Winchester 73

[JKR]

The Madis book dates this rifle at 1880. I think it would be wise to load black powder only in a weak action rifle that’s this old. Do you agree?
Any tricks to loading a little cartridge like this with black?
JKR

[Kurt]

In my revolver I fill the case and put a bullet on top of the powder with out a wad.
I would like to get the 1860 Henry. I think the little .44-40 is a nice fun caliber in the rifle or the revolver.

[Don McDowell]

I use a thin wad under the bullet
Basically what ever 2 or 3 f you have on hand figure out how much powder to come up about half the seating depth of the bullet set the wad and seat the bullet
Those wcf case necks are pretty thin so a bit of flare is a big help to keep from buggering the case mouths
That rifle probably has a 1-36 twist and a groove diameter .428 or .429

[Don McDowell]

One other thing to pay real close attention to the 73 is not very forgiving to fudge on OAL so watch very close the length and round nosed bullets
They don’t feed swc or even truncated noses very well

[JKR]

I spent all of Saturday cleaning and fixing. I completely disassembled the rifle and carefully cleaned out all the old dried up gunk that had accumulated over the years.
I found the little spring for the set trigger catch was broken. Luckily, both pieces were there, so I had a pattern to make a new one. A piece of M-70 magazine spring served perfectly. The rifle now has a functional set trigger.
Next will be slugging the barrel. I thought I had some 45 cal round balls but I guess I must’ve thrown them in the pot.
The bore is far from perfect but I’m hoping it might still shoot decent enough. If not I may consider a liner. Time will tell.
Fun stuff!
JKR

[Don McDowell]

It's amazing how well those old bores that look like 5 miles of muddy road can shoot.

[JKR]

Don,
This one’s not the worst I’ve seen by far. More like 2 miles of muddy road!
Jim

[Don McDowell]

LOL. I have a Marlin 89 in 38wcf. Had to JB weld the barrel into the action to keep it from wobbling. Scrubbed and scrubbed on the bore almost go it to the point where you could actually see metal in places.
That bugger really shoots. It's a bit picky about bullets and feeding. Bullets cast from an original Ideal loading tool will give the Marlin jam, but bullets cast from the RCBS mould shuck right thru it with out a hitch.

[Kurt]

Don, LOL, I have a 74 Pedersoli I had to make a copper washer and clamp the barrel in a vise and torque the action tight compressing the copper rind and filing off the squished out copper off to keep the barrel tight LOL.

[JKR]

Guys,
How do you get an accurate measurement on a five groove slug?
I slugged the barrel on the old rifle today. If I put the slug in the mic and turn it until it just catches the edge of the grooves, that’s my biggest measurement. .430” Is this right or is there a better way?
JKR