Vintage Hunting with the 1873

[hammer1]

Ive had a issue this year with raccoons, had one raiding the wifes bird feeders. I was instructed to be the other shooter on the grassy knoll. A rather large female took one from the cz 512, 22 mag. Another one was circling my pond, for no known reason. My 50-70 sharps with a 450 gr. Bullet made a interesting conversation piece of it. Both shot in broad daylight, midafternoon. Havent seen any woodchucks this year, which is a bit odd.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Here is my 73 in my little blue mule .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Rifle season opens in a couple weeks . I have a week of vacation to take . Have plans to camp for the week .

[cpt dan blodgett]

Good luck on the hunt and congrats on having vacation to take as that implies being employed.  Did you get on at the mine 4 miles from your door.

I just acquired a Miruko 73 RB short rifle in 44-40.  Just starting loading, want to get a decent CAS smokeless load for it then branch out to BP.  I have 100 rounds starline brass and 300 enroute from TOTW.  Don't want to load them with BP until I have fire formed them to the chamber.  That should give a bit more powder capacity vs the straight taper they are when new.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

cpt Dan
I work for the County water now . I tried getting on at the local Coal Mines but no luck . They prefer 21 year old workers over 52 year old workers . Good luck with your new Rifle , have you tried Trail Boss . It works real good for a smokeless load .

[Dirty Brass]

Rowdy it is good to see you are still actively engaged in vintage hunting. It's been awhile since I've stopped in here - but I still shoot my BP rifles now and then. I'm planning on using either the 1866 or the 1873 in 44-40 for a day or two this season for deer. I've set aside the 45/75 and 45/60 for now - but just temporary I assure you.

Best of luck during your week of camping and hunting!

[cpt dan blodgett]

Have not tried TB, I have a bunch of Nitro 100, AA2, AA5, AA7, and 2400 around the house.  Given the data that I can find the only way I will be able to get to original 44-40 velocities is using holy black.  I have schuetzen 2F and 3F and Olde Eynsford 1.5 and 2F

Reading through a lot of stuff on the CAS City Forums sounds like the best bet for fouling will be the OE vs Schuetzen.  I am basically too cheap to come of the dime for swiss and the OE seems to be within a gnats behind of the quality of the swiss.

Don't know if I will ever hunt with the 44-40 because it is really hard to get drawn for a hunt here in AZ.  Having said that there is some discussion of a Hog hunt in conjunction with the SASS Convention in San Antonio 7-11 Jan or there abouts.  There will then be the 73 44-40, 92 44 mag (carbine and rifle), 94 32 WS (dads rifle and sentimental favorite) 95 30-06 conundrum.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

cpt dan
I have my ammo ready for hunting . I have a box from last year loaded with Swiss , and a box loaded with Triple 7 .When I get sit up at camp Friday will see which one  performs the best .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
The 44wcf did an Excellent job on a very big Buck . This is the largest Buck I have ever killed . The State Biologist aged it at 4 1/2 years old . It has a inside spread of 20 1/2 inches . This is a 10 pointer . Will post pictures later .

[Coal Creek Griff]

Congratulations, Rowdy!  I'm looking forward to the photos.

CC Griff

[dusty texian]

Congratulations Rowdy ! That is great news! Look forward to seeing some pics. Nothing like Traditional Hunting!,,,DT

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Here is the pictures .

[Cliff Fendley]

Really nice Rowdy. Congrats.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Wow!  NICE!

CC Griff

[King Medallion]

That's a dandy!

[dusty texian]

Great job Rowdy! That is a Top end buck! ,,,,,,DT

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I was holding the barrel of my rifle against the rack so you can get an idea of it's width .

[Dirty Brass]

That there is one dandy buck Rowdy. Can you give some specifics such as range, weather, hunting method, etc. ? I'd love to hear more about the hunt.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

DB
He was at 65 yards standing broadsided . The 44wcf took out both lungs and he was down in 20 yards . I fired 1 shot and it hit the right spot . The weather was nice temp was mid 30's and I was hunting from a stand about 15 foot high .

[cpt dan blodgett]

Fantastic Buck.  So much for 44-40 not being enough gun for deer!!  Actually shot placement and a realistic appraisal of capabilities of rifle, round and the man behind the rifle all lead to a humane kill and some good eats.

Congrats, even though I have a slightly green hue