Taylor's & Co M1876 45-60, PICS

Electric Factory · January 28, 2009, 08:49 PM

I thought some of you gentlemen might appreciate a field report on the Taylor's & Co M1876 45-60 rifle which has been shot a fair amount. I am most pleased with the gun, particularly the fit, finish and shooting performance.

To date this '76 has seen approximately 1000-1300 rounds down the tube over the past 12 mos, those being either a 350 or 405 gr flat point lead bullet over a duplex powder charge.

If anything the rifle shoots and functions better at this moment than the day I bought it; the action is butter smooth and the barrel/bore appears to have 'seasoned' perfectly.
Similarly the wood has also nicely seasoned [ worth noting, the original Uberti varnish was completely removed in favor of a traditionally applied Winchester Repeating Arms oil finish, thanks Bill]. Though I don't quite know how many rounds one can reasonably expect to shoot through a 45-60 rifle barrel [ 5,000 ? 10,000 ? More ? ] before accuracy drops off it appears the rifle is just now ' getting comfortable'.

This M1876 has truly become a fine rifle by any measurable standard, and after a couple years of shooting I feel as though I have a glimpse into what it might be in 100+ years. Wish I could be around to shoot it.

noelf2 · January 28, 2009, 09:42 PM

Wow, awesome beautiful rifle!

Jim Watson · January 28, 2009, 10:19 PM

You are not going to wear out a modern steel barrel very fast by running greasy lead through it. Barrel life in a BPCR is tens if not hundreds of thousands of rounds.

CraigC · January 29, 2009, 12:57 AM

Gorgeous rifle! Can't believe that wood. Great case colors too. What kind of accuracy and velocity are you getting?

I've really had the hots for one the last couple years. Love that long 28" octagon barrel. Heavy guns but they balance nicely. The .45-60 is awfully tempting because it's so much easier to load for but my heart is set on a .50-95. Gotta wait until I can swallow the expense of casting equipment and molds, along with the cost of the rifle.

Hawg · January 29, 2009, 04:44 AM

It is beautiful. Craig, you need that to go with the open top.

Smokin_Gun · January 29, 2009, 05:14 AM

Electric Factory you've done well Pilgrim...excellant choice and a beautiful Rifle...

SG

Raider2000 · January 29, 2009, 05:45 AM

Drool drool, That is a purdy rifle you have there drool drool.

I've only wanted one for some time but haven't gotten around to getting one yet, good report sir & thanx.

Electric Factory · January 29, 2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys, the '76 really is one of if not my favorite rifle of all time. The Taylor's & Co version is excellent, though I must admit I initially had a misgivings when I ordered it.
Here's the story; after doing tons of research on line on the various versions available I resolved that the Uberti/ Taylor's & Co version was the one I wanted. A steady search of various retailers, gun shops and gun shows produced not one rifle, and just as I was about to give up I called a retailer in Indiana who had one in stock. The problem ?
-a decidedly unfriendly salesperson told me that the rifle "had a factory 'flaw' somewhere on the receiver" but could not or would not elaborate
- the retailer's website had no picture of the gun, nor were they willing to send one, nor were they willing to accept a return of the gun if I wasn't happy for ANY reason- whoa.
After asking as many questions as I could think of over the phone I took a deep breath, took a big chance and plunked down my CC, when it arrived I was knocked almost off my feet, and except for the thick, red tinted and Uberti varnish [ which I removed and replaced with an oil finish ] the gun appeared as you see it now. Beautiful.
And no flaw that I could find anywhere on the receiver.

Gewehr98 · February 1, 2009, 06:39 PM

John Moses Browning would be proud! Now, since it's a .45-60, I have something that might be useful.

In loading for my .45-70 Sharps Model 1874 Business Rifle, I was a bit too enthusiastic when belling the case mouths to accommodate my 535gr Postell bullets. As a result, some of the nickel-plated .45-70 Remington brass now have small splits in the case mouths, unfortunately. I've since learned how to avoid that, but said boo-boo has already happened.

However, if I remember correctly, the .45-60 Winchester round can be easily formed from trimmed-down .45-70 brass.

So, any .45-60 shooters here want a bunch of free donor brass to feed their Winchester M1876 rifles? How about you, Electric Factory?

Electric Factory · February 1, 2009, 09:13 PM

Here's one for you lever action rifle specialists;
my magazine tube has inched out perhaps 1/16" and I'd like to give it to a lever action savvy gunsmith to affect a repair of the mag tube cross pin.
Who would you recommend to do work on a lever action rifle ?

CraigC · February 3, 2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Craig, you need that to go with the open top.

You're not helping!!!

Bob House · March 28, 2009, 10:11 AM

I'm interested in trying a duplex load in my Taylor's 1876. Would you share your duplex load data? I'm using a Lyman 457122 bullet that drops out of the mould at 342 grs.

