Vintage Hunting with the 1873

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Dusty
I seen a REAL nice Buck during Muzzle Loader season . I watched him in the thick brush never had a shot . And he was a little far for my ole smoke pole . That ole round ball rifle has take 20 + Deer , lots of good eating over the years . Hope all the Deer in Texas didn't drown after that big turd floatin rain yawl got .

[M113A3]

Howdy
Got a chance to shoot the other day . I was shooting my Vintage Hunting Ammo . The 44wcf is an Excellent shooter . The 200 grain bullet traveling at 1300 fps does a great job .

At what range did you get this group?  Can you tell me more about this vintage hunting ammo.

Thanks

[Rowdy Fulcher]

M113A3
I think the distance was about 50 yards . I use starline Brass and Triple 7 powder and a 200 gr. bullet ( .430 ) I wanted a round that was shooting at the same velocities as the original round .I have a 1875 Winchester catalog and it list the 44wcf at 1325 fps . If you use Triple 7 do not use 3f it is HOT .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
It's almost Deer season .Who's ready , got a chance to shoot a few rounds today . Hope everyone a safe and fun filled hunting season . Don't forget to take pictures . Remember a pictures worth a thousand words .

[Oregon Bill]

Beautiful whitetail there, Rowdy.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I hunted for 8 days . I had to work to get this one . The weather was rainy and the creek flooded . I camped and had a Great time .

[King Medallion]

Nice buck, Rowdy, well done!

[Rowdy Fulcher]

King
Thanks for the kind words

[Oregon Bill]

Rowdy, that's a buck to be extra proud of, taken with your 73. Congratulations!

[dusty texian]

Congratulations Rowdy ! A fine buck taken the old way. Cant get any better than that my friend! ,,,DT

[El Tio Loco]

Congrats Rowdy!  Good looking buck.  I hear you can eat right up to the bullet hole with those slow moving bullets.  A nice finish to your hunt.
Ken

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Thanks everyone . There is only a few of us who realize how good of cartridge the 44wcf is . But what sold me on the 44wcf was last year . The Buck I shot was down in 20 yards and when I field dressed it the lungs were like 2 big blood clots . That was impressive . A lead bullet traveling at 1300 fps did that much damage .

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

 Very proud of you Mr. Fulcher.

It's amazing how hunters have "progressed" to the point that they think they need gigantic cartridges to kill a deer. All it STILL takes to kill a deer are holes through both lungs. It really is that simple.

I've been hunting this year with a Bisley repro in 45 Colt. I'm absolutely determined to get a buck with it. Here at the house I've had a couple of opportunities at bucks that weren't legal, and have passed three times on does, all within my 50 yd. range limit. The last time just this evening. We're coming out of a horrible drought and I just can't bring myself to shoot a doe until populations increase.

  I've come into possession of a couple of '73's in 38-40 that are 1880's vintage. One I intend to have the barrel relined then it will become my one of my deer rifles. I chronographed some 180 gr. bullets over a compressed charge of Pyrodex P a few days ago and was stunned that five shots averaged 1386 fps. That ought to work just fine!

[Rowdy Fulcher]

CHT
Thanks , we all love our 73's . And these weapons work fine . I love shooting my rifle and try to shoot at least once a week . I have hunted Deer for a long time . Killed my first Buck back in 79 . He was a 6 pointer and I was Proud of him .

[w44wcf]

Rowdy,
Nice harvest! Congratulations! Your persistence paid off in another beautiful buck!
I read where the cartridge you used was loaded with 777 and a 200 gr bullet.

A few questions if you don't mind.....
How did it compare in size to your buck last year?
Whose bullet did you use?
Hardness if known?
Penetration?

Thank you,
w44wcf

[Rowdy Fulcher]

W44wcf
This years Buck was a 1 1/2 year old , last years Buck was a 4 1/2  . He was a nice Buck but no Monster Buck . I use a Valiant Bullet that I use when Cowboy shooting . The Triple 7 doesn't need black powder lubed bullets . The bullet passed through both Deer and I am happy with it's performance on both Deer . Plan on going after another  Buck next year with my 73 .

[w44wcf]

Rowdy,
Thank you for the information. Nice harvests!

If you would like some soft 427098's to use next year, let me know.
I'll be molding bullets probably Feb or Mar.

w44wcf

[Rowdy Fulcher]

W44wcf
Yes I would . I would love some soft lead bullets . Also where is a good source for sling swivels . I have used muzzle loader slings but would rather have a set of swivels on the rifle .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Do we have any Coyote hunters among us . When the Deer hunting is over I love to hunt Coyotes . What is your favorite Coyote load for your 73 ?

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I made a butt stock cartridge slide to hold 10 rounds of ammo .   Will post pictures later hopefully with a coyote .