ohland
07-19-2015, 07:05 PM
On the Subject of Repeating Rifles
“Lycurgus”
Western Field, vol 12, 1908
https://books.google.com/books?id=TCMPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA124&dq=25+calibre+bullet&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBGoVChMI4_W94ZHoxgIVlVyICh0-OgmZ#v=onepage&q=25%20calibre%20bullet&f=false
Part I – Vol 12, No. 1, Feb 1908 pgs 60-61
ALTHOUGH hundreds of sportsmen have exploited their prowess afield, through the medium of Western Field, they seem to be singularly backward when it comes to a discussion of the merits and deficiencies of modern firearms and accessories. .
The esteemed editor of Western Field informs me that it will be his aim to stimulate an interest in the discussion of subjects relating to the rifle, shotgun and revolver, and with this end in view will devote a special section of the magazine to matters concerning firearms, wherein the veriest novice can air his hastily-formed views, or exude wisdom that does not always develop with increased years and experience; opinionated parties (like the writer) will be afforded opportunities to express opinions that do not always jibe with those of the other fellow; the visionary and inventor may exploit schemes and devices which occasionally may prove of great benefit to sportsmen; and lastly expert riflemen who are thoroughly versed in ballistics, trajectories and the intricacies of firearm mechanism and manufacture, can give us the results of their experiments and experience, thus correcting false impressions which often arise through want of contradiction.
My own experience, especially along the line of scientific research, has not been so extended that I can lay claim to expert knowledge; neither would my marksmanship at the butts excite admiration or envy. However, like hundreds of others I take a keen interest in all that pertains to the hunting rifle.
The first repeating rifle that came into my possession was a .38-40 model 1873 Winchester, with which I did considerable shooting but very little killing. My indifferent execution was due to my inexperience and not to any faults in the rifle, for in other hands it made an enviable record for itself, both in the field and at target and turkey shoots.
This rifle when I secured it (at second hand) was fitted with an exaggerated buckhorn rear sight, while a large slice of silver coin served as front sight —and if a worse combination (outside of the standard factory sights) ever was put on an arm I would like to have a glimpse at it. I soon remedied this, however, by filing the rear sight down to a flat bar with a small notch, and replaced the front sight with a copper bead sight of my own manufacture.
If my marksmanship was not improved thereby it was not the fault of the sights. This rifle and a .22 Winchester Single Shot served me until the model 1886 Winchester came into general use. By this time I had become quite expert in the handling of rifles and never neglected an opportunity to inspect and shoot such arms as I could lay my hands on.
My first chance to make an acquaintance with the 1886 model Winchester came when my friend, Captain Fred Nelson (the Flying Dutchman) fitted out the old sealing schooner "San Diego," for a cruise to northern grounds. Fred and his associates did not have much money, and the old San Diego wasn't much to look at; but for three seasons she broke all records for pelagic sealing. This I believe was due not alone to Nelson's phenomenal luck but also to the fact that the San Diego was outfitted with thoroughly tested and accurate rifles. Three calibres of rifles were selected: the 40-65-260 and .33-56-255 model '86 Winchesters and the .38-55-255 Marlin.
Captain Nelson and the writer put in about a week testing them for accuracy, and, when the San Diego put to sea there was not one rifle aboard that would not throw its bullets inside of a 3/4-inch ring at 100 yards, which was about the limit of accuracy obtainable by us with open sights and a muzzle rest. However, I managed to make a much better showing with one of the .40-65 Winchesters, to which, no doubt, I can trace my partiality for that particular cartridge. Doubtless in the hands of an expert shot every one of the rifles would have confined its shots to a much smaller circle. Nelson also tried out a .32-40 Marlin which was very accurate but considered too light for seal and. otter hunting.
The model 1886 Winchester possesses the strongest action ever placed on a lever functioned repeating rifle; and, until the development and exploitation of high power smokeless powders for sporting rifles, the list of black powder cartridges to which the model '86 was adapted constituted the most powerful and accurate big game loads ever developed for magazine rifles.
There were three groups of these cartridges, of which the .40-82-260, the .38-70-255, the .45-90-300 and .50-110-300 represented, in a modified way, the express type. These used a comparatively light bullet in comparison to the powder charge and developed a corresponding high velocity and flat trajectory. Probably the most popular of those mentioned was the .45-90. Chambers cut for this load also took the .45-85-350, the .45-85-300 hollow point, and the .45-82-405 cartridges; so that the cranky rifleman who possessed a .45-90 had no kick coming as to a scarcity of loads adapted to his weapon.
