1886 Uberti and 44-40 Fun!

[35 Whelen]

I got this rifle used a couple of weeks ago and am having SO much fun with it. Settled on a load of 9.5 grs. of Unique under a 220 gr. RNFP from an NOE mould. Got the ladder sights regulated at 100, 200 and 300 yds. so now all I have to do is SHOOT!

100 yds. (called the "OOPS" low one):

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/20160116_104543_zpswkyvlhvx.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/20160116_104543_zpswkyvlhvx.jpg.html)

200 yds.- that's an 9 shot cluster at the bottom with about 6 of them consecutive shots.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yd.%20close%20up_zpsl53rglt8.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yd.%20close%20up_zpsl53rglt8.jpg.html)

Another 200-

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yds._zpsgyhz345k.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yds._zpsgyhz345k.jpg.html)



300 yds.-

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/300%20yds.%20with%20Unique_zpshasgqca3.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1873%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/300%20yds.%20with%20Unique_zpshasgqca3.jpg.html)

Have also used a healthy charge of Swiss 3Fg with very similar accuracy.

35W

[stubbicatt]

Neat. Looks like you have a good 'un there. :)

[LIMPINGJ]

With what looks like the 24 inch barrel how much does it weigh?

[35 Whelen]

With what looks like the 24 inch barrel how much does it weigh?

Alot. Loaded with 13 rounds, I'd guess around 9 lbs. I'm in the process of designing a leather slip on/slip off sling. But I don't intend to carry it a whole lot as I have a '73 SRC in .44 Magnum that is lighter and handier. The long rifle is more for fun than a anything.

35W

[HABCAN]

Isn't that a '66, not an '86??

[35 Whelen]

Isn't that a '66, not an '86??

You are correct! But I can't figure out a way to edit the title.

35W

[Outpost75]

That is some fine shootin' AND a nice rifle, Bucko!

Bravo Zulu!

[ironhead7544]

Beauty. The 1866 is one of the best looking rifles ever made.

Would like to hear more about that 44 Magnum 1873. Very little info on that one out there.

[35 Whelen]

Beauty. The 1866 is one of the best looking rifles ever made.

Would like to hear more about that 44 Magnum 1873. Very little info on that one out there.

Scroll down the lever gun forum a ways or search my posts. I provided a little info.

35W

[krems]

Nice looking rifle. I've never owned an 1866 rifle. I haven't paid any attention to them either until now. What's the main difference in action parts when comparing to the 1873 rifles. Are the 1873 toggle links any stronger than the 1866?.........I'm in the market for a cowboy lever in 44-40, either a 1873 or 1866. Can't really decide yet.

[35 Whelen]

Nice looking rifle. I've never owned an 1866 rifle. I haven't paid any attention to them either until now. What's the main difference in action parts when comparing to the 1873 rifles. Are the 1873 toggle links any stronger than the 1866?.........I'm in the market for a cowboy lever in 44-40, either a 1873 or 1866. Can't really decide yet.

There's no difference in the toggle links or link pins they all have the same part number whether they're for a Henry, 1866 or 1873, and regardless of caliber, even the .44 Magnum evidently. So what should that tell us? That the links are not the weak link! (Pun intended)

I found it interesting that with Swiss 3Fg black powder, I could attain velocities of 1400 fps with a 220 gr. bullet.

I bought the '66 for two reasons; its authentic look and most of all the ladder sight and the fact that one can shoot at long ranges with it. If a fellow only wants to shoot CAS, I suppose most and model would do.

35W

[w30wcf]

35 Whelen,
Nice! Thank you for the info and neat pics. My most fun with my '73 .44 W.C.F. is shooting steel targets at longer distances.
Fun! Fun! Fun!

Glad to see that the NOE bullet is working well for you. I have worked with Swiss 3F and as you indicated, it will push a bullet into the 1400 f.p.s. range. Interestingly, early 44-40 Semi Smokeless cartridges achieved in the mid 1400's according to my testing of these earlier rounds. I had to replace the primers though because they were dead.

Another powder that stays within SAMMI specs for the .44-40 is RL7. A capacity load will also deliver velocities in the mid 1,400's.

I do find though that 36/Swiss FFG pushes the 427098 to the original 1,300 fps and shoots very well at extended distances.

w30wcf

[35 Whelen]

Thanks W30WCF. I read your posts and tests with great interest and find them fascinating. I loaded 2.5cc of the Swiss 3f and likewise achieved 1400 fps, but I had already begun regulating the sights with the 1300 fps load, so I didn't pursue or shoot that load much.

I'd REALLY like to get the Accurate mould version of the original bullet with the large lube groove (I believe thats your design, correct?) and load it up to 1400. I could easily get a second front sight and second rear elevator and just switch them out. For hunting I believe the NOE bullet I'm using now might be a little better due to its larger meplat, but I like the looks of the original bullet.

