I have acquired a Navy Arms Winchester '66 with 24" Bbl and have all the components on hand to load up some 200gr RNFP cast bullets using Unique. I will be using Winchester WLP primers and new Starline brass.
I'm getting some conflicting data on loads for this, however. Some are recommending starting loads at around 5.0gr (in the 7xx-fps range at 5600 CUP) and others as high as 8.6gr in the 11xxfps range at 12,500 CUP. The problem is, most of these loads reference the Winchester '73, (NOT the '66) which has the barrel threading into a steel receiver...not brass. Nowhere have I been able to find any definitive max load info based on a brass receiver.
Is it safe to assume (there's that word again!) that any published .44-40 reload data is safe for this gun, or am I going to destroy this thing unless I shoot minimum pressure loads?
Thanks!