I dont shoot black powder cartridge guns to much but i have an original first model 1873 winchester in great shootable condition. And i was just wondering if i could use some 44-40 magtech cowboy loads in it or would it have to be black powder loads? Any responses are appreciated and thank you.
1873 winchester ammo
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Packman
Member
If it's an original, I wouldn't shoot smokeless out of it. Some of the down-loaded Cowboy Action rounds might be okay, but it was built for black.
This is assuming you actually want to shoot an original. If it were mine, I'd shoot it with the real deal and would not load any smokeless through it. Sacrilege.
This is assuming you actually want to shoot an original. If it were mine, I'd shoot it with the real deal and would not load any smokeless through it. Sacrilege.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
First of all, I would take it to a gunsmith who is familiar with toggle link rifles and have him determine how tight the action is. If the smith blesses it, if the toggles and bolt lock up nice and tight and if the headspace is correct, I would not hesitate to shoot it with light Smokeless loads, such as cowboy loads.
A rifle is not the same as a revolver. While I never shoot pre-1900 revolvers with Smokeless, the barrel thickness at the chamber is plenty heavy enough for light smokeless loads. The only question is, do the toggles and bolt lock up correctly without any slop. If there is excess slop, if the headspace is not correct, than Smokeless loads will pound the dickens out of the links and mortices, and make things worse. But if everything is nice and tight, light loads Smokeless loads won't hurt it.
Of course, if it was mine, I would put nothing but BP through it. So far I have five rifles chambered for 44-40, I only shoot BP in them. I have one original 1873 made in 1887, chambered for 38-40. It only sees Black Powder too.
First of all, I would take it to a gunsmith who is familiar with toggle link rifles and have him determine how tight the action is. If the smith blesses it, if the toggles and bolt lock up nice and tight and if the headspace is correct, I would not hesitate to shoot it with light Smokeless loads, such as cowboy loads.
A rifle is not the same as a revolver. While I never shoot pre-1900 revolvers with Smokeless, the barrel thickness at the chamber is plenty heavy enough for light smokeless loads. The only question is, do the toggles and bolt lock up correctly without any slop. If there is excess slop, if the headspace is not correct, than Smokeless loads will pound the dickens out of the links and mortices, and make things worse. But if everything is nice and tight, light loads Smokeless loads won't hurt it.
Of course, if it was mine, I would put nothing but BP through it. So far I have five rifles chambered for 44-40, I only shoot BP in them. I have one original 1873 made in 1887, chambered for 38-40. It only sees Black Powder too.
44 Dave
Member
I shoot my '73, made in 1880 all of the time.
With "cowboy loads" there is a lot less recoil than full black powder loads.
Her action is in very tight and the barrel is better than most 134 year olds
If the links are good shoot it or get it repaired then shoot it.
With "cowboy loads" there is a lot less recoil than full black powder loads.
Her action is in very tight and the barrel is better than most 134 year olds
If the links are good shoot it or get it repaired then shoot it.
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