Henry Rifle Forums

Winter storm moving in this weekend so I hurried down to the range to try 5 different loads in search of one my 1873 44 Carbine really likes.
Out of what I had to work with regarding bullets and powder I setup at 35 yds shooting from kneeling position for a steady hold and put the red target dot on top of my front sight bead for all shots. Each target to get 5 shots of the different loads.

The WINNER was that Xtreme plated 200 gr. RNFP bullet with 9 gr. Unique. Remember 5 shots fired !!

A close 2nd was same bullet with 6 gr. of Red Dot and the Uberti Winchester 1873 DOES NOT like the 200 gr. Missouri Bullet.

Tried the Matt's Bullets 245 cast RNFP and had an interesting result with what looks like 2 bullets in one hole....5 were fired and no other 5th hole found. That top hole looks a bit elongated you think? Plate on the top right.

Now I'm down to just a few of those 200 gr. Xtreme bullets and will place another order for them!

The work you do to find the right load.

NOTE the bottom right target was last one for the shoot and I fired 2 additional rounds which were 240 XTP with 9 Unique.

Dang forty, that Unique load shot well, as did that one Red Dot load. Unique for the win tho! Hunker down during the snow and handload some more.

Rifletom wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:02 pm

Dang forty, that Unique load shot well, as did that one Red Dot load. Unique for the win tho! Hunker down during the snow and handload some more.

Thanks Tom! We are supposed to get maybe 2 inches and then later sleet to all rain. We will see how all that unfolds!
Now just need to place an order for those Xtreme bullets.

Amazing how the finger prints and light combine to make for a nice color case look on the receiver even though it is nicely blued. Must be the Ballistol!

Hmmm nice job Forty. I figured you would do well with that 9 grain load

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:40 pm

Hmmm nice job Forty. I figured you would do well with that 9 grain load

Think the big part of it was the bullet that the bore liked. The MB 200 bullets just like to scatter a bit in this particular rifle.

Outstanding!

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:43 pm

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:40 pm

Hmmm nice job Forty. I figured you would do well with that 9 grain load

Think the big part of it was the bullet that the bore liked. The MB 200 bullets just like to scatter a bit in this particular rifle.

Agree on the right bullet but the right bullet also needs the right powder charge. I suggested that load because it has worked well for myself with quite a few bullets in 44 mag when I was experimenting in the past. I also like xtreme bullets they shoot well in all of my guns. I use them more than I do lead cast anymore. Have fun with the 73 there great rifles.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:07 am

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:43 pm

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:40 pm

Hmmm nice job Forty. I figured you would do well with that 9 grain load

Think the big part of it was the bullet that the bore liked. The MB 200 bullets just like to scatter a bit in this particular rifle.

Agree on the right bullet but the right bullet also needs the right powder charge. I suggested that load because it has worked well for myself with quite a few bullets in 44 mag when I was experimenting in the past. I also like xtreme bullets they shoot well in all of my guns. I use them more than I do lead cast anymore. Have fun with the 73 there great rifles.

I agree Al. I went back thru my reloading notes and I have used 9 gr. Unique with good results in 45 Colt and 44 Mag.
Looks like this rifle shines with a 200 gr. bullet for low level 44 Magnum plinking. Looking at the MB and Xtreme bullet with same 6 gr. Red Dot load the MB bullet doesn't want to settle down wandering a bit. It does shoot much better in the revolver though.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:33 pm

Winter storm moving in this weekend so I hurried down to the range to try 5 different loads in search of one my 1873 44 Carbine really likes.
Out of what I had to work with regarding bullets and powder I setup at 35 yds shooting from kneeling position for a steady hold and put the red target dot on top of my front sight bead for all shots. Each target to get 5 shots of the different loads.

The WINNER was that Xtreme plated 200 gr. RNFP bullet with 9 gr. Unique. Remember 5 shots fired !!

A close 2nd was same bullet with 6 gr. of Red Dot and the Uberti Winchester 1873 DOES NOT like the 200 gr. Missouri Bullet.

Tried the Matt's Bullets 245 cast RNFP and had an interesting result with what looks like 2 bullets in one hole....5 were fired and no other 5th hole found. That top hole looks a bit elongated you think? Plate on the top right.

Now I'm down to just a few of those 200 gr. Xtreme bullets and will place another order for them!

The work you do to find the right load.

NOTE the bottom right target was last one for the shoot and I fired 2 additional rounds which were 240 XTP with 9 Unique.

Yeah, the “work” indeed.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:22 am

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:07 am

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:43 pm

Think the big part of it was the bullet that the bore liked. The MB 200 bullets just like to scatter a bit in this particular rifle.

Agree on the right bullet but the right bullet also needs the right powder charge. I suggested that load because it has worked well for myself with quite a few bullets in 44 mag when I was experimenting in the past. I also like xtreme bullets they shoot well in all of my guns. I use them more than I do lead cast anymore. Have fun with the 73 there great rifles.

I agree Al. I went back thru my reloading notes and I have used 9 gr. Unique with good results in 45 Colt and 44 Mag.
Looks like this rifle shines with a 200 gr. bullet for low level 44 Magnum plinking. Looking at the MB and Xtreme bullet with same 6 gr. Red Dot load the MB bullet doesn't want to settle down wandering a bit. It does shoot much better in the revolver though.

Your last sentence is why we handloaders get gray hair so fast. Works in one gun, but, not in another! What the.....!?
And continue on we do.

Looks good as usual, is the MB smaller or larger?
Or ya think it's the coating?
Liking that red dot more all the time.
9.0 grs works well in both the 45 colt rifles over here.
I don't why but my 44 bbb is the lest shot of all the pistol calibers I own,
and was the second I purchased.

RP

Well both bullets mic at .430 The MB is supposed to be a 12 Bhn hardness the Cowboy load bullet and the Xtreme are quoted as a 18 Bhn.
The MB bullet has a slicker feel to it than the plated Xtreme but less surface area to contact the rifling due to the lube groove.

Are they similar in design, RN, FN, RFN?

RP

I bought 500 of the MB 240 smashers a while back but haven't spent any time with them.
But hey, I have 'em.

RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:50 pm

Are they similar in design, RN, FN, RFN?

RP

Same profile but the Xtreme has more surface to engage rifling if that makes a difference. It would raise pressure just a bit.

I'd say that's some pretty darn good shootin'.