My 1st Win 1892 in 44-40

[Win86]

Found 1st year production 1892 awhile back setting in the closet of an old pawn shop; caliber is 44wcf. As it checks out juse fine and with mint bore, I plan to shoot it with some 200 grain lead boolits trying 2400 for starters. Like asking you fellas your experiences on charges using that powder while staying about 1300 fps or less to stay within 73 Win loads, nothing HV- Thanks.

GC45

[missionary5155]

Greetings
1st thing is to plan on a FAT throat area. You need to slug it. My 2nd year is .432 My 1907 year is .431. So if you want to save ypourself alot of grief sklug that throat.
I have founf the Saeco #443 220 pb to shoot very well in both. 30-1 drops at .434 from my mold. 8 grains Unique is my plinking load. 9 grains for popping pesky critters out in the desert. No adverse pressure and easy on brass.
Same boolit with a almost case full of 3F is also a fine perfomer. I use 50/50 beeswax and olive oil for lube. In hot times 45% O oil.
These are fine rifles to shoot.

[KirkD]

I use 16 grains of 2400 under a 200 grain soft cast boolit (pure wheelweights) for 1,312 fps (according to my chronograph). This is a good, safe load for both the '73 and the '92. Congratulations on your nice acquisition.

[Win86]

So here's the 1892 I picked up, 4-digit serial# and in 44-40 caliber. Having others in 25 and 32 caliber, this is my 1st 44wcf! Notice added front site, flip up globe type with ivory bead. No mention of this site in Cody letter but I do have proper sites here so for now, will leave it alone and shoot as is.

GC45



http://i.imgur.com/IFszAl.jpg in

[missionary5155]

Howdy
Nice 92 ! I have never had a long barrel model.. I guess all mine have been carbines.

[405]

Nice rifle! I have a weakness for Win 73s and 92s with "mint" bores. If the bore is mint then whatever you paid for a 1st yr 44-40 is just right. That cartridge is very easy to get along with. Your plan to stay at 73 pressures and velocities is wise. The 200 gr plain base, fairly soft alloy original style bullet over light charge of Trailboss or 2400 at about 900-1000 fps is a pleasure to shoot. Current 200 gr 44-40 blackpowder loading yields about 1000-1100 fps.

[grubbylabs]

That's a nice looking find

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have one made in 1910. It is a bit scruffy, but bore is ok (not mint, but ok). I was under the impression that pre 1896 or thereabouts are BP only as the steels can crystallise. 96 was when they introduced nickle steels I have been told.

Obviously you guys use light smokless without probs.

Mine is a half mag style, which was how most were sold here.

[cajun shooter]

The Missouri bullet company carries some good bullets with the RNFP design with a crimp groove if you are shooting smokeless. If you cast then the RCBS 44-200-FN is a good choice. I shoot only BP and the 44-40 is my caliber of choice with a modified Lyman 427098 mould. The molds are made by Accurate Moulds and sell for $119 to your door in Brass. You are very lucky as that is one nice looking rifle.

[Win86]

Cajun;
Thanks for all the info, very useful! Soon as I get off my ars and slug the bore, I'll be looking for bullets or quality mold maker. Although casting for all my rifles and revolvers doubt I'll shoot this one much so thinking a few hundred bullets would last me quite awhile, several deer hunts anyway.

Win86

[Four Fingers of Death]

Cajun;
Thanks for all the info, very useful! Soon as I get off my ars and slug the bore, I'll be looking for bullets or quality mold maker. Although casting for all my rifles and revolvers doubt I'll shoot this one much so thinking a few hundred bullets would last me quite awhile, several deer hunts anyway.

Win86

The Big Lube Boolit mould is the ticket, but if you aren't going to shoot that many of them, Swede who posts here (mostly on the group buy page I think) sells these sized and lubed. Couple hundred of them and you will be good to go!

[Win86]

Hey Four Fingers; I talked to the guy making Big lube bullets and then ordered some; what a great guy to talk with and he actually called my back when leaving a message!nobody does than anymore, dang few anyway. We had a great talk about the 44-40's and all their demensions plus he offered to make mine as I wanted them for best fit to my rifles groove size. I'll be trying 5744, 2400 and maybe Unique with these bullets so will report their accuracy asap. Mine will be soft cast 1 in 40 as velocity will be kept to revolver specs of 800-850 but shot in my 92 Win.

Win86

[Four Fingers of Death]

Hey Four Fingers; I talked to the guy making Big lube bullets and then ordered some; what a great guy to talk with and he actually called my back when leaving a message!nobody does than anymore, dang few anyway. We had a great talk about the 44-40's and all their demensions plus he offered to make mine as I wanted them for best fit to my rifles groove size. I'll be trying 5744, 2400 and maybe Unique with these bullets so will report their accuracy asap. Mine will be soft cast 1 in 40 as velocity will be kept to revolver specs of 800-850 but shot in my 92 Win.

Win86

That would be Dick Rhody, aka Darstardly Dan. A gentleman and a scholar. If you get into casting he sells nice moulds as well. He used to use Lees which were ok, but he now uses another manafacturer and they are very well made.

[Just Duke]

What a score!