Search found 157 matches

by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT: Gripping single actions.
Replies: 17
Views: 3030

Re: OT: Gripping single actions.

Howdy I've been shooting single actions for over 40 years too. And I learned a long time ago that if I did not want to get my knuckle whacked by the trigger guard in recoil, I had better leave a little bit of space between the rear of the trigger guard and the knuckle of my middle finger. I dunno ho...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT - Source for small springs and ball bearings?
Replies: 20
Views: 3214

Re: OT - Source for small springs and ball bearings?

Howdy The link to McMaster Car is an excellent idea. I used to buy all kinds of stuff from them, including springs. I'll bet they will have exactly what you need. They also seem to stock steel balls down to 3/64" in diameter. Just type balls into the search field and click on steel balls. Here ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:06 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 44 Mag Levergun Loads Using 44-40 Load Data??
Replies: 14
Views: 4761

Re: 44 Mag Levergun Loads Using 44-40 Load Data??

Howdy Here is the SAAMI drawing for the 44 Magnum cartridge and chamber: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/chamber%20dimensions/44mag.jpg Here is the information for the 44-40: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/chamber%20dimensions/4440wcf.jpg I'm not su...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: On T- Beretta 1873
Replies: 10
Views: 1929

Re: On T- Beretta 1873

Howdy Beretta Holding owns both Beretta USA and Uberti, plus a lot of other companies. They even have a piece of Browning. Any '73 marketed by Beretta will have been produced by Uberti. Not everybody working on those guns uses the wrong screwdrivers, some of us have invested in very good screwdriver...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:05 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT: Lee 6 Cavity molds.
Replies: 11
Views: 1856

Re: OT: Lee 6 Cavity molds.

Howdy All I have ever used are the Lee six cavity molds. They are great for pumping out lots of pistol bullets in a hurry. I have never had to deburr any of mine. A couple of tips with the Lee molds: I heat the molds by starting to pour lead into them. That is the fastest way to heat them up. Howeve...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Lee Melters- Real life experience
Replies: 17
Views: 2169

Re: Lee Melters- Real life experience

Howdy I have been using a Lee 20 pound bottom pour pot for a bunch of years now. I have the one that has the little adjustable shelf on the bottom. This is very handy because all my molds are six cavity molds. I just place the first cavity under the spout and slide the mold along the shelf, filling ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:38 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT .455 Smith&Wesson
Replies: 10
Views: 3156

Re: OT .455 Smith&Wesson

Howdy Do you know exactly which model it is? There were a bunch of different models that S&W normally chambered for 44 Special, but some were chambered for 455 Mark II. The first was the 44 Handejector First Model, also known as the New Century, but mostly known as the Triple Lock. If you have a...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 WCF cases and reloading
Replies: 14
Views: 2084

Re: .44 WCF cases and reloading

Howdy Again Published groove diameter for 44-40 was .427 in the 19th Century, however in fact it varied quite a bit. Sometimes as low as .425, as much as .430 or so. My two 1890s rifles slug out right at .427, my 1919 vintage '92 comes in at about .429 if I recollect correctly. My 1980s vintage Uber...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:14 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 WCF cases and reloading
Replies: 14
Views: 2084

Re: .44 WCF cases and reloading

M. M. Wright Check out this website and order some Mav-Dutchman 200 grain bullets for your Black Powder loads. Click on the button that says Big Lube. This style of bullet was developed specifically for shooting lots of bullets with Black Powder in Cowboy shooting. You will never again need a grease...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:54 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Winchestser 92 questions
Replies: 14
Views: 2176

Re: Winchestser 92 questions

Howdy I dunno about looking for anything stamped on the barrel about Smokeless. I just checked my two 1892s, one made in 1894 and the other made in 1919. Neither one says anything at all on them about the type of steel used or the type of powder they are proofed for. I do see a note in The Wincheste...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: .44 WCF cases and reloading
Replies: 14
Views: 2084

Re: .44 WCF cases and reloading

Howdy I have been reloading 44-40 (44WCF) for years now, for Cowboy shooting. I have five rifles chambered for the cartridge, two old Winchester Model 1892s and an old Marlin Model 1894, all three made in the 1890s. I also have an Uberti made 1873 and an Uberti made Henry. I usually stuff 2.2CC of F...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:19 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Found this old Colt
Replies: 21
Views: 4003

Re: Found this old Colt

Howdy Be a little bit careful of that 'parts' Colt. Even though the barrel and cylinder are probably modern steel, that 1890 frame is made of earlier steel. Colt did not factory warranty the SAA to shoot Smokeless Powder until 1900. While it is true that the cylinder is the pressure vessel in a revo...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT - OK... We have Planes, and we have Seam Engines...
Replies: 6
Views: 970

Re: OT - OK... We have Planes, and we have Seam Engines...

