44-40 @ 300 meters - steel javelina

[w44wcf]

One of my very favorite things to do is to shoot my 44-40's at extended distances. 

Back in 1875, Winchester claimed that their 1873 Winchester was effective and accurate out to 500-600 yards and based on what I have witnessed, they were definitely speaking from  experience. 

Here's a video I took recently with my camera (I need to get a good movie camera....perhaps for christmas) at Ridgway Rifle club located in Ridgway, PA.  My apologies for the background noise which was due to the wind.

TARGETS....
The steel javelina targets are   the  second group out.  They stand 300 meters (327 yards) distant from the muzzle. They are 9" high x 22" long.....a bit thin on elevation but good on windage.



close up….


AMMUNITION....
Ammunition was handloaded to replicate the early 44-40 factory black powder ammunition which developed 1,300 f.p.s.   Powder used was SWISS FFG pushing a copy of the original 2 groove bullet...the Ideal / Lyman 427098*.

STATS .... bullet flight time - .94 sec / impact velocity: 800 f.p.s.  Rifle shot from a rest.

The 44-40 / ammo combo did a great job....especially in the conditions that day!

Here's the video. I was shooting at bank 7.  Go to full screen to get the correct view (left click bottom right in the movie frame / ESC to return). Again, my apologies for the wind noise

 

*Bullets made from Accurate Mold 43-210B  (Fairshake development) .429" diameter / flat bottomed lube grooves
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-210B-D.png
Lube: SPG

w44wcf

[Buck Stinson]

I first started using a Lyman mold for my .44-40's almost 50 years ago.  Back then the number was 42798.  I have no idea how many thousands of bullets I've cast in that mold or the untold number of original 1873 and 1892 Winchesters or Colt SA's I've shot this bullet in.  I can say that I have never had a problem with accuracy when matching this bullet diameter to the bore.  The only bullet I have found that will work just as well  comes from original Winchester molds.