What Brought You to the Winchester 76?

[pinto beans]

Howdy All,
I am sure that this has been chewed over before on here, but sitting tonight listing to the wind blow gusts while swirling snow outside, I mused over this though while enjoying a cup of coffee.  For me it started where lots do, reading and seeing movies with the Winchester 76 featured in the stories.  Now I grew up around Winchesters, mostly model 94 carbines in .30-30.  A few model 92 rifles, mostly in .32-20, were around but the rest were bolt actions.  Not surprising, I became and afraid I still am a cast, dyed in the wool bolt action man.  That is until the day I had the chance to hold and look over an original model 76.  Looking at an establishment that caters to higher quality sporting arms and specializes in unique guns, I was looking at the rifles.  There was an original 76, with 28" barrel in .45-75 WCF.  I made the mistake of picking it up, shouldering it and realizing – I was hooked.  The old rifle fit me like a glove and had an aura about it that just said American History.  The more I looked it over; I realized that it was in fair to good condition.  The barrel was a bit rough, but for the age of the old girl and the black powder cartridges it had fired, I thought it was amazing for its age.  I looked at the tag, which indicated a mid-1880's build date, and educated me that the price would mean it would not be going home with me.  But I tell ya, I liked that rifle!  Much younger then, I figured maybe someday I would be in better shape to afford one in maybe even better shape.  Then the thought hit that with all the reproductions and more coming out every year, it would be nice to see this rifle replicated for modern shooting.  I went my way and didn't think much about it, years passed, I grew older, greyer, and fatter.  While I still looked at the lever actions, especially those 1873 replicas, I would remember the old 76 of years past.  Then the replicas started rolling out.  I held my peace but when Uberti introduced theirs, with a 28" barrel and available in .45-75WCF I thought this is going to be my chance.  When I handled one of the Uberti's that sealed the deal.  My wonderful Wife thought we should get an early retirement gift last year and took me to Dixie Gun Works where we did find a 76 that could come home and not break the bank.   A new Uberti replica with 28" barrel and in .45-75 WCF to boot! 
Well, there is my long winded story of how I came to be a 76 fan. It is my one, and only lever action rifle and I am very proud of it.  With 22 months until I can retire I am looking forward to better weather and more chances to enjoy it.
What brought you to the 76, if you don't mind my asking??!!

[Niederlander]

I always liked the Winchester lever actions, but my brother's '94 carbine was the only one I had ever gotten to actually handle.  Later I got a reproduction '66, and I was totally hooked.  I decided I wanted a rifle model of all the Winchester levers, either replica or original.  Up until a couple of years ago the only one I didn't have was the 1876.  I found a very slightly used Uberti in .45-60, and once I shot it, hooked again!  I love that it was pretty much the first rifle caliber repeater, and was early enough to get used right in the heart of the Old West.  Cool rifle!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

When I was in elementary school, one of my best mates and part of our cowboys & indians play group had an original NWMP carbine over the mantle in his home.  it fascinated me. I now own a Chapparel reproduction.

[Forty Rod]

I had a '60 Henry, a '66, and a '73 all by Uberti, I had an '86 and a '95 by Browning, I had a Rossi '92 and a Winchester '94.  I needed a '76 to fill the roster of Winchester lever guns from the Henry to the turn of the century. 

The first four were all B. Tyler Henry's version of the toggle link action and the last four were all John Moses Browning's designs. 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
We just love those toggle actions of the Winchesters . I started out Hunting with a Bolt action Remington 700 in 30-06 .   as time evolved I decided to try a model 94 Winchester 30-30 . It did great killed a nice 11 point Buck with a nice drop tine . Then later on I used a 66 carbine in 45 colt . Next I had to have a 76 in 45-60 and now I also work with a 73 in 44wcf using BP . They all work Great YOU just have to find what makes you happy . Remember no dying man ever said he Hunted To much .