I also plan on stopping by the local gun shop and picking up a pound of Re7 and Unique. Don't know if I'll get to shoot much this weekend because lately shooting has been usurping the chores that need to be done AND I'm out of bullets. I realized last night that I've fired almost 500 rounds through the rifle in about one month!

35W

[enfield]

I have the Accurate mould for the 38-40 with the big groove, very nice mould, and I thought it was great that I could get a 3 cavity mould from them with 3 different calibers. ( and specify dimensions to boot ). Great product.

[georgerkahn]

I share your joy, also owning one of these beaut's! Mine, used but never shot, was not too pretty vis oxidized brass. But, a half-hour's fun with some Flitz and paper towels had it mirror-shining! I was curious re date of its manufacture, and contacted Uberti. They -- a very nice young lady named Suzanne Webb (Info@ubertireplicas.it) -- quickly got back to me, advising mine, Serial #95XXX was made on 17 July 2003.
I LOVE mine, and my very best wishes re yours to you!
george

[Coogs]

Love the cartridge. Shoot a Win '73 in .44 WCF quite a bit, and have 4 Ruger Vaquero's in .44-40. Lots of fun! Coogs

[Kevinakaq]

Nice find. I have a Uberti 66 in 45lc and have not shot bp in it. I do own a couple 44-40's (Traditions 1873 SAA clone and an EMF 1875 Outlaw). Exclusively shoot black in the pair. Last time I was at the quarry i heard the guys talking to the left of me say "looks like we have Josey Wales over here". LoL, being a pure southernor living in the north they had no idea how true that was! Should have sent them on a 'Missouri boat ride'. Turned out to be some nice guys who worked at the Sig plant here in Exeter. I digress.

Been looking for a nice 44-40 in either a Rossi 92 or 1873 for a while myself. Found several hens teeth along the way but no 44-40 yet. Great find and looks like you are having a great time.

[35 Whelen]

Nice find. I have a Uberti 66 in 45lc and have not shot bp in it. I do own a couple 44-40's (Traditions 1873 SAA clone and an EMF 1875 Outlaw). Exclusively shoot back in the pair. Last time I was at the quarry i heard the guys talking to the left of me say "looks like we have Josey Wales over here". LoL, being a pure southernor living inthe north they had no idea how true that was! Should have sent them on a 'Missouri boat ride'. Turned out to be some nice guys who worked at the Sig plant here in Exeter. I digress.

Been looking for a nice 44-40 in either a Rossi 92 or 1873 for a while myself. Found several hens teeth along the way but no 44-40 yet. Great find and looks like you are having a great time.

Watch the SASS Wire classifieds and Armslist. '66's and '73's turn up there, worth the money' fairly often.

35W

[35 Whelen]

Nice find. I have a Uberti 66 in 45lc and have not shot bp in it. I do own a couple 44-40's (Traditions 1873 SAA clone and an EMF 1875 Outlaw). Exclusively shoot black in the pair. Last time I was at the quarry i heard the guys talking to the left of me say "looks like we have Josey Wales over here". LoL, being a pure southernor living in the north they had no idea how true that was! Should have sent them on a 'Missouri boat ride'. Turned out to be some nice guys who worked at the Sig plant here in Exeter. I digress.

Been looking for a nice 44-40 in either a Rossi 92 or 1873 for a while myself. Found several hens teeth along the way but no 44-40 yet. Great find and looks like you are having a great time.

Here's one that's really a pretty good buy:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,56875.0.html

And another...

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=244833

Good luck,

35W

[Calamity Jake]

Keep the loads mild as that brass frame stretches easy causing head space problems.

[hightime]

Isn't that a rather stout load?
I love to load and shoot the 44-40, but haven't tried over 8.2'unique behind 220 rdn. In my Uberti Henry. Glad to see such a pretty gun in a great caliber.
Thanks!

Owen

[35 Whelen]

Isn't that a rather stout load?
I love to load and shoot the 44-40, but haven't tried over 8.2'unique behind 220 rdn. In my Uberti Henry. Glad to see such a pretty gun in a great caliber.
Thanks!

Owen

Depends on where you look. At www.loaddata.Com some max loads were lighter, some as much as 1.5 grs. heavier. I've fired close to 500 of this load through it so far (I know this because I just finished casting my third 10 lb. pot of bullets!)with absolutely no I'll effects. Extraction is super easy and in some cases I don't even bother sizing the brass; just pop the spent primer out, bell the mouth and reload.

35W

[avogunner]

Very, very, nice 35W! I have a Uberti Henry that I haven't exercised in a while and I'm inspired to try and duplicate your results. Mine though is a .45 Colt and I usually run 8.0gr of Unique under the 454190 (sized .452). I do love shooting these old levers.