Search found 157 matches

by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bullet size for 44-40
Replies: 22
Views: 4163

Re: Bullet size for 44-40

Howdy Have to agree, it depends on the gun. I have 5 rifles chambered for 44-40. I have slugged them all. The 1980s era Uberti 1873, Marlin 1894 from 1895 and a Winchester Model 1892 from 1897 all slug out at .427. A recently made Uberti 1860 Henry and a 1918 vintage Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carb...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Nov 14, 2013 5:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

Easy enough to get 44 Henry Rimfire performance from a 44 Russian case using smokeless powder which most CAS shooters prefer. This shorter (than 44/40) cartridge is reloadable, still being loaded commercially, and would allow the Henry rifle receiver to be proportioned correct to the original. This...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:11 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

Howdy Again No, it was not loaded. I hung it from a digital fishing scale. Perhaps the scale is out of whack. I can tell you though that weighed on the exact same scale, whether or not it is in whack, the Henry weighs a full pound more than a similarly barreled Uberti '73 or Winchester '73, which st...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:05 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

I reckon the primary target for an 'original-length' Henry would be CAS shooters, who happen to shoot upwards of THOUSANDS of rounds each year, in practice and in matches.. Firing that many, relatively-expensive, NON-RELOADABLE rounds would quickly become cost-prohibitive.. Yup I cast my own bullet...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Nov 12, 2013 6:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: No joy in lubing bullets!
Replies: 13
Views: 4159

Re: No joy in lubing bullets!

Howdy Yeah, don't boil the lube out. Much simpler, and less messy, to melt it out in the oven. Get yourself a cookie sheet, cover it with two layers of paper towels, lay all the bullets on their sides on the paper, set the oven for 200 degrees F and come back in 1/2 hour. The paper towels will wick ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Nov 12, 2013 6:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

Howdy Again I guess part of my antipathy towards the lower power rounds in a Henry are because of the weight of the gun. If you have never hefted one, they are heavy . My Uberti Henry weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces. Compare that to the weight of my 24" Uberti 44-40 '73 or my original 24" Winche...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Nov 12, 2013 11:59 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

Correctly-dimensioned Henry and 1866 rifles, as well as rim-fire versions of single action revolvers, would be a clever way to sell more guns in a market that is already quite saturated. For example, I suspect that many shooters who currently own Uberti Henry rifles would be tempted to purchase a n...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:29 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860
Replies: 69
Views: 13653

Re: Henry Repeating Arms' H011- Original Henry Rifle 1860

SOME brass (bronze) alloys are as strong as SOME steels.. I have to wonder if a descendant of George Herter, or even P.T. Barnum, writes their press releases and advertizing... I have to agree. My gripe about Henry has always been their deceitful advertising. For the record, I have an Uberti replic...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Apr 27, 2013 8:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry 1860
Replies: 32
Views: 4601

Re: Henry 1860

Howdy

Couldn't care less. After years and years of misleading advertising from them, they will never see one red cent of my money. I'll stick with my Uberti made 44-40 iron frame Henry.

Image
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:20 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 - 40 Sixgun?
Replies: 39
Views: 4710

Re: .44 - 40 Sixgun?

I recently had a "discussion" with someone about the .44-40 who assured me they shoot black powder "all the time" and there was no way 40 grains of black powder would move a 200gr bullet over 1200 fps as that is .44 magnum territory. At that point I told him to stick to talking ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:23 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 - 40 Sixgun?
Replies: 39
Views: 4710

Re: .44 - 40 Sixgun?

Howdy Again

Ruger did eventually produce 44-40 Vaqueros with chamber throats that were a better match for the .429 rifling groove diameter.
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:40 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 - 40 Sixgun?
Replies: 39
Views: 4710

Re: .44 - 40 Sixgun?

Howdy No, it is not feasable to ream out a 44 Mag chamber to 44-40. Even though the base of the 44-40 is larger in diameter, the neck of the 44 Mag is larger in diameter. So if you reamed out the 44 Mag chamber you would have over size dimensions at the case mouth. 44-40: http://img.photobucket.com/...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: A good Load for my 1897 Colt 73
Replies: 13
Views: 1864

Re: A good Load for my 1897 Colt 73

Howdy Colt first introduced the transverse cylinder base pin lock as a target model feature in 1892. It was phased in as a standard feature on all models in 1896. As has already been mentioned, Colt did not factory warranty the SAA for Smokeless until 1900. Your SN puts yours as having been made in ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Shotshell Progressive, MEC 9000?
Replies: 9
Views: 1768

Re: Shotshell Progressive, MEC 9000?

