Thinking about a 50-95

[Crazy Horse]

Hello, I am thinking about buying a Uberti 1876 in 50-95.  I know this is probably not the easiest caliber to reload and find components for but I am a sucker for large calibers. I had a Chaperell (sp?) 45-75 on order back when they first came out and I canceled it when I found out they had fake finished wood on them. I had bought a die set for the 45-75 so I  already have that if I were to choose that caliber but then I get to thinking about that big 50 caliber hole in the end of that 50-95 and I want it. Ha! How many of you fellows have the 1876 in 50-95? I will want to shoot smokeless in it too. I shoot BP in my Sharps but I don't have time to take a levergun apart and clean the BP out of it like it needs to be. 

[Grizzly Adams]

Hello, I am thinking about buying a Uberti 1876 in 50-95.  I know this is probably not the easiest caliber to reload and find components for but I am a sucker for large calibers. I had a Chaperell (sp?) 45-75 on order back when they first came out and I canceled it when I found out they had fake finished wood on them. I had bought a die set for the 45-75 so I  already have that if I were to choose that caliber but then I get to thinking about that big 50 caliber hole in the end of that 50-95 and I want it. Ha! How many of you fellows have the 1876 in 50-95? I will want to shoot smokeless in it too. I shoot BP in my Sharps but I don't have time to take a levergun apart and clean the BP out of it like it needs to be. 

Yatahey, Crazy Horse!   Welcome.

Sounds like you should go for the 50-95!  Life is too short to shoot uninteresting guns, or hang with ugly women!

There are not a lot of the 50-95 around yet, but we do have a couple of members with them.  Check through the threads for more info on the caliber. 

These arms were designed to use BP, and cleaning them is really not a major issue.  I shoot BP in all of my toggle links guns. including the 1860, 1866, 1873, and 1876.  Even when shooting a lot, I don't have to tear them down more than once a year, if that.  Just wipe out the carrier and clean the bore like you do your Sharps and you'll be fine.  As for disassembly, these babies are a snap.  Check out this link which describes it for the small actions, but is the same for the 76.

http://marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html

When you get that 50-95 be sure to post some pics!

[Crazy Horse]

Hey Griz! Thanks for the response. I seen that Ten X has a smokless load so I guess they have proven it safe. I may try to duplicate that load if I get the 50-95. I might get brave enough to shoot BP sometime but I am still not to excited about it. 

I have decided it will be the 50-95 if I get the 1876. If I don't get that caliber I figure I will always wish I did!

[Buck Stinson]

I agree with Griz.  A lever gun iis as easy to clean when shooting black powder as any single shot.  You set the gun upside down in a gun cradle, with the lever open and pointing up in the air.  On a '76, you don't want to open it far enough to raise the carrier block, yet enough so the lever spring tension is engaged.  When you do it this way, it is actually cleaner inside the action than your Shiloh.  It really is simple and clean.  I've shot black in both of these original .50's for many years and never have taken the action apart, because it isn't necessary.  You'll have a great time with an Express rifle.

Adios,
Buck

[Crazy Horse]

Buck, Thanks for the information! Your experience sounds very favorable to using BP. I was just afraid I would shoot the gun, clean it, put it in the safe for a few months to find the BP had rusted the inside of the action up because I didn't clean it  properly. I have about 20#'s of Goex FF in the closet that I use in My Shiloh and Pedersoli sharps that I could use in the 50-95... Now I am at least considering BP....

[Sgt Ryan]

Well I made the leap for a 50 about two weeks ago.  I was in shock when I found out that cartrages were about 83 dolars a box.  The Brass is almost non existant and the reloading dies from RCBS are about two hundred fifty to two hundred eighty dollars.  Not to mention the bullets.  But as Griz said doing the research is half the fun.

I can save you some time looking for this stuff.  Buffalo arms is the place to go for 50-95.  I bought some 4D reloading dies for 150.00.  I had not heard about this brand but Grizzly Adams said that he uses this brand alot and they are good dies.  I also looked for smokless reloading information.  I could not find any.  Best we could come up with is start under power and chronograph your way to the desired feet per second.

