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31
The Winchester Model 1886 / Re: ‘86 Lightweight, .33 day at the range
« Last post by Trailrider on March 25, 2024, 09:34:15 PM »
My .33 went to the range today to test some loads.  It’s been far too long since I had the rifle out.

After scouring through some old manuals, notes, and forum postings, I decided to try 42 grain of H4895.  Previous loads from years ago had used IMR 3031 but some have reported good results with 4895, 4350, and even 4831.  Bullets were 200 grains from Hornady and Woodleigh.

200 gr Hornady load: ave velocity was 2347 fps!!  Decent group with vertical stringing likely due to the very small sights and old eyes.

200 gr Woodleigh load: ave velocity 2357 fps and grouping was very good considering the sights and shooter!

I was totally surprised at the velocity produced.  Cases extracted easily with no pressure signs however I will back down on the powder charge, aiming for 2200 fps which offers plenty of power at the ranges I will use the rifle and should be easy on the rifle and cases.

This rifle is a candidate for a spring black bear hunt and while either of the bullets tested would be fine, the Woodleigh is a really nice bullet that I would like to put to the test.  I really like the .33 cartridge in the ‘86 lightweight configuration.
I haven't shot mine in years, but it made great wild boar medicine. I did some testing using an Oehler M43 Personal Ballistics Lab with a strain gage cemented to the barrel over the chamber. I used 51 gr. Herters 100 powder behind a 200 gr. Hornady JFP bullet (no longer made  :( ). Average MN = 2371 ft/sec. Av. Pmax = 39,100 units. HR100 was a powder imported from Eley-Kynoch in Scotland. Later it was marketed as Scot's 4351, same powder. Burning rate somewhere between IMR4320 and IMR4350, but with small grains. Powder used old methyl-centralite coating. The rifle was a rebarrelled .45-70, and I eventually had the breechblock and locking lugs from a M71 installed, which locks up somewhat tighter and has the ejector completely surrounded with metal instead of the type used in the M1886, in which the ejector forms the bottom half of the firing pin channel. The reason I did that was because I had a set on hand, and had had the ejector in a M'86 break off, sending a little gas back. Never had the problem with the .33, but since I had the block/lugs, why not? 
32
Tall Tales / Re: Cawfee,Tea, Grub while Marching to warmer weather.
« Last post by Professor Marvel on March 25, 2024, 08:51:18 PM »
GezundHeit ( literally, “again good health” ) to you folks

More snow in the mountains of the Great Southwest.
In local news, mrs marvel caught a bug :(
In international news, newcomer to The Big League in Japanese sumo wrestling won the March Tournament, :

Takerufuji became the first sumo wrestler in 110 years to win the top-division tournament on his debut to the top division of sumo

He won
The Emporers Cup,
Fighting Spirit prize,
techniques prize,
Outstanding performance prize

Darn good for a rookie on his first tournament in “the big show”

Yhs
Prof mumbles

33
Tall Tales / Re: Cawfee,Tea, Grub while Marching to warmer weather.
« Last post by DeaconKC on March 25, 2024, 08:40:40 PM »
Well you guys get better quick. Anyway, the weekend was cold for the Arkansas State Black Powder championship. Great event with good folks. Anyway today was in the fifties and rained a "toad-strangler". Supposed to be dry though the rest of the week,slowly getting warmer. Y'all take care.
34
STORM / Re: 44 Colt to 44 Special
« Last post by Abilene on March 25, 2024, 06:45:24 PM »
When I was working at Cimarron, they had the reamer in the work area and I reamed a few cylinders that customers sent in, and a few new cylinders when they only had 44 Colt OT's in stock and somebody wanted 44 Spcl.  The last time I looked, I couldn't find it and maybe one of their gunsmiths had it.  That's some years ago but anyways, couldn't hurt to call and ask. It's also likely that one of their off-site gunsmiths could do it.

Pretty good chance somebody here has one, too!  Nice thing about the job is that you can mail a reamer or mail cylinders, no need to ship a gun!
35
CAS City Classifieds / Re: For Sale! New starline 32-20 brass
« Last post by Cotton Eye Joe on March 25, 2024, 05:17:31 PM »
Still got 1050 pieces to sell, $1 per 3 pieces of brass.
36
NCOWS / Re: 2024 convention
« Last post by Yuma Kid on March 25, 2024, 03:53:28 PM »
I should also take this opportunity to thank John "Bear Tooth Billy" Hoker for putting on the convention without the help of a local posse. I know he had a lot of help and thanks to everyone who was able to. This convention would not have happened without John and he deserves all the credit!
Thanks! :) :)
37
STORM / 44 Colt to 44 Special
« Last post by Yellowhouse Sam on March 25, 2024, 01:31:41 PM »
Who can ream my 44 Colt Open Top cylinder to 44 special?
38
Gunsmithing / Re: Measuring mainspring strength
« Last post by Navy Six on March 25, 2024, 01:31:18 PM »
Well, just to satisfy myself that I wouldn't be wasting my time, this morning I did a brief preliminary test. A pair of Uberti mainsprings that came out of Cattleman(circa 1998 & 2000 and are definitely heavier than current production) were installed in my Uberti 51 Navy squarebacks. These two cap suck at the rate of 2/3 every 30 rounds or so despite everything done to them. After 60 total rounds I didn't have a single issue. No changes from usual other than the mainsprings. So I will hunt down more mainsprings of a similar weight as I intend to continue testing these two guns as well as a pair of 61 Navies and 60 Armies. I want to know about what weight mainspring is required to make these things work.
39
CAS City Classifieds / Re: For Sale! New starline 32-20 brass
« Last post by Yellowhouse Sam on March 25, 2024, 01:28:11 PM »
I never received a message Joe.  Go ahead and sell them .
40
Tall Tales / Re: Cawfee,Tea, Grub while Marching to warmer weather.
« Last post by Major 2 on March 25, 2024, 01:05:33 PM »
Hoping for your quick recovery, Slim 
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