Grandfather's Model '73 44-40

[Old Scribe]

Here is a photo of my grandfather's 1873 44-40.The serial number indicates it was made in 1879. I have a photo of "Gramps" on horseback with this rifle taken circa 1918.

The rifle has seen well over 100 years of use and is still a shooter. The bore slugged out at .429.

I'm waiting for a mould I bought from another forum member to begin loading bp. Until recently I hadn't shot this old girl for about 40 years and am looking forward to loading up again.

Steve136614

[Prodigal Son]

Sweet! Hope it brings you warm memories!

[missionary5155]

Good morning
That is a treasure to well enjoyed. May you have many years of fine days enjoying that rifle. Should you have the time I would enjoy to see a few close ups of the rifle.
Mike in Peru

[Ballistics in Scotland]

It's a marvelous rifle, and if I wanted a 73 I would much prefer one when it was state of the art by worldwide standards, than filling a small market niche for people who believed the 86 and the 92 weren't making them like they used to be.

But the 73 changed from iron to steel frame in the early 80s. 1884 is what I have seen quoted, but I wouldn't like to count on it not varying a bit. This isn't a great source of weakness. I think it would be forged rather than cast, and rust gets hold less easily in iron. But even more than in other 73s, I would stick to approximately black powder pressures. There is a lot you can do with it that way.

[clum553946]

Very nice looking rifle & you're lucky to have such a great memory tied to it. I love shooting the 44-40! Congrats!

[lobogunleather]

Great looking rifle and a great story. Wonderful to have that stay in the family.

I obtained my first .44-40 a few months ago, a Marlin 1894 (1905 production), and have started loading ammunition for it. One piece of equipment I recommend highly for cast bullet loads in general, and the older thin-walled brass cases especially, is the Lyman M-die, used for neck expansion prior to bullet seating. Eliminating the usual expander ball used with the sizer die makes the whole process easier, more accurate, and just about eliminates ruined brass. The Lyman M-die for .44-40 was in stock at MidwayUSA when I ordered recently.

Enjoy!

[missionary5155]

Greetings
About pressure. My formula for staying with in the real pressure limitations of the 44 WCF 73's is to load a case with 2F under the standard 200 grain bullet. Fire that one round over a cronograph. That is your max velocity for smokeless. I like 2400 and ACC 5744 as my smokeless substitutes. No surprises and near impossible to double charge. No pressure spikes to worry about. Decent accuracy.
Mike in Peru

[John Allen]

I love shooting the old stuff and you have a nice one there. Enjoy it.

[smokeywolf]

Steve, sweet rifle. As was previously said, 5744 works well for duplicating black powder loads and pressure curves.

smokeywolf

[FromTheWoods]

How wonderful to have a photo of your Grandfather with his rifle. Glad for you to hear that you are going to be shooting it again. As you likely know, those rifles our ancestors have given us bring with them a pure spirituality which can't be found elsewhere.

I am fortunate to have my Great-grandfather's '73 (.38 WCF, 1885.) My youngest son will be taking it home with him one day soon. And the four of us before him, who hunted with it and grew old, will be with him when he carries it in the woods.

You have all summer to find an accurate load--then deer season!