[larryo_1]

Well, I got my first twinge when I shot a relative's 45-60 original. I should have dikkered him out of it as he complained that his knuckles dragged on the ground when he took it hunting even tho I told him it was a saddle rifle as they are heavy to pack all day long on foot. Then I figured that since TR used the 45-75 for alot of his hunts, that might be the one for me.  I had even thought about the 50-95 but changed my mind and got the 45-75.  Although it has the larger chamber, that has never slowed me down.  I did change the sights, refinish the stock and fine tuned the trigger but other than that no more changes.  Were I to win the Power Ball (HA,HA,HA)  I would go and find an original just to say I got one.

[dusty texian]

Fell in love with the 1876 Winchester ,the first time I set eye's on one. How could you not love this?

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

Before I joined SASS .... back in the early 1980's I watched the movie... "TOM HORN" starring Steve McQueen was very impressed with McQueen's portrayal of Tom Horn.  Many year's later I found out about SASS and when I joined, luckily my first choice of ALIAS's was accepted... in the game we play I became Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks... that is a long ALIAS...LOL.  But after joining SASS I started researching my ALIAS... Ahhhhh I found out Hollywood as usual was wrong... The rifle most favored by the real Tom Horn was not a 1876 Winchester in 45-60 caliber (which was produced by Winchester actually in 1879) ... Horn's rifle by choice was a Winchester 1894 in 30-30 caliber.  In my research I found that Steve McQueen made the decision to use a Winchester '76 in 45-60 caliber with the 28" barrel... in his own words, McQueen felt the '76 "looked" more menacing than a lever action '94 in 30-30 caliber. If you watch an earlier movie starring McQueen, one called "Nevada Smith" he also uses a '76 in this movie.  So after joining SASS and the local club I belong to Wartrace Regulators... I also started shooting Long Range... so to be like my ALIAS and the movie I went the McQueen route... I bought a Uberti '76 in 45-60 with a 28" barrel just to be like McQueen... and I already had a Winchester '94 in 30-30 (pre-1964) so when I shoot Long Range I can either be like McQueen or the real Tom Horn... Laughing.  But I do love the '76 in 45-60 caliber.  I bought a second 45-60 made by Chaparrel... but in my opine the Chaparrel does not even compare to the Uberti '76.  The difference is in quality and craftsmanship... the Chaparrel is a cheaply made version of the real Winchester '76... hope I never have to fix it... Chaparrel is no longer in business.

[Grizzly Adams]

Gotta say it was Steve McQueen shooting that big ole rifle in Tom Horn.    That, and finding a nice old original on the gun rack of an antique store in Anchorage.

[Black River Smith]

I know I am still not registered here but this is what I posted back in Jan 2008 under a different posting but it contains my interests:


Sorry to jump in here, I am not signed on but I want one of these big bore rifles.  I have had an original Win '86 since 1989 but it is not the same.  I had the chance to fire an original '76 45-60 back in about 95 or 96.

My addition to the posting is:     The Last Hunt with Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger 1956.

I was very young when I first saw this movie on TV and I thought, ""Where did they get that extra large Win 73"".  Jimmy Stewarts Win '73 was the first toggle link gun on TV at the times.

I only saw Last Hunt once that I remember but that big guns image stuck.

I now have both movies and still watch both of them quite often.

Mine will be in the original 45-75 caliber when I can work it.


Unfortunately mine is a 45/60 because all the 45/75's are gone in 28in.  Cannot afford the $1300 Cimarron.  And now I want a 40/60 in 26in after seeing this one.

[pistol1911]

In 1968 I wanted a 1873. It so happened a friend had bought an estate collection. I bought a 1873 round barrel rifle in 32/20 and my father bought a 1876 rifle in 45/60. I paid $90 for the 73 and dad paid $125 for the 76. Later dad gave me the 76 and I still have both rifles. The 1876 is a shooter, the 73 barrel is garbage. I thought about having the barrel relined but never got around to it.

[doketx]

The looks.  Mine is the most elegant looking rifle I've ever seen, and it doesn't hurt that it's a good shooter.

