New rifle

[Don McDowell]

Just put the range finder on it, 31 yards, and used a very deep 6 oclock to get those 2 on top of the red bull.

[JKR]

Don,
Real nice looking 73! 1894 would make it a third model, I believe. Will you load with smokeless? I’ve used 2400 with good results in my 44-40. I can’t say that it shoots any better than with Swiss 1 1/2 tho.
Jim

[Don McDowell]

I might run it with some bludot. I've had good results using that in other rifles and handguns in the wcf chambering's and the 45 colt. I have a pretty heathy supply of bh209 so until Estes gets Olde Eynsford back in production I'll keep my stock of 3f reserved for the 40 caliber flintlock and the 44 wcf.

[Kurt]

Don,

That BH-209 you mentioned, I have a couple cans of that stuff I won as a door price several years ago, How do you load that stuff? like black?

[JKR]

Don,
I’ve had very good results with Blue Dot in cast bullet loads too. I’ve not tried it in the 73 though but I’m sure it might work well. I’m out of it now and it’s hard to find around here. I’m pretty cautious with my 73, it being an early second model. For smokeless I’ve stuck with loads tested and recommended by John Kort.
I’ve shot a good amount of Black through it. I had some 3F Schutzen that gave good 100 yard groups.
Jim

[Don McDowell]

Jim the bluedot loads I use are out of a hercules manual about the time they became Alliant. The Alliant load guide kept those for a while until the Speer outfit took over then it all changed. But basically I found 12.5 grains to work in both the 38 and 44 wcf's and the 45 colt. Altho they indicated you could go to `12.9 in the 44. I am down to my last jug of it so I am being quite cautious with how much of I use..

Kurt google blackthorn 209 load data sheet, it lists loads for most of they good cartridges. It's bulky stuff, I'm shooting 20.5 grains in the 38 wcf, and it fills the case to close to the same point as 33 of OE 3 f.

As I sidetone on this rifle. Today I went over to Doc's house and set some fence posts for him. After dinner we went out on his deck and took a few cracks at his 135 yard buffalo target. It's not quite the size of a silhouette ram. But if you didn't let the front sight slide over the top of the white bullseye he has painted on it that thing would sure ring and swing. If you let the front sight over the bull it kicked dirt out of the hill over the top of his back.