Euroarms 1873 44-40 NC-Load with lead ball .428/225 grain

[bigbuck]

Dear all,

After many test loads i do have now a pleasing precise NC-load for my rifle for the 50 meters. (Less than a 1 inch group):-D

Pure generic, without telling you the content right now, What would you recomend to change for the 100-150 meter distance to keep the precision at its best

Thank you for your hints

Greetings from sunny Bavaria

Bigbuck

[bigbuck]

Ok more load information combined with my wish for some more hints

Vv N340 6,5 grain .428/225grain WM sylermolly bullethttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/17/y9u6ahud.jpg

1/2 turn crimp

[bigbuck]

......

[w30wcf]

bigbuck,
Excellent group! SInce you have a good load, based on my experience with longer distance shooting, I would suggest that you use the same load for the 100+ distances.

What does NC mean?

w30wcf

[Dan Cash]

Bigbuck,
I don't know what you mean by NC loads. However, it looks to me like you have what you are looking for if that load and your steady hand and eye give you groups like that every time. Shoot it at 100 meters and see what happens. Keep in mind that the 1873 is not a target rifle in the class of, say, Anshutz. If you have sufficient bullet velocity for reliable killing, you have a heck of a load.

[bigbuck]

Sorry to irritate you. NC= nitro celulose= smoke less powder=modern powder.

I agree for 50meter it is a nice group for my 1873 clone. On 100 meters the group is much worse (12 inch group) so, what should i change in my present load?

[w30wcf]

big buck,
The only reason I can think of for the rapid loss of accuracy at 100 is that the muzzle velocity is possibly too low. In looking at a burning rate chart, N340 appears to be a bit slower burning than Herco.

Alliant recommends 8.5 grs. of Herco for the .44-40 with a 200 gr. bullet. Velocity is shown at 1100 f.p.s. in a 24" barrel. Based on that, I would suggest going to at least 8 grs of N340 with your heavier 225 gr. bullet. I would suggest 9 grs as maximum.

Please tell us more about the bullet.....
Length?
Cast or swaged?

Thank you for the NC meaning. We are so used to just calling it smokeless powder over here that the vintage Nitro Cellulose moniker is not used. However, I am a student of the vintage powders and I should have known what NC meant.......:oops:

w30wcf

[bigbuck]

W30wcf, thank you for your hints. As you see my load was based according to the attached load chart but this was with a 20" barrel and 50y. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/uhu4ubu9.jpg

So my next load will be more grains to get more speed.
I hope it won t come out that i do need two different precision loads for 50 and 100y. My bullet is a made in germany swagged bullet. Sylvermoli is a kind of grease. the bullet has no grease groove but a crimp groove. Picture will follow.
Greetings from sunny bavaria