I have chosen to use Hodgdon Triple seven black powder substitute because of the ease of use, clean up, and no stink of rotten eggs from any sulfur.  Maybe when the fifty is on the market longer smokless reloading data will be available.  But makin smoke is part of the fun of a 76.

This is a good site for information.  Folks around here seem to know what they are talkin about.  If I can help give me a holler.

[Dirty Brass]

I just picked up a 50/95 Taylor's Uberti a few weeks ago. Haven't had time to shoot, much less any ammo. Buffaloarms has it backordered - waiting for the bullets to load it up I guess. Anyhow, just chiming in as a 50/95 owner - add me to the list!

[Buck Stinson]

Crazy Horse,
I hope I have been of some help.  I think it is important to take the black powder subject a bit further.  When we see an antique black powder cartridge gun with a bad bore, we automatically think that the black powder fowling was never cleaned from the bore.  In some cases this may be true, but the fact is, most of the bad bores come from the old mercury primers and NOT the black powder by itself.  In fact, if you have a new rifle with modern black powder ammunition and the proper bullet lube, you could shoot all day long and not clean the bore for months.  Along these same lines, if the gun is stored poorly with a dirty bore, in an area where it "might" collect moisture, then you may see some slight surface rust in the grooves.   

Several of the 1876 models I shoot are VERY expensive guns, so I always clean them within a day or two after shooting.   I am a hard core collector, but the high value will never keep me from shooting any of my antique Winchesters.   However, as stated in my earlier reply, I never take these guns apart because in the way I clean them, disassembly is not necessary.   If you end up with an 1876 in any caliber and want some info on loads, I'd be glad to tell you what I use for each caliber.  Remember, I shoot only black powder in my 1876 Winchesters.

Adios,
Buck

[Crazy Horse]

Buck, I will let you know if I get the 50-95.. I might even shoot some BP!! 

[Crazy Horse]

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=96911306

I just bought this today. It comes with 5 boxes of Ten-X ammunition. I will have it on Lay-a-way for a couple months befor I get it.

[.45colt.]

 Boy Larry now your really killin Me. . I watched that auction and darn near bid on it but was hoping for a range report from You,now We will have to wait anyway. congradulations should be alot of fun.

[Grizzly Adams]

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=96911306

I just bought this today. It comes with 5 boxes of Ten-X ammunition. I will have it on Lay-a-way for a couple months befor I get it.

Nice!   Congratulations on a good deal on a beautiful rifle!   It's gonna be a long couple of months!

[Dirty Brass]

Should be a fine rifle! I had looked at that when I saw the ammo was included. Pretty good deal! Enjoy!

[Crazy Horse]

Thanks Guys!!! I can't wait to get it. I will let y'all know how I like it. I will have to try to locate some dies for it now. I think buffalo arms had some for about $150 or so. I wish Lee would make some that were more affordable. I have a set of Lee 45-75 dies that I bought back before I knew the 50-95 was going to be made. I guess I can just hang on to them in case I get one in that caliber sometime.  I will have two guns to give range reports on. I also have a Win. 1885 50-90 on lay-a-way.. It's the one with the shotgun buttplate and half oct. barrel.

[Buck Stinson]

I haven't been on the forum for awhile, but I thought I should send my congrats.  I think you did VERY well.  The gun is a dandy and the ammo will be great for shooting and reloading.  I have a couple of original .50's and love them.  You'll have a great time with your new rifle and I'm sure you'll find the .50 Express to be a pretty impressive cartridge.  Have fun.

Adios,
Buck

[Crazy Horse]

I just mailed my last payment in for the 50-95. I hope to have it in a couple of weeks.. I can't wait!!! Now the temp. just needs to drop about 50 degrees so I can enjoy my shooting.

[Grizzly Adams]

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=96911306

I just bought this today. It comes with 5 boxes of Ten-X ammunition. I will have it on Lay-a-way for a couple months befor I get it.

Congratulations, Crazy Horse!  Great looking rifle! - and a good deal to boot!

[Buck Stinson]

Be sure to let us know how it shoots.  Have fun.

Adios,
Buck

[Crazy Horse]

I finally got my 50-95... I plan on shooting it on July 4th... :>)

[Roosterman]

uh oh, bad case of gun envy now....I've been wanting a 50-95 for a while.