Howdy Griff I have two MEC Jrs, which I love, but I have not had much luck with MEC progressive presses. The problem with ALL MEC progressive presses is that if you somehow get out of sequence, and manage to have no hull under either the powder drop station or the shot drop station, the press will h...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:47 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Advice on 44MAG wheelgun
Replies: 52
Views: 6930

Re: Advice on 44MAG wheelgun

I don't care who you are...DAs are easier and quicker to reload and shoot. In any defensive situation, a quick reload is a high priority. I'm sure there are those who can shoot a SA pretty fast and maybe even reload fairly fast. Not that I am going to try to break any records with fast reloads, but...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:28 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Smokeless Cowboy loads and Dacron
Replies: 10
Views: 2344

Re: Smokeless Cowboy loads and Dacron

Howdy No powder company recommends using dacron or any other type of filler with Smokeless powder. All the powder companies publish loads for Cowboy Action loads. Don't worry about the extra space in the cartridge. Just stick with published data, don't go lower or higher. Especially, don't go lower ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:58 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry 45-70
Replies: 7
Views: 1534

Re: Henry 45-70

I think it boils down to one of two things strength of the receiver or the added labor cost. Howdy I have heard that strength of the frame idea before. The Winchester Model 1886 was the first lever gun chambered for 45-70 and it had a loading gate, just like the Models 1866, 1873, and 1876 did. So ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:58 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: your best 45 colt loads
Replies: 158
Views: 27865

Re: your best 45 colt loads

2.2CC of FFg Schuetzen under a 250 grain PRS 250 grain Big Lube bullet.
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:01 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: What is the oldest gun YOU bought and still own?
Replies: 64
Views: 9226

Re: What is the oldest gun YOU bought and still own?

Howdy The oldest gun I own is this Smith and Wesson Model No. 1 3rd Issue. Made in 1870. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/smith%20and%20wesson/ModelNo13rdIssue02.jpg The oldest rifle I own is this Trapdoor, made in 1883. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnso...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:55 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Best 1873 replica rifle
Replies: 47
Views: 18136

Re: Best 1873 replica rifle

Howdy The go to rifle in CAS circles these days is an Uberti '73 short rifle with pistol grip and 20" barrel, chambered for 357 Mag. Any importer. Most shooters shoot lightly loaded 38 Specials out of them. That's the gun that you will see in the winner's circle most often. Most have been highl...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:24 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: NOT LEGAL IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CA, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, O
Replies: 22
Views: 3711

Re: NOT LEGAL IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CA, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, O

In other places, guns must be submitted for a drop text, etc and some makers simply refuse to submit samples for testing. Yup. That's the case where I live. By the way, I took a look at one of these not too long ago. Real piece of junk, in my not so humble opinion. Remember, you get what you pay for.
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:09 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Why is it so hard to get rid of Blackpowder?
Replies: 31
Views: 3990

Re: Why is it so hard to get rid of Blackpowder?

Replying to the original question before it got edited, the reason you are not selling the powder is because it is unmarked. I would never buy a container full of unknown powder. I have recently bought 'second hand' powder from someone who was no longer shooting, but it was in the original container...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:58 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: S&W ?
Replies: 24
Views: 3363

Re: S&W ?

Howdy I own so many S&W revolvers I have lost count, so I am a little bit biased. But the reason I became a S&W collector is that I too believe they are the finest revolvers that were ever made in this country. S&W was always a leader in innovation. First cartridge revolvers manufactured...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:29 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Your S&W
Replies: 34
Views: 6279

Re: Your S&W

Howdy Well since you asked, here are a few of my favorites: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/smith%20and%20wesson/My%20New%20Model%20Number%20Three/myNewModelNumberThree.jpg New Model Number Three, 44 Russian caliber. Shipped August 1882, refinished at the S&W factory Mar...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Oct 20, 2011 1:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Nifty new (to me) S&W .22lr
Replies: 19
Views: 2362

Re: Nifty new (to me) S&W .22lr

Top one is a Model 17-3 (K22), bottom one is a Model 19-3. Bought them brand, spanky new when I was just a kid. One of them cost $125 at the time, but I can't remember which one now. Maybe both of them cost the same. Lot of money for a kid back then. Had to save up for quite a while.
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:56 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Uberti's - How they're made
Replies: 4
Views: 1417

