Amazing 1866 Yellowboy 44-40

[35 Whelen]

I picked up a Uberti 1866 Yellowboy in 44-40 awhile back to resell. I always take a few pictures to post with whatever I'm selling and if it's a used firearm, I'll see how she shoots. Enter this 44-40. I know little about the cartridge, but I threw a few loads together consisting of 9.0 grs. of Unique and a 220 gr. RNFP bullet out of an NOE mould. It chrono'ed at 1267 fps, so is similar to the factory load.

What with the somewhat crude rear sight and the gusty wind quartering from my right, I didn't expect much in the way of groups. Boy, was I wrong!

5 shots @ 100 yds:

86503

Flipped the ladder sight up and started firing at my 200 yd. gong. 8 shots later:


86504

I hope I get to try her again on a more calm day. I almost hate to sell her!

35W

[jmort]

The 1866 and 1873 Uberti Lever Actions are really nice, and your model looks real good. It would be hard to part with that gun.

[35 Whelen]

Thanks, it WILL be hard to sell.

[Calamity Jake]

If you plan on keeping it then back off on that load as that brass frame stretches easy.
I shot one for over 5 years, never exceed 900-1000 fps.

[35 Whelen]

If you plan on keeping it then back off on that load as that brass frame stretches easy.
I shot one for over 5 years, never exceed 900-1000 fps.

I think it'll be all right. Depending on which manual you reference, that 9.0 gr load is at and in some cases (RCBS Cast Bullet Manual 1) under maximum. That velocity is right on par with factory ammunition.

35W