Range session with the Miroku Winchester M73 in 44-40

[Mgr2]

Hi all.

Not a Henry, but a close relative . Here is a short video I made of my recent session at the short range.

https://youtu.be/LR8C5hbsQj4

[JEBar]

thanks for the link to the video .... I'd like to hear more of your use impressions of the caliber and rifle

[Mistered]

Not a Henry, but a close relative

More like the distinguished great grandfather!
I had the opportunity to shoot an original 1873 many years ago.
Still kicking around the idea of one in .357.

[Mags]

.
side gate loading looks really slick and easy on that one.

[BigAl52]

Had one great caliber especially when loaded with black powder. Should of never sold it and I would buy it back tomorrow if I could

[Mgr2]

thanks for the link to the video .... I'd like to hear more of your use impressions of the caliber and rifle

The Miroku Winchester 73 is superbly built. Wood is very good, and I like the fact that it is oiled and not lacquered. Wood to steel finish is perfect, bluing is deep and glossy, and moving parts cycle easily and have no play. All in all a perfect rifle for the price range.

Before I bought it I read that the 44-40 WCF is a challenging caliber to reload, so I knew what I was going into, and have not been diappointed in that matter . It is easy to crumple the cases if the expander plug is too small, or if there is too much lube on the bullets. However with the right tools and care during bullet seating this is not a problem. So far I have only shot it at shorter ranges (50-100 meters) however look forward to experiment with loads and bullets at longer ranges (150-300 meters).

Here is some interesting info about the history and development of the 44 WCF cartridge, and information about black powder and smokeless loads: https://sites.google.com/view/44winches ... idges/home

[JEBar]

info appreciated, specially about reloading .... looking forward to your ongoing reports

[BigAl52]

I found loading for it not that bad at all as you have. I played with black in it and used an RCBS bullet that was 215 grain out of one of there moulds. It was a very accurate bullet and would shoot one ragged hole with a case full of BP. I got that info from a book written by Mike Venturino called Shooting Leverguns of the Old West. It was a great book as he gave info on shooting all of the old west calibers with black and smokeless. That 44-40 will shoot great at distances you are planning to shoot it at. I used an 1873 Uberti with a 24 inch barrel and a close friend had one in a 30 inch barrel. He later sold it to me and then I sold it and shouldnt of. I do now have an 1873 Uberti in 357 18 inch trapper model. Its a great gun to shoot.

[Mags]

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Enjoyed reading the history. Thanks for pointing it out!

...
Here is some interesting info about the history and development of the 44 WCF cartridge, and information about black powder and smokeless loads: https://sites.google.com/view/44winches ... idges/home