Re: Uberti's - How they're made

Then you end up with a S&W or a Ruger. Not hardly Back in the pinned barrel days S&W used dedicated fixturing to make sure the barrel was torqued into the correct position. S&W barrels are not simple turned cylinders, the barrels are forged with the sights and lugs in place. If it is no...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:47 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Nifty new (to me) S&W .22lr
Replies: 19
Views: 2362

Re: Nifty new (to me) S&W .22lr

Howdy You are correct about when your Grandfather bought the S&W. I bought both of these guns brand new in 1975. I still have the boxes, papers, and the tools are still in their plastic bags. I can't tell you exactly when your Grandfather's gun was bought, but 1975 is right in the ballpark. A le...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Uberti's - How they're made
Replies: 4
Views: 1417

Re: Uberti's - How they're made

Howdy It is interesting to see the way the frame is forged to shape. A red hot round bar of steel is pounded to shape in a hammer forge. Directly after that we are shown the frame in two configurations, each one the result of forging in progressive dies. The frame is not CNC machined until after the...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Virgin (Old Growth) forests
Replies: 22
Views: 3443

Re: OT--Virgin (Old Growth) forests

Howdy I have to agree with AJ on this. Here in the East, especially in New England 'old growth' and 'virgin forest' are not the same thing. As a matter of fact I had a chat with an old forestry officer in the White Mountains years ago and he smiled when he told me that unlike in the medical field, t...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Only ONE Winchester...?
Replies: 36
Views: 5011

Re: Only ONE Winchester...?

Howdy I am lucky enough to own a bunch of Winchesters. My favorite Trap gun is a Model 12 made around 1921 or so. I have another Model 12, and a Model 1897. Last year I picked up a terrific little Model 61 22 pump. I have two Model 1892s, both chambered for 44-40. And last but not least I have my Da...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:36 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Primer Removal?
Replies: 23
Views: 2886

Re: Primer Removal?

Howdy I have decapped lots and lots of live primers with a regular sizing/decapping die. You just have to do it slowly. It certainly would not hurt to deactivate the primers by soaking them in WD-40 or something, but I have never done that. I have usually wanted to reseat the primer after I have dri...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:18 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bullet / powder question
Replies: 10
Views: 2632

Re: Bullet / powder question

You will probably get more than ten shots out of it before accuracy goes south. I used to shoot regular hard cast bullets that I had melted the lube out of and pan lubed with BP lube. Usually shot RNFP 250 grain bullets. Just one skimpy lube groove. With a 24 inch barrel I could usually go three or ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:22 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bullet / powder question
Replies: 10
Views: 2632

Re: Bullet / powder question

Howdy Are you sure about that mold number? I went to the Lyman website and I do not see a 454424 mold. However, there is a 452424 mold designed by Keith that throws a 255 grain bullet. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=33 In any case, fill the case with enou...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue May 24, 2011 9:37 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 45 Long Colt
Replies: 11
Views: 2282

Re: 45 Long Colt

Also it seems to feed round nose flat points well but semi-wadcutters take a little more force to feed into the chamber. Howdy Never force a round into the chamber, particularly with a lever gun. Many lever guns do not feed Semi-Wadcutters well. The Henry has a tilting carrier. The round rides up t...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun May 15, 2011 5:01 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Help with Uberti 1873
Replies: 20
Views: 4772

Re: Help with Uberti 1873

Howdy As has been stated, this may be a combination of too much fouling and some roughness someplace in the carrier well preventing the carrier from moving freely. It could also be that your timing is slightly off, so once things are not quite optimum you start to have problems. A couple of things y...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun May 15, 2011 4:45 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: What happened to that great "old-time look"?
Replies: 30
Views: 4241

Re: What happened to that great "old-time look"?

Just a guess, but "fat" wood comes from "cheap" wood vs the quality hardwoods of yesteryear which could be thinner & still be strong... Howdy I doubt that. As far as I know, nobody is growing American Black Walnut in plantations like they are with pine. At least not yet. You...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu May 12, 2011 3:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry and model 66
Replies: 18
Views: 3320

Re: Henry and model 66

also, there were at least 3 of the original henrys that were chambered in the 44 centerfire. one of them was auctioned a few years ago, with wonderful pictures and full documentation, remember drooling on the auction catalog. IIRC it brought close to 100 grand! Are you certain about that? That the ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu May 12, 2011 1:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry and model 66
Replies: 18
Views: 3320

Re: Henry and model 66

Joe

Go right ahead, you have my permission. But if you make a million dollars off of it you have to split it with me.
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu May 12, 2011 11:38 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Henry and model 66
Replies: 18
Views: 3320

