Doolin-Dalton
03-06-2022, 01:29 PM
Finally had an opportunity to put boolits on target yesterday and thought I would share results. My lever gun is an antique Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine (SRC) in 25,XXX serial range making it a very early 3rd pattern variant produced in 1868. Originally these were Rimfire guns and utilized the 44 Henry Flat. Since no one manufactures 44 Rimfire anymore, shooting one does generally necessitate converting to Centerfire, which is a very easy and non-permanent modification.
I won't go into too much detail on that mod, suffice it to say it only requires use of a replacement firing pin and striker plate and these changes are just about drop-in ready and cost less than $100 using reproduction parts. These 2 centerfire items are avail through sources like Winchester Bob and Homestead Parts. Since this post is about reloading boolits, I'll focus more on that and note that my 1866 has already been converted.
The original 44 Henry Flat ammunition utilized a 200gr lead projectile, 26-28grs black powder in a copper or brass case, that to my observation has varied in length from 22.2mm to 22.7mm depending on the manufacturer. According to wiki, the bullets were .446" diameter with a .441" heel.
For my reloading I utilized the following:
1) Brass cases pre-cut and sold by Buffalo Arms Co. The cases are 44 S&W Special, trimmed to 22.3mm or 7/8 inches in length
2) 200gr lead Boolits sold by Old West Bullet Moulds, these come in a .442" diameter with a .422" heel
3) Federal No. 150 Large Pistol Primers
4) Pyrodex FFG powder. I was able to fit 21-22 grs and leave enough room for the heel of the boolit to seat without crushing the powder
5) Lyman 310 loading tool using 44MAG Dies, note: I added (filled) some acraglass into the tip of the bullet seating die since the boolit contour of the die is too narrow for Henry flat and it was creasing my lead.
Results: One hell of a lot fun! While my 1866 is in Good- condition, the Rifling & Bore are excellent, I'd rate the bore and rifling at 8 or 9 out of 10. The rounds seated a little tightly each time, however the extraction was like butter and the shooting was too. With 21-22grs, there was almost no recoil. I think for the next time I'll add a little lube around the lead rings.
Firing at a target 100 yards distant, I had anticipated about 10" of drop based on my reading, however after the first 5rds I found that was not the case. All 5 were lined up, but had landed about 5-6 inches too high. At 100 yards, the rounds pressed into a 1/2" plywood board but did not pass through. At 30 yards they sailed completely through. This was my first time shooting the Carbine so it may take some getting used to the Ladder Sight, elevator and graduations on the next outing.
Funny thing, the field stripping and proper cleaning of the rifle take longer than reloading the boolits!
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I won't go into too much detail on that mod, suffice it to say it only requires use of a replacement firing pin and striker plate and these changes are just about drop-in ready and cost less than $100 using reproduction parts. These 2 centerfire items are avail through sources like Winchester Bob and Homestead Parts. Since this post is about reloading boolits, I'll focus more on that and note that my 1866 has already been converted.
The original 44 Henry Flat ammunition utilized a 200gr lead projectile, 26-28grs black powder in a copper or brass case, that to my observation has varied in length from 22.2mm to 22.7mm depending on the manufacturer. According to wiki, the bullets were .446" diameter with a .441" heel.
For my reloading I utilized the following:
1) Brass cases pre-cut and sold by Buffalo Arms Co. The cases are 44 S&W Special, trimmed to 22.3mm or 7/8 inches in length
2) 200gr lead Boolits sold by Old West Bullet Moulds, these come in a .442" diameter with a .422" heel
3) Federal No. 150 Large Pistol Primers
4) Pyrodex FFG powder. I was able to fit 21-22 grs and leave enough room for the heel of the boolit to seat without crushing the powder
5) Lyman 310 loading tool using 44MAG Dies, note: I added (filled) some acraglass into the tip of the bullet seating die since the boolit contour of the die is too narrow for Henry flat and it was creasing my lead.
Results: One hell of a lot fun! While my 1866 is in Good- condition, the Rifling & Bore are excellent, I'd rate the bore and rifling at 8 or 9 out of 10. The rounds seated a little tightly each time, however the extraction was like butter and the shooting was too. With 21-22grs, there was almost no recoil. I think for the next time I'll add a little lube around the lead rings.
Firing at a target 100 yards distant, I had anticipated about 10" of drop based on my reading, however after the first 5rds I found that was not the case. All 5 were lined up, but had landed about 5-6 inches too high. At 100 yards, the rounds pressed into a 1/2" plywood board but did not pass through. At 30 yards they sailed completely through. This was my first time shooting the Carbine so it may take some getting used to the Ladder Sight, elevator and graduations on the next outing.
Funny thing, the field stripping and proper cleaning of the rifle take longer than reloading the boolits!
297200
297201
297202
297203
297204
297205
297206297217
297220