duplicating .44 Henry RF

[Dr. Bob]

My Henry has been converted to 44 Russian.  I fill the cast to 1/8 inch from the top and seat the  44 Big Lube [TM] bullet.  Don't experience much, if any blow by.  Just like my 1873 in 45 Colt which does not show much, if any blow by into the action.  It is just NOT a problem when you fill the case up with Black Powder and a Big Lube [TM] bullet!  I have not seen fouling get to the middle of the cartridge case with these loads.  Great concussion too!!!         Huh!  What did you say?   

[stepnmud]

Also have pretty good luck with blackpowder and 44R. in the Henry and Uberti revolvers. When I deprime the previously fired cases,I use a 44WCF sizer/deprime die so the cases are still unsized and lately been using 165 gr. trundicated bullet design with a big lube groove. During a two match, the revolvers and shotgun never get any cleaning, but the rifle does get a mop with Ballistol once or twice thru the barrel. Humidity is fairly high here in S.E. Texas and think a drier climate and less humidity may cause more dry fouling in the bore and need more attention as with a lot of blackpowder loads.

Something that catches my attention is the 'The Hayfield Fight' near Montana in 1867 and civilian Colvin fires some three hundred rounds from his Henry and wondered if and how he keep his rifle from fouling out during the fight. Did the heel lubed bullets keep this from happening?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayfield_Fight

[FriscoCounty]

Remember, the Henry .44 RF cases were copper with a folded rim.  Also, the driving band of the bullet is larger than the case at the neck.  This implies a couple of things.
- the copper case should expand to seal the chamber as well, or better, than a .44-40.
- there is ample 'slop' for fouling to build up and still have the rounds chamber and eject easily.
- the driving band would tend to push any residual fouling from the previous shot out the front, reducing build up.

[Joe Lansing]

    I read a first hand account of the Wagon Box Fight in which this particular participant was using a Spencer. When asked if he got thirsty during the fight, he replied he used most of his water to cool his rifle barrel.
    If he poured the water through the bore to cool the barrel, this would also help clean the bore and keep the fouling soft.

                                                                   J.L.

[Will Ketchum]

    I read a first hand account of the Wagon Box Fight in which this particular participant was using a Spencer. When asked if he got thirsty during the fight, he replied he used most of his water to cool his rifle barrel.
    If he poured the water through the bore to cool the barrel, this would also help clean the bore and keep the fouling soft.

                                                                   J.L.

I have always read it was a Henry.

Will Ketchum

[Fox Creek Kid]

I have always read it was a Henry.

Will Ketchum

There were some of both, however the majority were newly issued Springfield 50-70 ``needle`` guns and they were what saved their bacon. 

[Joe Lansing]

    My source is a book titled "Indian Fights And Fighters", by Cyrus Townsend Brady, published in 1904. I have an original copy, but more recently, it has been available in paperback.
    It's true though, most of the credit belongs to the M1866 Springfield 50-70's. A supply (wagon) train was there with a shipment of the rifles and ammo destined for Ft. Phil Kearney.

                                                            J.L.