January 28, 2009, 08:49 PM	#1
Electric Factory Member Join Date: April 30, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 47	Taylor's & Co M1876 45-60, PICS I thought some of you gentlemen might appreciate a field report on the Taylor's & Co M1876 45-60 rifle which has been shot a fair amount. I am most pleased with the gun, particularly the fit, finish and shooting performance. To date this '76 has seen approximately 1000-1300 rounds down the tube over the past 12 mos, those being either a 350 or 405 gr flat point lead bullet over a duplex powder charge. If anything the rifle shoots and functions better at this moment than the day I bought it; the action is butter smooth and the barrel/bore appears to have 'seasoned' perfectly. Similarly the wood has also nicely seasoned [ worth noting, the original Uberti varnish was completely removed in favor of a traditionally applied Winchester Repeating Arms oil finish, thanks Bill]. Though I don't quite know how many rounds one can reasonably expect to shoot through a 45-60 rifle barrel [ 5,000 ? 10,000 ? More ? ] before accuracy drops off it appears the rifle is just now ' getting comfortable'. This M1876 has truly become a fine rifle by any measurable standard, and after a couple years of shooting I feel as though I have a glimpse into what it might be in 100+ years. Wish I could be around to shoot it.

January 28, 2009, 09:42 PM	#2
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Wow, awesome beautiful rifle! __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

January 29, 2009, 05:14 AM	#6
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	Electric Factory you've done well Pilgrim...excellant choice and a beautiful Rifle... SG __________________ "I Smoke Black Powder" "Favor an 1858 Remington" SGT. Smokin' Gun, Mosby's Rangers 43rd Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. SASS# 19634, ... Admin:http://blackpowdersmoke.com/oldcoots/index.php

February 1, 2009, 06:39 PM	#9
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	Gorgeous rifle! John Moses Browning would be proud! Now, since it's a .45-60, I have something that might be useful. In loading for my .45-70 Sharps Model 1874 Business Rifle, I was a bit too enthusiastic when belling the case mouths to accommodate my 535gr Postell bullets. As a result, some of the nickel-plated .45-70 Remington brass now have small splits in the case mouths, unfortunately. I've since learned how to avoid that, but said boo-boo has already happened. However, if I remember correctly, the .45-60 Winchester round can be easily formed from trimmed-down .45-70 brass. So, any .45-60 shooters here want a bunch of free donor brass to feed their Winchester M1876 rifles? How about you, Electric Factory? __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

March 28, 2009, 10:11 AM	#12
Bob House Junior Member Join Date: March 17, 2009 Posts: 1	45-60 Duplex load? I'm interested in trying a duplex load in my Taylor's 1876. Would you share your duplex load data? I'm using a Lyman 457122 bullet that drops out of the mould at 342 grs.

January 28, 2009, 10:19 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	You are not going to wear out a modern steel barrel very fast by running greasy lead through it. Barrel life in a BPCR is tens if not hundreds of thousands of rounds.

January 29, 2009, 12:57 AM	#4
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Gorgeous rifle! Can't believe that wood. Great case colors too. What kind of accuracy and velocity are you getting? I've really had the hots for one the last couple years. Love that long 28" octagon barrel. Heavy guns but they balance nicely. The .45-60 is awfully tempting because it's so much easier to load for but my heart is set on a .50-95. Gotta wait until I can swallow the expense of casting equipment and molds, along with the cost of the rifle.

January 29, 2009, 04:44 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It is beautiful. Craig, you need that to go with the open top.

January 29, 2009, 05:45 AM	#7
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	Drool drool, That is a purdy rifle you have there drool drool. I've only wanted one for some time but haven't gotten around to getting one yet, good report sir & thanx.

January 29, 2009, 05:37 PM	#8
Electric Factory Member Join Date: April 30, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 47	Thanks guys, the '76 really is one of if not my favorite rifle of all time. The Taylor's & Co version is excellent, though I must admit I initially had a misgivings when I ordered it. Here's the story; after doing tons of research on line on the various versions available I resolved that the Uberti/ Taylor's & Co version was the one I wanted. A steady search of various retailers, gun shops and gun shows produced not one rifle, and just as I was about to give up I called a retailer in Indiana who had one in stock. The problem ? -a decidedly unfriendly salesperson told me that the rifle "had a factory 'flaw' somewhere on the receiver" but could not or would not elaborate - the retailer's website had no picture of the gun, nor were they willing to send one, nor were they willing to accept a return of the gun if I wasn't happy for ANY reason- whoa. After asking as many questions as I could think of over the phone I took a deep breath, took a big chance and plunked down my CC, when it arrived I was knocked almost off my feet, and except for the thick, red tinted and Uberti varnish [ which I removed and replaced with an oil finish ] the gun appeared as you see it now. Beautiful. And no flaw that I could find anywhere on the receiver.

February 1, 2009, 09:13 PM	#10
Electric Factory Member Join Date: April 30, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 47	Here's one for you lever action rifle specialists; my magazine tube has inched out perhaps 1/16" and I'd like to give it to a lever action savvy gunsmith to affect a repair of the mag tube cross pin. Who would you recommend to do work on a lever action rifle ?