Safe to shoot?

[Captain*Kirk]

As some of you may have read in other threads, I recently purchased a Navy Arms Winchester '66 repro rifle with a 1978 date code, chambered in .44-40 WCF. I have not yet made the decision whether or not to load BPCR in this rifle, but wondering about the advisability of shooting smokeless loads through a brass receiver rifle (has the same receiver as the Henry repros).
Most likely, I would want to start out loading 200gr boolits or commercially available cast lead bullets and less than 9 grains of Unique, but just want to make sure this gun is up to smokeless pressures before loading any. Since I bought it used, no paperwork came with it, and of course, Navy Arms is long out of business. There are no markings on the gun restricting it to black powder only, and while I will most likely get there sooner or later, starting out with smokeless would be the easiest and most convenient route. If anyone can link me to information about this gun, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Ajohns]

Others will chime in but 8grs may be a little more safe. Some may say Trailboss too towards a minimum to middle grain loading.

[Outpost75]

Any of the "Group 1" loads shown in Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition (2010) on p.208:

#427098 205-grains #2 alloy, OAL 1.592"
Unique 7.9 grains is shown as max

[Captain*Kirk]

Any of the "Group 1" loads shown in Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition (2010) on p.208:

#427098 205-grains #2 alloy, OAL 1.592"
Unique 7.9 grains is shown as max

That sounds right in the ballpark! Thank you.

[NyFirefighter357]

https://www.uberti-usa.com/sites/default/files/originals/product-manuals/1866_rifle.pdf

[Hootmix]

What barrel length ?

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[35 Whelen]

Data varies a lot in this caliber. My RCBS cast manual shows 10.0 grs. I shoot 9.5 grs. of Unique and a 220 gr. cast RNFP, just about exclusively, in my 1866 Uberti 44-40 with no problems at all. But I hunt with mine, if I were just shooting, I'd probably back off a half grain or so.

35W

[Captain*Kirk]

What barrel length ?

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

24" barrel (the rifle, not the carbine version)

[Captain*Kirk]

Data varies a lot in this caliber. My RCBS cast manual shows 10.0 grs. I shoot 9.5 grs. of Unique and a 220 gr. cast RNFP, just about exclusively, in my 1866 Uberti 44-40 with no problems at all. But I hunt with mine, if I were just shooting, I'd probably back off a half grain or so.

35W

For the moment, I'm not planning on hunting with it, just plinking.
I could probably load Trail Boss, but it's more expensive per pound than Unique, and I already use Unique for my .44 mag loads.

[454PB]

I also own a Uberti 1866 in 44/40 and shoot relatively mild handloads. The most accurate boolit has been the Lyman 429215 gas checked design sized to .430". Even with the rather crude open sights, it will keep 6 shots inside 2" at 50 yards.

[country gent]

Henry claims in literature and in their website that the brass alloy they use is the same tensile strength as the steel is. Not sure about uberti. There are some pretty tough brass alloys available. Put together an accurate load and enjoy the rifle.

[Captain*Kirk]

Henry claims in literature and in their website that the brass alloy they use is the same tensile strength as the steel is. Not sure about uberti. There are some pretty tough brass alloys available. Put together an accurate load and enjoy the rifle.
Are you talking about "New Henry" or the repro original Henry rifles?
I read somewhere that the New Henry (Imperato's Henry) uses a zinc alloy that looks like brass but is not. My rifle was built in 1978 by Navy Arms; not sure if this was a Uberti manufactured gun or not? Without confirmation, I'll probably stay on the conservative side of things just to be safe.

[john.k]

I know a few who bought the "brass" replicas when they first came out............consensus is that wear sets in early on,and the actions get sloppy a lot more quickly than a steel gun............

[Hootmix]

Hey Captin,, 24" way to go ,, thinking about one myself,, don't hunt any more just paper & plates .To get a really good answer about the " 66's " talk to some sass & cas shooters.

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[izzyjoe]

I would think you would be safe with lighter loads of unique, or maybe even bullseye!

[Walks]

I've shot My .45Colt '66Carbine for 30 odd years. I use a load of 8.5grs of Unique over the Lyman #454190.

Got a Buddy that's been shooting his Uberti 1866 Rifle since I sold it to him in 1992. He's shot a 230gr TC over 7.5grs of Unique ever since. His Standard Cowboy load.

Both of us have shot some RUGER LOADS of the 255gr bullet over a hot load of Unique.

Haven't experienced any problems, yet.

And if I remember right all the 1860's, 1873's & Henry's were made by Uberti. All made to the same standard. But things may have changed in the 20yrs since I left the gun Business.

[Ozark mike]

A Henry repro should only reloaded to bp levels do not go over that you will stress the action you may not see it all at once but over time it will. TB and some of the unique loads are probably OK the lyman cast book has the safe data you need. The modern Henry company is a different bird altogether

[Captain*Kirk]

A Henry repro should only reloaded to bp levels do not go over that you will stress the action you may not see it all at once but over time it will. TB and some of the unique loads are probably OK the lyman cast book has the safe data you need. The modern Henry company is a different bird altogether

Right; I should clarify that I was referring to ORIGINAL Henry design reproductions in .44-40 WCF, not the New Henry.