Hey Hobie,
This is always an interesting subject!

A wide range of answers and replys and possible curses under ones breath ta boot!
I have a Chaparral short rifle, in 45-75, which I dearly am attached to. By the simple reason that I recreated it. The only original parts are the barrel, mag tube,frame, and forearm and buttstock. Everything else is an Original Winchester part or replica Winchester part made from here in Texas, from ChasJones.
What a interesting road trip that was, to get it to lever and shoot good. I shake my head at myself, when I think of all the time and effort and frustration I had trying to get Charter Arms to fix it and then doing it myself.

All in all, it was a grand learning experience, and I am thankful for folks like you and Grizz, Buck Elliot and others for helping me to gain insight into reloading rounds for and "tinkering" on the 1876 rifles.
I have two other original Winchester 1876 rifles that I have, one has the barrel relined and is in 45-60 and the other is in 45-75.
Currently I have hunted with the 45-60, but did not get a shot off. And I also, do a bit of target shooting just because I love to shoot the lever guns!
Cheers,
Oklahoma Dee