All together now... why not Steam Planes? Howdy Because of the inherent inefficiency of an external combustion engine. At about the same time that the Wright Brothers were making their final preparations for powered flight using a home made gasoline engine, Samuel Langley made several attempts at p...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:08 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: finally something about Maj. Winters
Replies: 12
Views: 1711

Re: finally something about Maj. Winters

On a side note......along the interstate the Budweiser plant has been flying its flag at half staff. Maybe its for Maj. Winters. No disrespect to Maj Winters, whom I admire greatly, but flags are at half mast all over the country out of respect to the victims of the Tucson shootings. And it was Maj...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:43 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 44 mag/Special Black Powder Loads
Replies: 21
Views: 6443

Re: 44 mag/Special Black Powder Loads

Elmer somewhere in this writings mentions loading "coal dust" which I later read was Black Powder he had ground into a much finer granulation. Not wishing to try this (maybe I'm getting smarter) grinding stunt I'm wondering the finest granulation (FFFFG ?) I could or should use. Anyone tr...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:13 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT - 1st Gen. Colt to start the year off right
Replies: 18
Views: 2145

Re: OT - 1st Gen. Colt to start the year off right

Howdy My books put that SN as having been made in 1929. Kind of hard to believe a gun of that age could be that pristine. Absolutely no wear anyplace. If it is a refinish job it is just about perfect. I can't see any telltells saying it has been refinished. At first, I thought that hole in the rear ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT Removing stains from stainless steel
Replies: 16
Views: 2386

Re: OT Removing stains from stainless steel

FWIW, I've heard that you should never use ordinary steel wool on stainless as bits of steel can embed in the stainless and subsequently rust. Howdy That is correct. Ordinary steel wool will leave tiny pieces of steel behind, imbedded in the Stainless. The bits of steel wool WILL rust, and can then...
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:31 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies
Replies: 34
Views: 12281

Re: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies

Howdy Again

You might try adjusting your stance as I have suggested. Facing about 45 - 90 degrees to the target, and raising the elbow up nice and high brings the stock right up to my face. I don't have to bend my neck to bring my face down to the gun, the gun comes up to me.
by Driftwood Johnson
Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:34 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies
Replies: 34
Views: 12281

Re: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies

Howdy Again I must be doing something right, I can shoot these babies all day long without any owies at all. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/Winchester/Winchester1892Rifle.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/Winchester/Uberti1873.jpg http://img.photo...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies
Replies: 34
Views: 12281

Re: Crescent butt plates, how to shoot w/o owies

Howdy A couple of further comments about crescent buttplates. The photo showing that nice '73 head on is particularly instructive. One mistake modern riflemen make with crescent buttplates is in addition to putting the butt on the meaty part of the shoulder, they stand facing the target. It often he...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:47 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever
Replies: 8
Views: 1084

Re: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever

It was easy. I just took one of mine and compared it to his photo. The screw head was on the other side of the plunger assembly. I have had mine completely apart, including the loading lever assembly. I completely disassembled them when they were new to degrease them. So I knew how to reassemble the...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:02 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever
Replies: 8
Views: 1084

Re: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever

You will not find anything better than these.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k= ... =magna_tip
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?
Replies: 60
Views: 21852

Re: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?

Went back and looked at the one I posted about and it didn't have any extra markings. Just a nice looking Gun with a too shiny reblue. And the price was $ 1150
Howdy Again

I hate to tell you this, but I paid less than half of that.
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:54 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT 45 Colt in New Vaquero or Uberti, how hot can they handle
Replies: 31
Views: 5372

Re: OT 45 Colt in New Vaquero or Uberti, how hot can they handle

Hey AJ I wonder if the Ruger line engineer you usta know is the same one I usta know. He did say that the New Vaquero was built tough, but he would not elaborate. By the way, Ruger uses traditional milling of bar stock to make their cylinders. The frames and other parts are made from investment cast...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT- Colt .38-200
Replies: 12
Views: 1559

Re: OT- Colt .38-200

I figured .30-30 = 30 caliber, 30 grains of black powder, Howdy Not quite. The 30-30 was designed as a Smokeless cartridge from the beginning. It was 30 grains of the new bulk Smokeless powder. 30-30 does not perform very well with Black Powder. Dunno how much it takes to fill it, but I suspect it ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever
Replies: 8
Views: 1084

Re: OT--1860 Army Loading Lever

Howdy Flip the assembly over. There is a small screw that fastens the lever to the ram. Remove the screw. With the screw out, you can position the parts properly. Then reinstall the screw. Once the screw is in place, the loading lever assembly will be in place and cannot be removed from the gun with...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 20, 2010 12:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT 45 Colt in New Vaquero or Uberti, how hot can they handle
Replies: 31
Views: 5372

Re: OT 45 Colt in New Vaquero or Uberti, how hot can they handle

Howdy Although there are many claims to the contrary, Ruger very specifically stated when the New Vaquero was introduced that it should not be shot with anything hotter than standard SAAMI spec 45 Colt ammo. As for an Italian made clone of the SAA like the Evil Roy, they absolutely should not be fir...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 20, 2010 11:47 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?
Replies: 60
Views: 21852

Re: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?

