44-40 in new Win '73


Copper BB
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:20 pm
PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:43 pm
What would be a safe 44-40 load for the new Win '73 considering the Toggle Link mechanism?
Currently using 9.0 grains of Unique & 200 grain cast lead bullet in Win'92.
Lyman book lists 8.0 grains as min. & potentially most accurate.
PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:39 pm
Welcome to the Winchester Owners Forum hmeier !!

I'm not into re-loading myself, but I'm sure another member will be able to help you...so, stay tuned !

Copper BB
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:07 pm
PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:06 am
I've shot 9.0 Unique in a '73 with no issues, but that is probably pushing it a bit for a steady diet. I know Cowboy Action Shooting folks that will go down to 4.0 to 4.5 grains of Unique for "gamer" loads. My typical load is 7.0 grains of Unique with a 200 grain bullet.

Now if you really want to shoot it like it was intended - load about 32 grains of FFFg black powder with a 200 grain bullet. Now you're talking fun! :D

.410
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 10:36 pm
Location: Northeast Alabama
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:33 am
GLaxton wrote:I've shot 9.0 Unique in a '73 with no issues, but that is probably pushing it a bit for a steady diet. I know Cowboy Action Shooting folks that will go down to 4.0 to 4.5 grains of Unique for "gamer" loads. My typical load is 7.0 grains of Unique with a 200 grain bullet.

Now if you really want to shoot it like it was intended - load about 32 grains of FFFg black powder with a 200 grain bullet. Now you're talking fun! :D


or pyrodex if you don't want to rot your bore/chamber/action......but YEAH MAN....smoker loads rule !!!

if you shoot a lot of very warm to hot loads, check your toggle & link eyes occasionally for "stretching" ( going oblong) as this can cause excessive headspace.

Copper BB
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:07 pm
PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:49 am
Actually, true BP loads are easier to clean and less corrosive than the substitutes. Bottlenecked calibers like the 44-40 seal the chamber so well that essentially no powder fouling gets in the rifles action. With proper bullet and lube combinations I shoot a 2 to 3 day match without cleaning the rifle and then it takes only 4 patches and a bore snake. There's a lot of misinformation about BP.

.410
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 10:36 pm
Location: Northeast Alabama
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:23 am
GLaxton wrote:Actually, true BP loads are easier to clean and less corrosive than the substitutes. Bottlenecked calibers like the 44-40 seal the chamber so well that essentially no powder fouling gets in the rifles action. With proper bullet and lube combinations I shoot a 2 to 3 day match without cleaning the rifle and then it takes only 4 patches and a bore snake. There's a lot of misinformation about BP.


i'm glad you've developed great loads for your rifle, but i've shot BP since before there WAS Pyrodex, and rotted a few barrels with it personally.
Simple chemistry.....saltpetre and sulphur erode iron so unless you're shooting stainless, you're damaging your barrel too.....pitting = lost iron in steel
not misinformation here.......actual hands on experience

Copper BB
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:07 pm
PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:22 am
If you're corroding your barrel, it is not being cleaned properly after shooting. I've fired many thousands of rounds and all of my rifle bores are still shiny and clean.

Proper lube + cleaning procedures = no problem
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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:02 pm
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:37 pm
hmeier4799 wrote:What would be a safe 44-40 load for the new Win '73 considering the Toggle Link mechanism?
Currently using 9.0 grains of Unique & 200 grain cast lead bullet in Win'92.
Lyman book lists 8.0 grains as min. & potentially most accurate.


I know this is an old post but 8.5gr of Unique is Lyman's max load for Group I rifles like the Winchester 73'.
10.2gr is Lyman's max load for Group II rifles like the Winchester 92' and Marlin 1894 type strong action rifles.

https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/
https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/
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20g
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Location: Central Louisiana
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:58 am
Greetings Bryan,

Welcome to the herd. We are roaming rather thin on members . So post as often as you can.

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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:02 pm
PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2020 6:52 pm
redryder wrote:Greetings Bryan,

Welcome to the herd. We are roaming rather thin on members . So post as often as you can.

Posters to this thread are no longer here.


Ah, thanks
https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/

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