.44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

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w30wcf
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.44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by w30wcf »

At the Lever Action Jubilee in Ridgway last month, my newly acquired slightly used .44-40 Marlin Cowboy rifle shot fairly well at the steel pigs which stand at 300 meters distant. It took several sighting shots to get the peep sight adjusted to intersect the bullet impact at that distance.

Once the sights were set, the sound (which took about 2 seconds after the shot) of lead alloy bullets striking steel was music to our ears. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

A couple of weeks ago I made a return visit to Ridgway with the intent of grouping the .44-40 on a steel pig (javelina) "swinger" at 300 meters to see how accurate the load (Lyman 427098 / 40 / Swiss FFG ) really was.

I was very happy to say the least. :mrgreen: The javelina is 9" high or just under 3 m.o.a. The first two shots were a bit left. I then adjusted 1 minute right which put the remaining shots closer to the center. What fun! :mrgreen:
Image
The javelina "swinger I was shooting at is in the 2nd row just to the right of the number 6 bank.
Image
w30wcf
Last edited by w30wcf on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:52 pm, edited 3 times in total.
aka John Kort
aka Jack Christian SASS 11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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KCSO
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by KCSO »

Thats some long range shootin' for a 44-40 and some darn fine b/p shooting. How about the deatils on the load, Primer, Lube, compression?
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Modoc ED
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Modoc ED »

Great shooting!!! And what fun it must have been. Wow -- we have a pretty nice range here but nothing like that. We are surrounded by a National Forest and have many opportunities to shoot but no set-up like that.

How about posting a pic of the rifle?
ED
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J Miller
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by J Miller »

John,

You gotta take a photographer with you so we can see you shooting that black powder. :D

As for that range, I know of nothing in my area of the PRI that is even remotely similar.

Joe
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Ben_Rumson
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Ben_Rumson »

Wow! Great shooting!
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Nath
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Nath »

Thats amazing :D I would love to of seen that. Did it embarress any whizz bang shooters?
Nearly all those shots would have killed a real one too.

Nath.
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Sixgun
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Sixgun »

Jack,
Is that the 12 feet X 18 feet silhouette pig you were telling me about? :D

Hey, thats some mighty fine shooting for a near round ball at 300 meters, especially out of a newer Marlin. All the ones I have checked were .431-.432. Tell me, what did you have to size the bullet at?

By the way, I'll be sending you a little package with that "special glue" I was telling you about.-------------------------------Jack Jr.
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2ndovc
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by 2ndovc »

Cool!!

:D :D
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1886
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by 1886 »

I have had several Marlin .44-40s pass through my hands. They were all wonderful shooters. You will enjoy yours, that I am sure. Regards, 1886.
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6pt-sika
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by 6pt-sika »

John now that you have it figured out on the pigs you need to walk that 44-40 on out to that big buffalo at 800 meters :wink:

Congrats looks like you are well on your way with that 44-40 !
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w30wcf
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by w30wcf »

Pards,
Thank you for the follow up and kind words. In that bygone era before smokeless powder and high velocity cartridges, Winchester claimed that their .44 W.C.F. (.44-40) was accurate up to 300 yards. It's just as true today as it was back then even with the additional 30 more yards. :mrgreen:

KCSO,
Bullet - 427098 - .429" diameter - 215 grs.
Alloy - w.w. + 2% tin
Lube - SPG
Powder - 40 grs. / Swiss FFG
Compression - .12" - compressed with the bullet
Primer - CCI 300
Case - REM-UMC

Modoc Ed,
I should have thought to take a picture of the rifle when I was there. Will do and post in a few days.

Sixgun,
The groove diameter of my rifle is .428". so the .429" bullets work great. Thanks in advance for the package.

1886,
Yes indeed. I have 3 different Marlin Cowboy rifles (.357 / .44-40 / .45 Colt) and they are all accurate rifles

Here's another javelina "swinger" I shot with .45 Colt b.p. loads in my Marlin Cowboy a year or so ago. :mrgreen:
40 grs. Swiss FFG / 250 gr. RCBS bullet.
Image

w30wcf
Last edited by w30wcf on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
aka John Kort
aka Jack Christian SASS 11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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TedH
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by TedH »

Good shooting! :mrgreen:
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Nath
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Nath »

Tell us please, just how do you care and clean your gun using BP?

Thanks :)

Nath.
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w30wcf
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by w30wcf »

Nath,
I typically use a black powder solvent ....about 5 patches and the barrel is clean. Water with a little dish soap works just as well. Or, sometimes, I'll just shoot a few smokeless rounds then clean as I would after shooting smokeless.

w30wcf
aka John Kort
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Marc
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Marc »

It is great fun shooting these "under powered' rifles at long range. I tried my 1873 in 44 WCF on the 200 meter chickens a few months ago. I had to hold over to get on them but managed to tip two out of 10 over.
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w30wcf
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by w30wcf »

Marc,
Yes indeed. Some of the best shooting fun I have had is shooting the original WInchester '73 black powder cartridge at extended distances :mrgreen:

Here's the amount of adjustment required in the receiver sight to be "on target" at 300 meters.
Image

w30wcf
aka John Kort
aka Jack Christian SASS 11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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RIHMFIRE
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by RIHMFIRE »

Nice shooting...to say the least....
and what a great look'n range.
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Borregos
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Re: .44-40 Marlin Cowboy Rifle @ 300 meters

Post by Borregos »

Great shooting and interesting post, thanks.
Pete
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