Stepping back in time - 1873 oversized Winchester & pure lead bullets

[w44wcf]

............The rifle: Original special order 1873 Winchester made in 1882
.........The barrel: oversized >.4365" dia breech /.4335" dia. muzzle / somewhat rough
The ammunition: replication of the original b.p. ammunition / pure lead bullets (.426") / 40 grs. b.p.



Even though I have experimented in the past with b.p. in this rifle, it was mostly with bullets that fit the barrel.
Recently I had an interest in stepping back in time to the original owner in 1882 and wanted to see how the rifle performed for him then using the only ammunition available at that time which was factory loaded with 40 grs. of b.p., and had a thin card wad between the powder and a pure lead bullet.

For the test, I used some original W.R.A. Co. .44 W.C.F. headstamped cases. 40 grs. of Swiss FFG powder was used and compressed .20". A .04" thick card wad was then placed over the powder and a pure lead 427098 bullet was seated and crimped.

Just as it happened back in 1882, the pure lead bullets bumped up .010" to fill the oversized bore and produced the 50 target below.



I am sure the original owner was very pleased.........as was I!

[wildman1]

Very nice looking Winchester. Has that rifle been reblued? It looks absolutely beautiful. I have sent you a pm regarding oversized bores in old rifles as I did not want to hijack this thread.
wMI

[Cliff Fendley]

That rifle appears in excellent condition. Obviously it shoots well.

[Tascosa Joe]

Is the tang site original to the rifle?  It is beautiful.

[Mike]

W44WCF
Great thread, will add this to my notes if I may.
great looking rifle.
Thanks

[w44wcf]

Wm1, Thank you.  Actually the rifle has very little blue remaining. The pic was taken an hour or so before sunset so it looks better than it actually is.

Tascoe Joe,  I wish it was original to the rifle but is is a modern day Lyman tang sight.

w44wcf

[wildman1]

I can see the lighter coloring of the blue if I tilt the computer screen a little. Still looks really great. wM1