Howdy Jay, nice to hear from you. I did not get down to shoot with the Lincoln County guys at all this year. I did make a trip to Springfield and toured your factory though. Very interesting. Thanks for your information. I bought the gun just over the line in NH, and thinking that Winchester had shi...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Nov 20, 2010 12:38 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?
Replies: 60
Views: 21852

Re: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?

Howdy Again I'm pretty sure it is not a British Broad Arrow or the Canadian Version. I have a couple of Lee /Enfields with the British Broad Arrow, and a S&W that was sent to Canada with the Canadian Broad Arrow. This mark does not look like either, that's why I asked in the first place. Here is...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Nov 19, 2010 4:56 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?
Replies: 60
Views: 21852

Strange marking on Winchester 92 Carbine?

Howdy Sometimes you're in the right place at the right time. A few weeks ago a little Winchester Model 1892 saddle ring carbine caught my eye in a local shop. I might add that I have never been real enthusiastic about carbines, most of my leverguns are full length rifles, including my old 1892. But ...
by Driftwood Johnson
Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Drying Walnut for Gunstock?
Replies: 21
Views: 4229

Re: Drying Walnut for Gunstock?

Howdy I used to be a professional woodworker/cabinet maker. The rule of thumb for air drying fresh cut lumber is one year per inch of thickness. This can vary though, depending on the climate where the wood is stored. One inch per year is a good rule for a relatively dry climate. But in places of hi...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:50 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: do you still have your first gun?
Replies: 89
Views: 8642

Re: do you still have your first gun?

Howdy

Yes. I have my Dad's old Winchester Model '06 gallery rifle. He gave it to me when I was around 14 or so. His Dad bought it for him in New York City in Abercrombie and Fitch in the 1930s. Imagine that!

I'll take a photo and post it sometime.
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:26 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Info on the 1873 Uberti/Cimarron
Replies: 21
Views: 5799

Re: Info on the 1873 Uberti/Cimarron

Griff Was that 1886 clone or an 1866 clone that streched the frame? I would be rather suprised if an 1886 clone did it. Howdy again I'm sure Griff meant a 1866. The 1886 is not a SASS legal main match rifle, it would only be suitable for long range side matches. Much more likely a brass framed yell...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:23 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Info on the 1873 Uberti/Cimarron
Replies: 21
Views: 5799

Re: Info on the 1873 Uberti/Cimarron

Howdy I have an 1860 Henry and an 1873. Both are chambered for 44-40. Uberti specifies .429 as the rifling groove diameter for 44-40. I have slugged both of my rifles, the Henry is .429, however the '73 is .427. I got the '73 first and used to shoot .427 bullets in it. It actually did fine with .427...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Sep 24, 2010 8:20 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT- the best SAA?
Replies: 37
Views: 4831

Re: OT- the best SAA?

Howdy Here are my favorite single actions. Both are 2nd Gen Colts. The top one was made in 1973, the bottom one was made in 1968. Somebody else stripped off all the finish on the little one, but it has aged considerably in my hands since then. I shoot nothing but Black Powder through them in CAS. Th...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:50 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: OT: Remi in slo mo
Replies: 1
Views: 323

Re: OT: Remi in slo mo

Howdy

Yes, it looks like a Remington 1875. Looks like Black Powder too. But most interesting of all, a big puff of smoke comes out of the muzzle before the bullet.
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders
Replies: 73
Views: 47940

Re: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders

2. if you happen to leave a minute amount of residue in some microscopic pit somewhere, it won't matter Actually, if you leave a little bit of BP fouling in the pits of an old bore, but liberally coat it with oil, like Ballistol, it will not matter either. Black Powder fouling is no where near as c...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:17 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 45---long---colt
Replies: 98
Views: 9840

Re: 45---long---colt

Howdy I have been shooting the 45 Colt cartridge since 1975. I have heard once or twice of commercially loaded ammo being headstamped and labeled 45 Long Colt, but I have never seen any, either in person or on the internet. Not saying it never existed, but I have never seen any. Today, SAAMI only re...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders
Replies: 73
Views: 47940

Re: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders

Driftwood Johnson, Thank you for your input. I do know that Colt did not advise the use of smokeless cartridges early on, but I wonder if it was because of the uncertainty of the type of smokeless and the amount of smokeless being used by reloaders? No, it was because Colt felt the metal was not st...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:14 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Uberti 1860 Henry advice...
Replies: 14
Views: 5933

Re: Uberti 1860 Henry advice...

