Shooting the 44-40

[woodmv]

I also have both the Uberti 1860 and 1873 rifles that I used for SASS competition a few decades ago. Both regulate, and shoot great with 200gr hard cast flat nose bullets/7gr Unique powder/Winchester brass/LR primers.

Have not deep dived into black powder, but to really have the full experience, I think I will need to so some.

 

[baggy270]

Just arrived today. Need to do a full function check and then take her out to the desert tomorrow. This is the 1860 Henry in 44-40. Repo from Uberti since the originals are chambered in 44 rimfire. Starting off with some light hand loads with a 180 grain bullet. Standard was 200/216 grain, and hope to get some of those in later. Plan to shoot it side by side with my 1873, also in 44-40. Really pretty rifle. We will see how far out it can reach.View attachment 360388View attachment 360389

Beautiful

 

[Greyfox]

Have not deep dived into black powder, but to really have the full experience, I think I will need to so some.

The load I listed using Unique powder is a smokeless load that replicates the black powder velocity/pressures that are recommended with the lever action design of the 1860//1873 rifles. Using black powder is a "blast" to shoot in these rifles! …
This book by Mike Venturio is a good reference for 44-40 reloading/shooting.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

Had an old Colt pump action rifle in 44-40 now belongs to an attorney for some divorce work- darn miss that one for sure ( lightning medium frame-) wanted the large frame in 38-55 but never ran across one- long long time ago. Was using Lyman's double cavity 200 0r 205 gr mold he got that mold also along with some 200 pcs of brass . Years later was able to replace the mold but never the rifle. My brother collected the old Colt SA's had a lot of the old black powder round ones 44WCF 32-20 WCF , 38-40 with the balloon head old brass a few 45 Colt's different length bbl's

Nice collection of Win rifles any in 45-70 ?

 

[woodmv]

The load I listed using Unique powder is a smokeless load that replicates the black powder velocity/pressures that are recommended with the lever action design of the 1860//1873 rifles. Using black powder is a "blast" to shoot in these rifles! …
This book by Mike Venturio is a good reference for 44-40 reloading/shooting.
View attachment 360710

Greatly appreciate the input and suggested reading material. The grandson and I have done a little black powder cap and ball pistol and a very small cannon. The clean up is well worth the fun. I am using very light loads and only the 180 grain bullet right now. Since all three of my 44-40 guns are modern repos, I suspect I may be a bit over cautious, but hey, I've made it this far.

 

[woodmv]

Had an old Colt pump action rifle in 44-40 now belongs to an attorney for some divorce work- darn miss that one for sure ( lightning medium frame-) wanted the large frame in 38-55 but never ran across one- long long time ago. Was using Lyman's double cavity 200 0r 205 gr mold he got that mold also along with some 200 pcs of brass . Years later was able to replace the mold but never the rifle. My brother collected the old Colt SA's had a lot of the old black powder round ones 44WCF 32-20 WCF , 38-40 with the balloon head old brass a few 45 Colt's different length bbl's

Nice collection of Win rifles any in 45-70 ?

I have been searching for an original 1886 in 45-70 for some time now, but just can't bring myself to pay the huge price. I'll keep looking and may wind up getting a repo..once they get back in stock. For now, I have two 45-70. One is a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps Competition (technically a lever), and the other is an original Springfield Trapdoor made in 1892. Both fire a light hand load.

 

[woodmv]

If I get a bison this year, I'm going to add a bison tattoo to the other side of the Sharps.....

 

[Bryan Austin]

We will see how far out it can reach.

Great looking rifle!!!
The late John Kort loaded up some 44-40's to 44 Henry ballistics and replicated the 250 yard target by Swiss Sharpshooters during the 1866 Swiss trials at Aarau, Switzerland.

Swiss Trials Targets

 

[woodmv]

Great looking rifle!!!
The late John Kort loaded up some 44-40's to 44 Henry ballistics and replicated the 250 yard target by Swiss Sharpshooters during the 1866 Swiss trials at Aarau, Switzerland.

Swiss Trials Targets

Well, 250 would seem to be bit of a stretch for me and this lever. Now I can do that one handed with my Sharps.......

 

[Bryan Austin]

Well, 250 would seem to be bit of a stretch for me and this lever. Now I can do that one handed with my Sharps.......

Oh no, the challenge can not be unchallenged LOL!!!!!
Here is my attempt (265 yards) with the Winchester 73' and smokeless powders that replicate original smokeless ballistics and pressures.

 

[Old Rooster]

Good shooting!