.
I sent an e-mail to Chaparral arms to confirm the loads listed on their web site.
http://www.chaparralarms.com/specs/calibers.htm
I got a reply the next day from Italy.
They said that they farm out load development to an independant outfit in Germany and the load listed is from their findings and that I should reduce it 10% and work up until I am satisfied.
Listed load = 28gr. IMR 4895 with 375gr.bullet
I loaded 26 gr under my 355gr. Lyman, 30:1, .513" ,SPG bullets, If the muzzle is elevated before each shot to place the powder next to the primer it shot well (very soft load) but if the muzzle is not elivated it sounded like ths primer only fired and one bullet stuck 9" from the chamber.
I think that with IMR 4198 that 28gr. and a magnum primer will do the trick. I will be trying this combo when I get to shoot again.
Have fun!

[evodude]

Of course, these loads are worked up for MY Chappie, use at yer own risk! Its nice to live within 2 miles of the gun range! Ive settled on both a smokless and smoke filled load for my Chappie, here goes! Both of these are pushing a 340 grain cast Lyman .515 dia. bullet. CCI 200 primers for both as well.
38 grains AA5744 gives me 1550 fps.
48 grains (by weight) Hodgdon Triple Seven fffg is 1500-1525 fps. and a goodly amount of smoke!!
Both give me 2" to 3" at 50 yds. with open sights. Seems to hold that group or even tighten up a bit at 100 yds.
I prefer the Triple 7 over black powder for the simple fact that it feeds through my powder measure accurately, and no explosions yet!!

[concho]

Harve Curry
Guest
  Re: 50-95 reloading manual
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2008, 07:12:53 pm »   

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In Maj. Geo. Nonte's book MODERN HANDLOADING he writes:

45-75 Win. 350gr bullet no. 457192 , 22gr of 2400 powder.

50-95 Win. , 300gr bullet no. 515139 , 24gr of 2400 powder.
If you printed this ? the 515139 mold drops 340 grain bullets , if it is from the Maj. then he made a mistake !