Howdy I have a steel framed Henry that has been my Main Match rifle in Cowboy Action Shooting competition for the last few years. In fact I use a photo of it as my avatar. Here is another photo. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Driftwood_Johnson/Henry05.jpg Mine is chambered for 44-40 and I ha...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:01 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders
Replies: 73
Views: 47940

Re: Pressure Spike in Smokeless Powders

Howdy I shoot a LOT of Black Powder. Mostly in 45 Colt and 44-40, but also in 45 Schofield. My 44-40 rounds are all shot in rifles, an original Winchester Model 1892 made in 1894, a Marlin Model 1894 made in 1895, a Uberti replica model 1873 and a Uberti replica 1860 Henry. My 45 Colt loads are shot...
by Driftwood Johnson
Mon May 31, 2010 4:03 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Any practical reason to get a .44 WCF?
Replies: 31
Views: 3645

Re: Any practical reason to get a .44 WCF?

Howdy I have to agree with my pard Nate. For shooting Black Powder, 44-40 really shines because of the thinness of the brass at the casemouth. Expands to seal the chamber much better than 45 Colt. I shoot nothing but 44-40 with Black Powder in my CAS rifles, and they never bind up from fouling blowb...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sat May 01, 2010 3:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Passive Hammer Block on Uberti Cattleman SAA
Replies: 7
Views: 2169

Re: Passive Hammer Block on Uberti Cattleman SAA

Howdy I am in complete agreement here. First off, us CAS types only load five and keep the hammer down on an empty chamber, even with a Ruger. That is standard CAS rules and applies at all official matches. Yes, a Ruger is completely safe to carry with a live round under the hammer, but since the Co...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:08 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Blackpowder cartridges in a Rossi 92 / .44 Mag?
Replies: 11
Views: 2702

Re: Blackpowder cartridges in a Rossi 92 / .44 Mag?

Howdy I shoot Black Powder in my 44-40 rifles all the time in CAS. The brass is very thin at the neck with 44-40, only around .007 or so thick, and it obturates very well to seal the chamber. All the fouling stays in the bore. 45 Colt is a little bit trickier, the brass is thicker, around .012 thick...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Colt Burgess from Uberti
Replies: 34
Views: 4031

Re: Colt Burgess from Uberti

Howdy We have been talking about that Uberti '73 in 44 Mag over on the SASS wire recently. According to my Speer manual, SAAMI max pressure for 30-30 is 38,000 CUP. SAAMI max pressure for 44 Mag is 36,000 PSI. Unfortunately, there is no direct correlation between CUP and PSI. However, all the guns U...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:55 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Winchester Buttstock Change
Replies: 11
Views: 3876

Re: Winchester Buttstock Change

It might not have been a cut-down "rifle". Winchester made many "rifles" with a 20" barrel. Model 55s were the "standardized" version of their straight grip rifle and were made with both 20" & 26" barrels, in both solid and TD versions. They were mad...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bare essentials to start reloading?
Replies: 22
Views: 2385

Re: Bare essentials to start reloading?

Howdy I will give you the same answer I always give to beginners. Before you spend one red cent on equipment go out and buy a good reloading manual, and read it. The Lee book is fine, I learned on the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook. Speer is very good too. Read the chapter describing the reloadi...
by Driftwood Johnson
Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Humor -- The Bronze Rat
Replies: 9
Views: 1298

Re: Humor -- The Bronze Rat

Howdy

The way I heard it, years ago, it was a banjo joke. After the guy pitched the rat into the harbor he goes back to the shop and asks if they have any banjos. Banjo players are always the butt of musical jokes.
by Driftwood Johnson
Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Winchester Buttstock Change
Replies: 11
Views: 3876

Re: Winchester Buttstock Change

While the crescent style might be easier to lever and reload without taking it from the shoulder, it's not nearly as comfortable to shoot as the carbine or shotgun style buttplate. Howdy I happen to disagree. I have an original Winchester Model 1892, an original Marlin model 1894, an Uberti replica...
by Driftwood Johnson
Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:31 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Uberti Model 1866
Replies: 35
Views: 7806

Re: Uberti Model 1866

I really think I will go for the 73, 20" in 357. Now tell me this. Can I shoot 357 mag and 38 special in this gun? Howdy Again Yes. But sometimes the toggle link rifles are a little bit Overall Case Length sensitive. You may find that some shorter loadings of 38 Sp do not feed properly in a ri...