Winchester 73

[JKR]

My mother in law gifted me a nice old second model 73. I knew she loved me!? It’s been in my wife’s family for 120+ years. So far, the only problem I see is the set trigger doesn’t work. I haven’t had it apart yet, so not sure what’s wrong there.
The bore is actually looking pretty good. Of course, I want to shoot it so I’ll be on the hunt for 44-40 stuff to load for it.
I don’t know yet if I’ll need trigger parts. Is anyone making aftermarket parts for 73’s?
Any bullet mould suggestions?
JKR

[Don McDowell]

Might just be gunk from dried oil and dust messing with the trigger.
Best bet would be to try and get a chamber cast or slug the barrel to see what the bore and groove measurement is before ordering a mould. But most any of the 200-205 gr cast bullet designs would work.
I like the Hornady and Redding dies for the wcf cartridges.

[JKR]

Yes. I’ve only removed the side plates so far. There’s a hundred years of dried up gunk in there. I’ll get farther into it next week.
There is no spring feel when the trigger is pushed ahead which leads me to believe the set trigger spring may be broken or missing. This is all speculation at this point.
I will slug the bore and do a cast after I get things cleaned up.
I’m not seeing any brass available anywhere so it may be good long while before I can shoot it. Right now it’s just the project I need for these cold winter days.
JKR

[Don McDowell]

Well after you figure out what the problems with the trigger etc are, and get a set of dies, I know a fella that can fix you up with some brass...

[JKR]

That great to know, Don! It’ll be a while though. I’m planning to milk this project out to get through the winter on!
JKR

[Don McDowell]

Not a problem. Hope you get the bugger running soon.

[Kurt]

That rifle sounds like a valued treasure to have handed down.

I use the Accurate arms 43-280F bullet in my .444 Marlin and the .44-40 revolver. I ordered this two cavity brass mould from Tom and I must say that both bullets are identical in every way. I found mo difference between the two.

Also before Starline made a run of .44-40 brass I ran .44 mag brass through the .44-40 sizing die and they functioned well in the revolver.

[Don McDowell]

The twist in that original 73 probably wouldn't even begin to stabilize that 280 gr bullet?
Surprised at the difference in diameter between the 44 mag and the 44 wcf cases those 44 mag cases didn't split.

[Kurt]

Thy might be on the long side but they shoot good tin the revolver and the .44 mag.
Nope no splits and they are still in the box with the .44-40's.

[beltfed]

The 44-40 loads, unless one is trying to duplicate the old HV Loads, are quite low in pressure- as in BP level.

I am not surprised that The Very Strong 44 Mag brass, even with a "base swell" into the 44-40 chamber
have no problem.
Arnie