The standard twist or rifling for the .45-90-300 Winchester was one turn in 32 inches, which would make it seem that while the heavier bullets might be shot from the same rifle with fair results a quicker twist would be required to bring out their best qualities. However, there is so much variation between the twists used by different makers for the same cartridges that it is hard to say just what does constitute the proper twist for any particular load. As an example: the Marlin people cut their .45-90 with a 20-inch twist the same as they do the barrel for the regular .45-70-405, and yet there is a tremendous, variation between these loads, to say nothing of the variation between the .45-90-300 and 45-70-500.
For those who preferred the semi-express cartridge but objected to the unpleasant recoil of the .45-90, the .40-82 and the .38-70-255 offered excellent combinations of powder and lead and the former had quite a vogue. The .50-110-300 was too powerful for ordinary hunting purposes: it was suitable only for use on large or dangerous game. I knew a party once who owned such a rifle, and the possibility that he might be called upon to shoot it seemed to worry him more than the prospect that he would not see anything to shoot at. Of course there are exceptional individuals who prefer such a weapon and can shoot accurately with it, but the average shooter would do well to keep its bullets within a 6-inch circle at 50 yards, shooting offhand.
A second group of cartridges consisted of the .40-70-330, the .45-70 with its assortment of loads, and the .50-100-450. These were all extremely powerful cartridges but the .45-70 was by far the most popular and its prestige was equal to that of the .45-90. This group carried a heavier bullet in proportion to the powder charge than the semi-express type, with a consequent higher trajectory and loss in velocity, but the .45-70 especially was a game killer and the man who carried one could take chances with anything that wore hair.
I have never had an opportunity to try either the .40-70-330 or the .50-100, but the former combination impresses me as being an excellent one for large game. The .50-100-450, like the .50-110, is too powerful for consideration except as a grizzly gun.
Of the third group was the .38-56-255 and the .40-65-260 cartridges. Both were splendid loads for deer and game of like or even larger size. I preferred the .40-65 because of the fact that it had a straight taper shell which was better adapted to reloading. There was no question as to the accuracy of either of these rifles and I would be pleased if I could duplicate some of the shooting I have done with the .40-65. However, most of the cartridges above mentioned have been superseded by the small-calibred high-pressure arms; and although it is now possible to secure high velocity, low pressure ammunition for many of them, they will never regain the place they once held in the hearts of American riflemen.
There is, however, one cartridge that will prevent the model 1886 Winchester from becoming a back number: I refer to the .33 Winchester high pressure cartridge. For all around big game shooting it is my humble opinion that the .33 Winchester is the best rifle manufactured. As I have said before, I believe that the '86 action is the strongest and surest ever placed on a magazine rifle, whether lever or bolt functioned. Instead of presenting you with two inches of useless steel the Winchester Company has cut the length of the barrel down to 24 inches and the result is that the rifle balances like a shotgun and yet is not muzzle light. The bullet is .338 in diameter, is flat ended and weighs 200 grains. With a charge of about 35 grains of high power smokeless powder it develops a velocity of 2000 feet per second and a muzzle energy of 1868 foot pounds.
Its flat point causes it to expand readily on animal tissue, while at the same time it has length enough to hold together and deliver a goodly proportion of its metal in the vitals even when shot through bullet deforming obstructions, such as tough hide, gristle and small bones. In comparison with the .35 calibre cartridge for the Remington automatic, the .33 Winchester cartridge appears rather clumsy and ill proportioned, but this extreme taper from head to mouth of shell was necessary in order to make it comply with the standard base measurement of all shells adapted to the '86 frame.
Really the only complaint which might be made against the .33 Winchester is that, as in all other tubular magazine rifles, the tips of the bullets are liable to become slightly battered or deformed. Just how much these slight deformities might influence the flight of the projectiles I don't know, but so far as I have been able to determine through tests with my own rifle, they shot just as accurately at ordinary hunting ranges, say up to 200 yards, as the perfect bullets. It remains for some expert shot, who is accustomed to cutting hairs at such ranges, to tell us just how many hundredths of an inch variation such battering is responsible for in any deviation from the dead center.
