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44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:43 pm
by hmeier4799
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.

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:39 pm
by SHOOTER13
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 !

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:06 am
by GLaxton
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

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:33 am
by Bama Leroy
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.

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:49 am
by GLaxton
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.

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:23 am
by Bama Leroy
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

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:22 am
by GLaxton
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

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:37 pm
by Bryan Austin
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/

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:58 am
by redryder
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.

Re: 44-40 in new Win '73

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2020 6:52 pm
by Bryan Austin
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