Re: Henry and model 66

Howdy Yes, all the original Henry rifles were chambered for the 44 Henry rimfire cartridge. The great majority of the 1866 model were also chambered for the cartridge too. However in The Winchester Handbook, George Madis states that 1020 1866 rifles were converted to centerfire and shipped to Brazil...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed May 04, 2011 4:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: '92 vs '73
Replies: 15
Views: 8377

Re: '92 vs '73

Howdy Yup, it's pretty much all been said. Because all the toggle link rifles present the cartridge straight on to the chamber, they tend to jam less when operated at light speed by the really fast guys in SASS. No, they are not fragile, you do not have to limit them to 'light' smokeless loads. They...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1892- Sling Stud on forearm or nosecap?
Replies: 18
Views: 4759

Re: 1892- Sling Stud on forearm or nosecap?

Howdy When I picked up this nice old saddle ring carbine last year somebody had added a sling swivel that mounts to the magazine tube. They also welded one onto the barrel band, and did a crappy job. For the price I paid for it, I am just going to leave the crappy weld job alone. Perhaps you could f...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 1903 1894 32-40 Sluggin the Bore?
Replies: 10
Views: 2341

Re: 1903 1894 32-40 Sluggin the Bore?

Howdy I have taken the liberty of pasting in my handy dandy guide to slugging barrels. Hope it is of some help. Slugging a Barrel There are lots of ways to slug a barrel. Here's how I do it. First off you need to come up with a slug. I have used all sorts of things to slug barrels. Ideally, your slu...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:50 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .22 Rimfire favorite
Replies: 29
Views: 3740

Re: .22 Rimfire favorite

Howdy I have a 10/22, a Marlin 39A, and my Dad's old Winchester '06. But I gotta say this nice Winchester Model 61 has recently become my favorite. I just bought it a few months ago. It was made in 1941 and all I had to do was change out the broken front sight for a Marbles gold bead front sight. It...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT Makin' smoke?
Replies: 11
Views: 2043

Re: OT Makin' smoke?

Howdy I shoot nothing but Black Powder in Cowboy Action Shooting. Clean up is simple and quick. You just have to go about it the right way. First of all, if you use real Black Powder you MUST use bullets lubed with a Black Powder compatible bullet lube. SPG is a popular one, so is Bore Butter. If yo...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Feb 27, 2011 3:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General 92 questions
Replies: 29
Views: 6490

Re: General 92 questions

I think, that LOTS of Browning 92´s, THE PERFECT 92s, are destroyed by SASS ..... Whatttt? What an over generalization! Do you shoot CAS? Do you have first hand knowledge to make such an outrageous statement? Generally speaking, if any guns get beat to death in CAS, it is the replicas. Replicas are...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Slugging Barrels........The Easy Way!
Replies: 13
Views: 3072

Re: Slugging Barrels........The Easy Way!

Howdy My question is, when firing a bullet into a towel like this, are you getting any distortion so that the results are not accurate? Have you tried this method and then measured a bullet slugged through the same barrel the normal way? Any discrepancy in size? Personally, I think I will keep slugg...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New to Reloading
Replies: 36
Views: 5040

Re: New to Reloading

Heck, a Model T will still get you to the grocery store but I'm bettin' most of you have decided upon a never, more capable mode of transportation. I still drive a clutch to the grocery store. Never did like automatics. And I have both progressive presses and a single stage on my loading benches. F...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:14 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: New to Reloading
Replies: 36
Views: 5040

Re: New to Reloading

If you were new to reloading, what would you go with and would you have done it different if you could go back? Sorry if this is too basic a question but I am new to this. Howdy First of all, let me give you my standard advice. Before you spend one red cent on buying any equipment, buy a good reloa...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:38 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Hornady Reloading
Replies: 11
Views: 2684

Re: Hornady Reloading

Howdy I have two Hornady L&L AP presses. I guess I must like them. Both of my presses are earlier presses from before when the EZject system existed, so I cannot comment on that. Yes, sometimes a case will get jammed with the old ejector wire system, but it is not the end of the world, I just fl...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT: Gripping single actions.
Replies: 17
Views: 2866

Re: OT: Gripping single actions.

Howdy Again I curl my pinky under the grip regardless of whether I am shooting Colts, Uberti Cattlemen, Ruger Blackhawks, Ruger (old model) Vaqueros, or New Vaqueros. All the grips are a bit different in shape, but I shoot them all the same way. HOWEVER.........when shooting my Remington 1858 C&...