"LYCURGUS."
“Lycurgus”
Western Field, vol 12, 1908
https://books.google.com/books?id=TCMPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA124&dq=25+calibre+bullet&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBGoVChMI4_W94ZHoxgIVlVyICh0-OgmZ#v=onepage&q=25%20calibre%20bullet&f=false
Part I – Vol 12, No. 1, Feb 1908 pgs 60-61
ALTHOUGH hundreds of sportsmen have exploited their prowess afield, through the medium of Western Field, they seem to be singularly backward when it comes to a discussion of the merits and deficiencies of modern firearms and accessories. .
The esteemed editor of Western Field informs me that it will be his aim to stimulate an interest in the discussion of subjects relating to the rifle, shotgun and revolver, and with this end in view will devote a special section of the magazine to matters concerning firearms, wherein the veriest novice can air his hastily-formed views, or exude wisdom that does not always develop with increased years and experience; opinionated parties (like the writer) will be afforded opportunities to express opinions that do not always jibe with those of the other fellow; the visionary and inventor may exploit schemes and devices which occasionally may prove of great benefit to sportsmen; and lastly expert riflemen who are thoroughly versed in ballistics, trajectories and the intricacies of firearm mechanism and manufacture, can give us the results of their experiments and experience, thus correcting false impressions which often arise through want of contradiction.
My own experience, especially along the line of scientific research, has not been so extended that I can lay claim to expert knowledge; neither would my marksmanship at the butts excite admiration or envy. However, like hundreds of others I take a keen interest in all that pertains to the hunting rifle.
The first repeating rifle that came into my possession was a .38-40 model 1873 Winchester, with which I did considerable shooting but very little killing. My indifferent execution was due to my inexperience and not to any faults in the rifle, for in other hands it made an enviable record for itself, both in the field and at target and turkey shoots.
This rifle when I secured it (at second hand) was fitted with an exaggerated buckhorn rear sight, while a large slice of silver coin served as front sight —and if a worse combination (outside of the standard factory sights) ever was put on an arm I would like to have a glimpse at it. I soon remedied this, however, by filing the rear sight down to a flat bar with a small notch, and replaced the front sight with a copper bead sight of my own manufacture.
If my marksmanship was not improved thereby it was not the fault of the sights. This rifle and a .22 Winchester Single Shot served me until the model 1886 Winchester came into general use. By this time I had become quite expert in the handling of rifles and never neglected an opportunity to inspect and shoot such arms as I could lay my hands on.
My first chance to make an acquaintance with the 1886 model Winchester came when my friend, Captain Fred Nelson (the Flying Dutchman) fitted out the old sealing schooner "San Diego," for a cruise to northern grounds. Fred and his associates did not have much money, and the old San Diego wasn't much to look at; but for three seasons she broke all records for pelagic sealing. This I believe was due not alone to Nelson's phenomenal luck but also to the fact that the San Diego was outfitted with thoroughly tested and accurate rifles. Three calibres of rifles were selected: the 40-65-260 and .33-56-255 model '86 Winchesters and the .38-55-255 Marlin.
Captain Nelson and the writer put in about a week testing them for accuracy, and, when the San Diego put to sea there was not one rifle aboard that would not throw its bullets inside of a 3/4-inch ring at 100 yards, which was about the limit of accuracy obtainable by us with open sights and a muzzle rest. However, I managed to make a much better showing with one of the .40-65 Winchesters, to which, no doubt, I can trace my partiality for that particular cartridge. Doubtless in the hands of an expert shot every one of the rifles would have confined its shots to a much smaller circle. Nelson also tried out a .32-40 Marlin which was very accurate but considered too light for seal and. otter hunting.
The model 1886 Winchester possesses the strongest action ever placed on a lever functioned repeating rifle; and, until the development and exploitation of high power smokeless powders for sporting rifles, the list of black powder cartridges to which the model '86 was adapted constituted the most powerful and accurate big game loads ever developed for magazine rifles.
There were three groups of these cartridges, of which the .40-82-260, the .38-70-255, the .45-90-300 and .50-110-300 represented, in a modified way, the express type. These used a comparatively light bullet in comparison to the powder charge and developed a corresponding high velocity and flat trajectory. Probably the most popular of those mentioned was the .45-90. Chambers cut for this load also took the .45-85-350, the .45-85-300 hollow point, and the .45-82-405 cartridges; so that the cranky rifleman who possessed a .45-90 had no kick coming as to a scarcity of loads adapted to his weapon.
