Winchester 73

[beltfed]

Jim,
Good you found 44-40 dies and brass. I will still have some bullets for you "whenever"
I understand very well as both me and my wife have been having some medical issues that are not resolved yet.
We too are largely self Isolating.
I do HOPE that I can make the Feb 12 22 match. But, just now , for me no promises.
Anyways, this COLD weather has stymied any outdoor shooting for now
Arnie

[JKR]

I’ve collected all the tools and components to make cartridges. I got it all set up and was able to fire the old girl yesterday afternoon. I’ve known this rifle for over fifty years and am certain it hasn’t been fired during that time. I have no idea when the last shot left it’s barrel.
The ammo I made consisted of new Winchester brass, 32 grains of OE 1 1/2 and a 200 grain bullet lubed with SPG. Large pistol primer, of course.
The cartridges fed perfectly from the magazine. I fired five shots, off hand, from my shop window, at my 25 yard pistol target. All were in the black bull and two were X’s. I think the measured accuracy will be about “ minute of next year’s buck”.
This has been the biggest first shot thrill I’ve experienced since getting my first Sharps rifle eleven years ago!
JKR

[Don McDowell]

How sweet it is.

[beltfed]

Jim,,
Here is my M1892 rifle, 44WCF first year production.
Fair to good Bore.
Also, the 429434 FNGC bullet and a couple groups shot with it
Not perfect, I pulled a couple shots, but what the heck,
with a tapered round front post and an old lyman peep.
Arnie

[JKR]

Jim,,
Here is my M1892 rifle, 44WCF first year production.
Fair to good Bore.
Also, the 429434 FNGC bullet and a couple groups shot with it
Not perfect, I pulled a couple shots, but what the heck,
with a tapered round front post and an old lyman peep.
Arnie

Nice Arnie. Very nice! I like the look of that hollow point bullet too!

I don’t think my rifle will shoot as well as yours. So far I’ve only shot at 25 yards but have kept it in the black of the pistol target.

I could use a bigger bullet. The one I’m shooting measures .429”, the same as the bore slug. .430-.431 would be better, don’t you think?

I really like that 92!

Jim

[beltfed]

Jim,
Yes, slightly larger diameter bullet should be a better fit.
as long as the loaded cartridge neck still chambers easily. As in Neck Clearance
The 429434 HP I have, the base band mikes about 429-431, and the other mold
I shoot in the 44-40 is the Lyman 429415, a SWC 215gr gas check. I get about same diameter bullets from
this one. I (mainly lube) them in a 0.430 H&I die with only a very slight actual sizing.
I have some of each I can provide for you to try. The alloy is my 9+1 COWW/Lino. About same hardness as 16+1 lead/tin
I have shot gas check bullets in BP loads without the gas check but with a 0.060" LDPE wad over the powder. They shoot well that way
Arnie

[JKR]

After reading everything I could find that John Kort had written, I veered off the path and played with smokeless powder loads. I had bought a Lee mould to start with and in spite of it making a nice little bullet, the lube grooves are tiny. I could see right away that it wouldn’t be a suitable bullet for BP, especially in my less than pristine bore.
I have IMR 4227 and Alliance 2400 on hand and found 14 1/2 grains of either to shoot pretty well at 25 yards. Groups at fifty yards were a little sketchy however.

Today I got to thinking about the bullets that Arnie had sent me about a month ago. I hadn’t tried them because they lack a crimp groove. It finally occurred to me that a crimp groove isn’t really needed if the bullet is setting on top of a compressed load of black powder. I proceeded to load Winchester cases with 34 grains of my Swiss 1 1/2 and Arnie's HP bullet lubed with SPG and gas checked. What a pleasant surprise! 50 yard groups are about two inches, nice and round, and shoot to the sights.

I guess this is a case of the rifle telling me how things should be!

JKR

[Don McDowell]

Rifles have a way like that
The original book load were not crimped they depended on the powder to keep the bullet from setting deeper in the case and neck tension to keep them from falling out
Glad you and that dear old girl are starting to get along

[beltfed]

Jim,
I am glad that the bullet works in your Win "73 rifle with the BP load.
It would be interesting to go back and test the 429434HP bullet in your smokeless load
22 grains of 4227 under this bullet shoots well in my '92. But, of course that may be too hot for your '73
Arnie

[JKR]

Arnie,
Yes, I believe that bullet would shoot well with my smokeless loads. However, it could only be single loaded since there’s no way to hold it in place at the length required for the 73 action. I’m guessing you’re able to crimp into the lube groove for use in your 92.

The 73 is quite sensitive to cartridge length. Too long and the bullet will catch on the magazine tube. Too short, it will allow the next cartridge to start into the carrier. Either way, the carrier is unable to rise for chambering. Both cases require removing the jammed cartridges from the muzzle end of the tube.

I sized your hp bullet to .431”. This is the perfect size for my rifle’s bore and no doubt the reason for the accuracy improvement. The Lee mould drops at .429”. I beagled it but that didn’t improve things much.
I put gas checks on your bullets only because they lubed better in my sizer. I know they probably aren’t necessary in these light loads.

I’m considering Accurate’s 43-215C mould designed by John Kort. mainly because I like the huge lube groove. Any thoughts?

Jim