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Wambli Ska
Posts: 5,445 Senior Member
Another fun range day!
Wambli Ska
Posts: 5,445 Senior Member
Challenging but great, the range was uncharacteristically full today AND they have a freaking Barrett 50 they “rent” to folks that want the experience for $8 a shot and someone decided they were leaving their Christmas money at the range today. Funny don’t think the dude hit a damn thing he aimed at, but he smiled a lot and that’s all that matters 👍.
But concentrating on my tasks was a stretch and I forgot to bring any tools to regulate sights on these old guns so some groups and function testing was all I could really do today. It’s Ok I really only had about an hour or two and all my buddies were working today so I socialized a lot too 😁
I did get a some great comments on my guns being such a nice contrast to a bunch of new plastic on the other benches, and I think I got some folks really excited about learning about “old West” guns! The big “dash” cartridges were handled and circulated to many puzzled and wide eyed looks. To a 5.56 and 9mm shooter the 45-70 looks like a howitzer.
I did get a some great comments on my guns being such a nice contrast to a bunch of new plastic on the other benches, and I think I got some folks really excited about learning about “old West” guns! The big “dash” cartridges were handled and circulated to many puzzled and wide eyed looks. To a 5.56 and 9mm shooter the 45-70 looks like a howitzer.
Anyway, the ‘76 Centennial is now my new favorite lever gun. My reloads made from cut down 45-70 brass are a hoot to shoot and they cycle through the gun like water and this rifle is SLICK, so winner!!!
I need to fine tune my load and then regulate the sights but that’s a job for another day. I’m just wanted to make sure I was doing 45-60 correctly and that cycling was flawless, and it was.
The 38-55 High Wall has massive potential and it’s a total hoot to shoot. The trigger is LIGHT!!! but Lord! HMS Cowboy loads are CRAP!!! Elk creek had already warned me so it was not a total shock but I was hopping I got a decent lot(s) but no-joy.
I need to fine tune my load and then regulate the sights but that’s a job for another day. I’m just wanted to make sure I was doing 45-60 correctly and that cycling was flawless, and it was.
The 38-55 High Wall has massive potential and it’s a total hoot to shoot. The trigger is LIGHT!!! but Lord! HMS Cowboy loads are CRAP!!! Elk creek had already warned me so it was not a total shock but I was hopping I got a decent lot(s) but no-joy.
They are so inconsistent they actually sound different from one shot to another. I’d get two shots touching and then the next one sounded like a fart and land 5” away. After 10 rounds I decided I’m pulling all the bullets and using the primed cases to make good reloads out of them.
The only disappointment (and actually I’m not even upset) was the 1884 Trapdoor 45-70 that I finally got to shoot. There is something wrong with the chamber and the first round I fired gave me this.
Couldn’t even extract the case so I had to borrow some tools from the RO to pry the case out. You can see the bulge on one side so I stopped shooting.
Now I have some pondering to do. Do I re-line the barrel? Do I re-bore to 50-70? Do I do what I originally planned with the gun which was to make it into a handy thumper carbine? I need to sit with a glass of good whiskey and ponder the potential and possibilities. I have a new project 🍾🥂
Replies
My theory is that some kitchen gunsmith tried to “polish” some corrosion on the chamber wall and removed way too much metal. It’s a pity because the bore is in great shape and the barrel is in good condition. So I’m considering a re-bore to .50 cal (50-70) or maybe just having a liner installed in the bore.
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎
I would probably do a liner job on the 45-70 trapdoor. On the other hand let an expert look at the barreled action and have that sucker made into a 50-70!
I'd like to see a custom Trapdoor, here's a link to some enablement.
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎
I carry a 3' piece of 3/16" brass rod to get out stuck cases, just push down the barrel!
This is my go to barrel guy! Oregunsmithing LLC - Pendleton, OR
And ya!! My 1876 is hard to leave at home when I go to the range, it's become one of my favorites!! The trapdoors get a lot of attention, too!!
The range officer asked me where the selector switch was on the trap door. I told him it was full auto only, just hold back the trigger until it's empty!!
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎
What does it mic out to now ?
I'm a bit confused as to a barrel refine wouldn't the chamber still be bad ?
When you re-line you bore out chamber and rifling then you insert a new rifled liner that goes from breech to crown, then you recut the chamber and recrown the barrel so you end up with a whole new chamber and bore.
It’s a °IIIII° thing 😎