The standard twist or rifling for the .45-90-300 Winchester was one turn in 32 inches, which would make it seem that while the heavier bullets might be shot from the same rifle with fair results a quicker twist would be required to bring out their best qualities. However, there is so much variation between the twists used by different makers for the same cartridges that it is hard to say just what does constitute the proper twist for any particular load. As an example: the Marlin people cut their .45-90 with a 20-inch twist the same as they do the barrel for the regular .45-70-405, and yet there is a tremendous, variation between these loads, to say nothing of the variation between the .45-90-300 and 45-70-500.
For those who preferred the semi-express cartridge but objected to the unpleasant recoil of the .45-90, the .40-82 and the .38-70-255 offered excellent combinations of powder and lead and the former had quite a vogue. The .50-110-300 was too powerful for ordinary hunting purposes: it was suitable only for use on large or dangerous game. I knew a party once who owned such a rifle, and the possibility that he might be called upon to shoot it seemed to worry him more than the prospect that he would not see anything to shoot at. Of course there are exceptional individuals who prefer such a weapon and can shoot accurately with it, but the average shooter would do well to keep its bullets within a 6-inch circle at 50 yards, shooting offhand.
A second group of cartridges consisted of the .40-70-330, the .45-70 with its assortment of loads, and the .50-100-450. These were all extremely powerful cartridges but the .45-70 was by far the most popular and its prestige was equal to that of the .45-90. This group carried a heavier bullet in proportion to the powder charge than the semi-express type, with a consequent higher trajectory and loss in velocity, but the .45-70 especially was a game killer and the man who carried one could take chances with anything that wore hair.
I have never had an opportunity to try either the .40-70-330 or the .50-100, but the former combination impresses me as being an excellent one for large game. The .50-100-450, like the .50-110, is too powerful for consideration except as a grizzly gun.
Of the third group was the .38-56-255 and the .40-65-260 cartridges. Both were splendid loads for deer and game of like or even larger size. I preferred the .40-65 because of the fact that it had a straight taper shell which was better adapted to reloading. There was no question as to the accuracy of either of these rifles and I would be pleased if I could duplicate some of the shooting I have done with the .40-65. However, most of the cartridges above mentioned have been superseded by the small-calibred high-pressure arms; and although it is now possible to secure high velocity, low pressure ammunition for many of them, they will never regain the place they once held in the hearts of American riflemen.
There is, however, one cartridge that will prevent the model 1886 Winchester from becoming a back number: I refer to the .33 Winchester high pressure cartridge. For all around big game shooting it is my humble opinion that the .33 Winchester is the best rifle manufactured. As I have said before, I believe that the '86 action is the strongest and surest ever placed on a magazine rifle, whether lever or bolt functioned. Instead of presenting you with two inches of useless steel the Winchester Company has cut the length of the barrel down to 24 inches and the result is that the rifle balances like a shotgun and yet is not muzzle light. The bullet is .338 in diameter, is flat ended and weighs 200 grains. With a charge of about 35 grains of high power smokeless powder it develops a velocity of 2000 feet per second and a muzzle energy of 1868 foot pounds.
Its flat point causes it to expand readily on animal tissue, while at the same time it has length enough to hold together and deliver a goodly proportion of its metal in the vitals even when shot through bullet deforming obstructions, such as tough hide, gristle and small bones. In comparison with the .35 calibre cartridge for the Remington automatic, the .33 Winchester cartridge appears rather clumsy and ill proportioned, but this extreme taper from head to mouth of shell was necessary in order to make it comply with the standard base measurement of all shells adapted to the '86 frame.
Really the only complaint which might be made against the .33 Winchester is that, as in all other tubular magazine rifles, the tips of the bullets are liable to become slightly battered or deformed. Just how much these slight deformities might influence the flight of the projectiles I don't know, but so far as I have been able to determine through tests with my own rifle, they shot just as accurately at ordinary hunting ranges, say up to 200 yards, as the perfect bullets. It remains for some expert shot, who is accustomed to cutting hairs at such ranges, to tell us just how many hundredths of an inch variation such battering is responsible for in any deviation from the dead center.
"LYCURGUS."