Winchester 73 shoot report

[Marc]

I shot the 73 last week as promised but I forgot the camera. I scanned a couple targets so you can see how I started. I had undersize bullets so I didn't expect much and that is what I got. The bullets were 205 grain Hornady lead bullets that measured .427". The bore slugged at .429" so I would really like to try .430" bullets. First target is with 8 grains Unique. One round went off the paper to the left. Not to good at 25 yards!


This was my blackpowder load. I hoped the blackpowder would bump the undersize bullets. No such luck, although shots 2, 3, and 4 weren't to bad. I think the fouling got me there. The bullets do not have lube grooves and have some kind of dry lube coating. The fouling was awful and I also had leading starting. No bueno!


I accomplished my main purpose which was just to make it go bang! Who knows how long it has been since anything went down the barrel. The rifle functions perfectly.

[Griff]

Try these: http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,315.html, they're probably soft enough to bunp up and they carry more lube.

[Marc]

I went back to the range this morning. Took the camera this time and went with my shooting buddy Al. I took Al to the gun shop that had the 73's and he bought the 38 WCF. Says its my fault he bought it. This is the rack of rifles when we set up at the range - all 73's and 94's - including 38 WCF, 30-30's, 32-40 and 44 WCF.


Al shooting his 73 in 38 WCF. The bore is a little rougher in the 38 and it has more cleaning rod wear at the muzzle. Al has been swaging down 44 bullets and they don't shoot real well. Be interesting to see how it does with proper bullets.


Al's 38 and 32-40 and my 44 at top when we went to shoot at the swingers.


Now the targets. I set up at 50 yards this time since I knew the sights were close. Al came up with some more 44 bullets. First target is 240 grain SWC with gas checks that measured .429". Not great but much better than last week. There is also a couple 30-30 holes in the bottom. Those are 115 grain gas check bullets with 8 grains Unique and they shoot sooo good! I only had two.


Next target is 8 grains Unique with some 180 grain JHP's. I don't normally shoot jacketed bullets in my leverguns but I thought it would tell me what the rifle is capable of. It looks very capable! The low round was the first shot after shooting the cast bullets. It may have been a little low because of the bore condition left by the cast bullets. All five measure 1-5/16" and the top four are under 3/4". WOW!


Finally I ran a few RCBS-30-180-FN with 30 grains IMR 4350 through the 30-30. The mold casts undersize and I have not had much luck with the bullets. This is typical. I thought a slower powder might work better but it didn't.


The 44 shoots well enough that I am going to use it for our levergun silhouette match next week. I am going to cast up a batch of 240 SWC's. I don't know how it will do in a 40 round match but I am sure it will do fine through chickens and pigs. If I hit all those then a few turkeys and rams will make a decent score. It really hangs nice in the off hand stance. I understand all that drop in the butt and the crescent buttplate now. It just hangs over my hand supporting the forend and the crescent butt keeps it from sliding up on my shoulder. Neat rifle!

[Griff]

Excellent.

[Jaguarundi]

Nice collection and excellent range report.

[KirkD]

Good report. I enjoyed the photos of those old classic rifles and your targets. Looks like you are heading in the right direction.

[perry owens]

You might try Big Lube bullets if BP fouling is a problem. They work great in my 1873 in 38-40 which has a few pits in the bore. If you don't want to commit to buying a mold you can get them ready cast here
http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/
Perry Owens

[Marc]

Perry, those are interesting bullets! Who sells the molds for those? One problem with the 38 is that the bore slugs about .403" so standard .401" bullets are undersize.

Never mind. Found 'em.

[w30wcf]

Perry Owens,
Thank you for the report. Neat rifle, but BE CAREFUL with 240 gr. SWC bullets in the '73. If they are crimped in the crimp groove they will most likely make the cartridge too long to feed through the action, which is required for Cowboy Silhouette if your shooting by NRA rules. If the bullet is seated deeper into the case, there is a possibility that the bullet could telescope into the case while in the magazine, thus raising pressures which would not be a good thing in a '73.

Stay safe.
w30wcf