Chiappa .44 WCF M1892 rifle at the range

[ndnchf]

I took my .44 WCF Chiappa M1892 to the range today and made a brief video of the fun.

[Abilene]

Nice rifle.  I've handled a lot of Chiappas and the fit and finish (on the '92's) is usually pretty good.  Action is often kind of crunchy.  I particularly like that the no-safety design is like originals.  They are certainly more pricey than Rossis.  If I find a good deal on a .44wcf takedown I want one.  The only used one I ran across was a little too high for me.  I think it would be cool for taking to matches on a motorcycle (assuming I ever get another - it's been 20 years), although a rifle in a scabbard would be okay, too. 

[Slamfire]

 Thank you for your time and video, makes me enjoy my Rossi 44-40x 24" that much more (It's just a great caliber).

coffee's ready,  Hootmix.

[Abilene]

A friend of mine used to shoot an original .44 '92 in matches, but an overloaded smokeless round bulged his chamber.  However, a gunsmith was able to sleeve the chamber to fix it.

[King Medallion]

I really like my Rossi 92 carbine and my 73 carbine (uberti), both in 44-40, got a Uberti 66 rifle in 44-40 too. Concerning your Rx7 load, your shooting that in the old BP 73, would you consider that load to be safe to shoot in SAA?

[ndnchf]

I really like my Rossi 92 carbine and my 73 carbine (uberti), both in 44-40, got a Uberti 66 rifle in 44-40 too. Concerning your Rx7 load, your shooting that in the old BP 73, would you consider that load to be safe to shoot in SAA?

I'm no expert, but from John Kort's pressure testing, the 26.5gr Reloader 7 load is closely equivalent to the original black powder load - so it should be ok.  But, keep in mind that Reloader 7 is a rifle powder. The burn rate would be a a bit slow for an SAA.  A lot of John's research is captured on this site.  It is well working checking out.

https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/chasing-the-44-40

[Black River Smith]

ndnchf,

Steve, in your video you state you use the Lyman 42798 bullet.  I have some questions or just one main one.  Could you please describe, how you load you bullets so as not to have 'bullet set-back' in the magazine?  I have discussed this with other members in PM's but I am interested in hearing others opinions or experience.

Most say crimp on the forward ring resulting in a longer OAL for the 44/40 that will still work in the 1892 action.  Some say use the Lee factory crimp die but I still experienced some length change when doing that.

What do you actually do to achieve a safe functioning round?

Thanks,  BRS

[ndnchf]

Its very simple. The 26.5gr of Reloader 7 powder load I mentioned is a full case of powder. It fully supports the bullet so it cannot set back. I do use a Redding profile crimp die to ensure smooth feeding.

IMHO, RL7 is the perfect smokeless powder for .44wcf rifles. 26.5gr provides velocity and pressures that very closely match the original 1870s era black powder cartridges.

The 425098 and 427098 bullet is a very close copy of the original Winchester factory bullet. They put a lot of research and testing to develop that bullet. It is very accurate.

Here is a 100 yard target I shot with the Chiappa m1892, 427098 bullet and a black powder/RL7 duplex load. It shoots better than my aging eyes can see.

[Bryan Austin]

A friend of mine used to shoot an original .44 '92 in matches, but an overloaded smokeless round bulged his chamber.  However, a gunsmith was able to sleeve the chamber to fix it.

I bet it was a squib or one hell of an overload.

[Abilene]

I bet it was a squib or one hell of an overload.

Could be.  I'm not sure if he actually knew when it happened.  He had it at a match and was unable to eject fired brass because it was bulged.