Quick 44 WCF range trip and mini-report

[KirkD]

Managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the range today with my youngest son Sam. We just practiced at 50 yards offhand with my Winchester Model 1892 44 WCF made in 1914 (photo is in my other 'Whack of photos' thread). The load we used was 15 grains of 2400 under a soft cast, 200 grain, .429 bullet. My groove diameter is .429 and I've found that this is not particularly accurate load, unless I include some toilet paper filler, which was not included in this load. Shown below is my last target. Of the 11 rounds fired at this target, 9 were within 2" of the center and the furthest one out was 3 & 3/8" from dead center. Not the greatest free-standing, offhand shooting, but not that bad either .... certainly encouraging given my lack of offhand practice in the last 6 months. Here's the photo (the white center box is 3 & 3/8" across) .....

[Old Savage]

Off hand - that looks pretty good to me.

[gamekeeper]

I'd be happy with that, off hand and not using the most accurate load either.

[Ben_Rumson]

I'd be plenty happy with those results... Kirk.. Do you know what bullet mold those bullets came from?

[KirkD]

I'd be plenty happy with those results... Kirk.. Do you know what bullet mold those bullets came from?

Ben, I don't. They were cast for me by another fellow, but I've decided to start casting my own, so I'll have to do some research and get a good mould.

[JerryB]

Off hand Kirk, I would say from one OLD geezer to another that is some fair shooting. I sure would not put my John B. Stetson in front of that rifle at any distance.

[Grizz]

Kirk,

If you gave the bullet weight I couldn't find it, regardless of how big I made the type.

That's good shooting I'd say.

[KirkD]

Kirk,

If you gave the bullet weight I couldn't find it, regardless of how big I made the type.

By gum, I forgot to include it. I went back and edited the post to include the bullet weight. It was 200 grains. Thanks for mentioning that.

[Lefty Dude]

Kirk,

If you gave the bullet weight I couldn't find it, regardless of how big I made the type.

By gum, I forgot to include it. I went back and edited the post to include the bullet weight. It was 200 grains. Thanks for mentioning that.

If you get a mould, consider a bullet weight larger than the 200.
I worked up two loads for my 92 one 200 gr. the other 240. The 240 gr. appears to be more accurate than the 200 after 100 yards.

The 240 gr. I am using is a Laser-Cast 240SWC.
And yes, a semi-wad-cutter feeds very well in my 92 Rossi Carbine. I was surprised also.

I use my 92 for Cowboy Action long range side matchs, as it shoots better than my Uberti Cimarron 73 in 44-40.
We won the CAS long range revolver caliber side match this past Week-end in La Grande, Oregon using the 92 and the 240gr. load. The target was a Steel plate 16" X 16" at 200 yards. 10 shots using cross sticks as support in a sitting position. We scored 7 hits for 10 shots. The 92 sports the factory sights it came from the factory. The rear sight elevator ramp was at the top position.
The load is out of the Alliant reloading manual for 44-40 pistol/revolver.
Bullet weight= 240gr SWC sized .429, lubed with lyman standard lube.
Powder weight= 6.7 gr. Unique
Cartridge length= 1.625"
Load Chrono= 5 shot test,
Average= 1034, low= 1014, high= 1064, SD= 20

[Marc]

Looks like a good off hand group to me! I am also looking at 44 WCF molds. I am leaning toward a Lyman 427666 right now since it is a four cavity mold and it looks like it would carry enough lube for black powder. It is apparently a newer design intended for the cowboy crowd. I wouldn't mind a little more bullet weight but I don't have any wiggle room with overall length in the 73. The nose forward of the crimp groove can't be much over .3" in length. Keep us posted on anything you learn about suitable molds.

Lefty, what bullet do you use in your 73?

[KirkD]

I certainly will consider a heavier bullet come time to get a mould. Thanks for the info on that mould.

[Lefty Dude]

Looks like a good off hand group to me! I am also looking at 44 WCF molds. I am leaning toward a Lyman 427666 right now since it is a four cavity mold and it looks like it would carry enough lube for black powder. It is apparently a newer design intended for the cowboy crowd. I wouldn't mind a little more bullet weight but I don't have any wiggle room with overall length in the 73. The nose forward of the crimp groove can't be much over .3" in length. Keep us posted on anything you learn about suitable molds.

Lefty, what bullet do you use in your 73?

I use the 200 gr. RNFP Desperado Cowboy bullet. This is a 20/1 softcast, lube of there own formula & the mould of there design. This is a very nice CAS bullet, and shoots well in my 73.

My CAS load is 4.4gr. of Alliant American Select. This load Chrono's average 869fps. W/ SD=10.
My other Load for the 73 is same bullet 5.9 gr. Unique average 918fps. W/ SD=26

I can not home cast a better bullet than the Desperado soft-cast. They are a premium product.

http://www.cowboybullets.com