............The rifle: Original special order 1873 Winchester made in 1882
.........The barrel: oversized >.4365" dia breech /.4335" dia. muzzle / somewhat rough
The ammunition: replication of the original b.p. ammunition / pure lead bullets (.426") / 40 grs. b.p.
Even though I have experimented in the past with b.p. in this rifle, it was mostly with bullets that fit the barrel.
Recently I had an interest in stepping back in time to the original owner in 1882 and wanted to see how the rifle performed for him then using the only ammunition available at that time which was factory loaded with 40 grs. of b.p., and had a thin card wad between the powder and a pure lead bullet.
For the test, I used some original W.R.A. Co. .44 W.C.F. headstamped cases. 40 grs. of Swiss FFG powder was used and compressed .20". A .04" thick card wad was then placed over the powder and a pure lead 427098 bullet was seated and crimped.
Just as it happened back in 1882, the pure lead bullets bumped up .010" to fill the oversized bore and produced the 50 target below.
I am sure the original owner was very pleased.........as was I!