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings!

   I picked up an (Affordable) CDNN closeout Winchester 1876 Centennial Express chambered for the .50-95-300, with the Express Model's original 26" Barrel. After having to send it back once for a minor issue, I've been happy with its feel and balance since.
   Why this rifle? For many years, I've been a fan of British Express rifles; not being able to justify the expenditure, I sought an affordable alternative. After a few years, it came: the .50-95 Centennial Express is as easy to load for as any other, brass can be easily fireformed from .348WCF, and I have several bullet moulds to experiment with. Only a "Tiger Gun" (22" Barrel) with a shotgun buttstock could tempt me away. I need not mention that it's a Winchester copy, and it happily resides with my original 1876 .45-75, etc.

          Be Well, All!

                      M.T.Marfield:.

[Buck Stinson]

Like Pinto said, once you pick one up, your hooked.  I bought my first 1876 Winchester in 1965 when I was 15 years old.  It was a beautiful carbine in .45-75WCF.  I then bought an original spoon handle Winchester reloading tool and a bullet mold, so I could shoot it.  I knew after I pulled the trigger for the first time on a live round, that there would be many more 1876 Winchesters to come.

[Niederlander]

Yet another reason I like the '76.  I just shot my new Trail Boss load (15 grains under a 300 grain gas check bullet).  It was only thirty five yards, but the first three shot group measured 5/8", and I was leaning over the pick-up tool box.  This thing has an awful lot of potential!

[Forty Rod]

Mine was also a CDNN closeout rifle on .45-60.  No issues except being really stiff at first and the ugliest piece of wood I've seen that wasn't destined for the fireplace..... yet.

[Grapeshot]

Having two Marlin 95's in .45-70 Government I was hooked on BIG bore leverguns.  The Marlins were nice, accurate and light.  Not conducive to heavy loads these light weight guns were sold.  I then picked up a Chappy 1876 in .45/60 WCF with a 26 inch barrel.  I was in hog heaven.  I shortened a batch of .45/70 to .45/60 specs.  My first trip to the range found me with ammo loaded with 777 and a 295 grain GC NEI bullet as well as some using a Lee .45-405 RNFP.  Accuracy was excellent but I needed to change the sights.   After changing the sights I retreated to the range again using the same ammo, I sighted the Chappy in at 100 yards.  I was not disappointed  I later sold the Chappy to a friend who was drooling over the rifle.  I then bought a Uberti Cross Fire Trail carbine in .45-60WCF.  I haven't gotten that one out to the outdoor range yet.  But I will find out if it will perform with a charge of 55 grains of BP with a 405 grain HB RNFP.  

[Palatine Tom]

I do have a '66, and a '73 by Uberti, I have a '86 by Browning and a 1892 by El Tigre and a Winchester '94.  I must have to fill the gaps in my vault this time with a Chappy 76

And i will find a nice 1860 and 1895 soon as well. I am some how an addicted target shooter with a westerner spleen...


Greetings from sunny Bavaria

Palatine Tom

[MJN77]

When I first became fascinated with the "old west" about twenty five years ago, the 1873 Winchester quickly became my favorite 19th century rifle. It was a reliable, functional and beautiful firearm. The 1876 is just a bigger version of the 1873 with the same reliability, function and beauty but chambered in more powerful cartridges. It's just a great rifle.

[Jubal Wilson]

I grew up in the mountains of central Arizona and there were a lot of old guns available in the '60s. I have always liked Winchesters and my first center fire rifle was a 1894 carbine. After high school I had to work for a few years to get money for college. During that time I owned every Winchester lever action except the 66. The 76 that I had the 28 inch barrel and was chambered for 45-75 WCF. Unfortunately no one had loading dies for that caliber so I traded it away.
In 2007 I got a Uberti 76 in 45-60 WCF and have very happy ever since. I put a Marbles tang sight on it and during load development I put a Lyman 17a on it. Occasional 1 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards makes me very happy for my 71 year old eyes.