1888 Winchester 73 44-40 Group

[Terryrm1-03]

Posted on the Mold forum for help on shooting my newly aquired original 1888 Win 73 44-40.
I bought a Lee mold and got .430 dia. boolits. She shot OK. Had help from Missionary Mike, and w30wcf. So I got an Accurate mold 43-220c. Had them make it for .433.
Man, it makes this rifle shoot good! I have a 4" gong at 100yrds and I can ring it every time! The Lee would hit, then they'd be all around it, real close, but no gong.
.003 in diameter makes so much of a difference! This old rifle IS my favorite gun to shoot. I have an original Win 73 38-40 and it does good, but this 44-40 ROCKS!!!!
Man does it have a THUD, and a BIG powder PUFF when she hits!!!
Can't wait now to blow up gallon jugs of H20. Just as fun as my 1883 trapdoor. Blowing up water jugs! Man they, JUST BLOW UP! With these old rifles!
Love this forum and learning here! I love these old guns! Thanks guys!
TR
PS lower group of holes were 1150-1160 FPS.
Soooo, If I make every load exactly 7.5 grs Green Dot. I believe I can do better.
I just got a decent throw, and didn't measure every one.
Unbelievable for this old war horse! The rifle looks terrible, but still shoots great, she's been used hard!

[rollmyown]

You forgot to post pics of the Winchester!

[w30wcf]

Terry,
Nice shooting! I see that you referenced NOE but I think you meant "Accurate"? I have a package on the way to you but the Accurate 43-220C is a very good mold for the .44-40.

w30wcf

[Terryrm1-03]

You forgot to post pics of the Winchester!

Gun pics have been added! I would have requested the same! Sorry for forgetting!
TR

[Terryrm1-03]

YEP! thanks for the update on my target! It is an Accurate Mold 43-220c!
Not NOE. Thanks w30wcf! Just pumped here from all the fun!
Terry

Terry,
Nice shooting! I see that you referenced NOE but I think you meant "Accurate"? I have a package on the way to you but the Accurate 43-220C is a very good mold for the .44-40.

w30wcf

[Terryrm1-03]

Got the rifle pics on, sorry, I would want to see it also!
TR

You forgot to post pics of the Winchester!

[TXGunNut]

Unbelievable for this old war horse! The rifle looks terrible, but still shoots great, she's been used hard!-Terryrm1-03

I beg to differ, that is one handsome old rifle with more character than I'll ever have. I'll always wonder where guns like this one have been, the lives they have touched. I know a couple of old 1873's in 38-40 that really shoot well with BP. Hope you'll get a chance to try it sometime, truly awesome.

[KirkD]

I very much enjoy hearing about successes like this shooting these old '73/s. That is a fine looking rifle that has earned its keep. It has a proud history and it is still going strong!

[Outpost75]

Holy smokes, measuring those four 3-shot groups and discarding the flier you've got a minute of angle rifle there Pardner!

Just kidding!

I truly appreciate your shooting a credible number of shots and showing them ALL. That indeed is a fine rifle, and YOU, Sir, are a marksman~!

[bigted]

from where i set ... i see NOTHING wrong with such a dandy rifle. she has the marks of life is all and like above ... if it could only talk!

good shooting with this ol war horse...she is a keeper for sure.