Paco Kelly's Leverguns.com

OldWin

EdinCt

Very true about placement. I have an old gunsmith friend who told me when I was working up cast loads, "don't worry too much about the speed, look for accuracy and practice until you can put them where you want.''

OldWin

Very true. That is the most enjoyment I get from my old guns, getting them to perform better than people think they are capable.

OldWin

Sixgun made an excellent point. I use these old manuals all the time, especially 20 years ago before these old cartridges came back in style. He is also right in the fact that there are some EXTREMELY hot loads so use caution.

OldWin

It's funny you talk about cutting these rifle down as a trend. Almost 20 years ago I got a hankerin for a trapper as we hunt a lot of thick woods. I have a gunsmith friend and we built one on an early factory rebarreled 94 in 32WS. It came out great and looks authentic. Velocity dropped from just sh...

OldWin

Beautiful flattop! You'll think of something to do with the low wall once the sting goes away. I have a corner I reserve for these guns down in my gunroom. There is a 73 32-20 there now that looks no better than your low wall.

OldWin

I have one of these rifles in 38-40 and it shoots extremely well. I've only ever shot Lyman's old 401043 over 8-9 grains of Unique but I would have no reservations about shooting a deer with this rifle-load combination.

OldWin

This was taken at camp November 09. I'm holding a 1/2 magazine 94SRC in 38-55. I could certainly hunt country with more deer but I've decided I like the quiet and lack of people better. I've taken good bucks, but very few of them.

OldWin

jlchucker, You're right, thats a good pic! I prefer this hunting style myself. We have a camp in a fairly remote area. I don't own an ATV, just a jeep. I wear wool, hunt with my old Winchesters in these old calibers, and seldom use a stand. Haha! I even carry the coil of rope in my pocket! The time ...

OldWin

I think thats very true about the rifles being handed down. Also people tended to buy what works for others they know. Haha! thats true about the ammo, I remember it well. I've noticed this same trend with the 38-55 in this locality.

OldWin

AJMD429 That is EXACTLY what was happening. It might have been ok but not in my world. Hammer hooks were too short/worn. I do the same things you describe. It pays off, especially with a semi-auto. I had a new G.I. TRW hammer but didn't want to use my spare if I didn't have to. Springfield's service...

OldWin

I don't have any handgun experience with it but have 7 rifles. Winchester 92's, 73's in rifle and carbine and a Marlin 89 rifle. All the books say this cartridge wasn't very popular. If I recall Madis said it was 1:10 with the 44WCF. That doesn't seem to hold true here in Maine as for me they are wa...

OldWin

Trust me guy's, I love both cartridges and have taken deer and all sorts of varmints with both. From 24, 20, and 16 inch barrels. These are extremely effective and well balanced cartridges in my opinion. The only change I've made is to W748 for 30-30 while sticking with IMR3031 for 32WS. I really ho...

OldWin

I agree with C Cash about the bore diameter in relation to pressure. The slower twist rate may help too but I'm not sure. All I know for sure is if you look in a Lyman manual that lists pressure for each load and compare the same charge of IMR3031 between 30-30 and 32WS the 32 is considerably lower.

OldWin

Ajmd429 Yes, sort of. I remove the mag, dry fire and hold back trigger. Then briskly cycle the op-rod. If the hammer follows the bolt this could result in a slam-fire out of battery. The hammer didn't follow but when slowly releasing it the hammer dropped. Hammer hooks were worn....Not a dumb questi...

OldWin

I know this is OT here but with all you hear of bad service these day's good should be heard too. I have a couple M1A's, an early 90's standard and a 2001 vintage scout rifle. I shoot them quite a bit and the scout sees a lot of field use. when I was done with it this fall I cleaned and greased it a...

OldWin

Around here it tends to be whatever one a person started using first they prefer. I started with a 30-30 and it was many years before I got a 32WS. I have several of each now and kind of prefer 32. In my guns it always seems to be a little more accurate. It definitely manages the pressure of IMR3031...

OldWin

This is probably my favorite levergun cartridge. I have a much easier time getting accuracy from it than 44-40. It may be just my experience but I have several guns in each caliber and find the 38's have more consistent barrels and chambers. I like 8.0 grains of Unique behind the old Lyman 401043 bu...

OldWin

Many thanks to all! You're a great bunch.
OldWin

OldWin

I have one made in '48 also. I've owned it for 16 or 17 years but never fired it until 2 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy as I'd heard it would be mediocre. I can't recall exactly what the group was but it was around 1.5-2.0 at 100yds. Mine has a 56 Lyman on it. I always said ...

OldWin

Happy Birthday guys!

OldWin

I shot a moose with my 71 last year at about 75 yards with Hornady 200gr. FP's. It worked very well but with a broad side shot I could see a huge cloud of mist out the back side. Next time I would try my 86 with a load like Sixgun suggested.

OldWin

Good for you and your dad! I have several rifles in both 30-30 and 32WS. Shot deer with both and really have a soft spot for 32WS. Strangely, in both my Marlin's and Winchesters have always got slightly better accuracy out of 32WS.
Still hunting with my dad too and hope for many more years.

OldWin

Rifle is hands down 38-40. I've got a smile the whole time I'm shooting it. Followed closely by 38-55 and 44-40. A lot of .308 but that's an M1A thing.
Handgun is 45ACP, 45Colt, .22lr.

OldWin

Prayers sent for all concerned. You and your wife are the best kind of people. Get that lovely lady another bike as soon as you are able!

OldWin

It must be hard to find here, I've never even heard of it. I'll have to get some, my old winchesters need all the help they can get! Now someone just has to make something you can pour down a bad bore.
Thanks Mike!

OldWin

Congrats! That was an excellent shot. I find it impressive as I've never shot a deer beyond 70 yards.

OldWin

I was born here and never lived anywhere else. Until I see pictures like this it's easy to take for granted. It's changed a lot in the last 20 years but is still nice country.

OldWin

I like 1&4. A beautiful 86 by the way.

OldWin

I love stories like this. Here's to many more day's afield.

OldWin

Congrats Amanda! You can be proud of yourself.

OldWin

Hands down receiver mounted peeps are the most practical in my opinion.

OldWin

I have been there. Think always of your children and their future.

OldWin

Sorry for your loss. Prayers on the way

OldWin

Glad it was a safe trip and that you found your camera! I used to hunt to fill the freezer but now there isn't anyone home who really eats much deer meat (besides me) so I'm more selective. I've found I enjoy it just as much.

OldWin

Welcome to the forum. You will enjoy it here.

OldWin

I too use 240gr. XTP's but have never shot a deer with them. I have however shot two deer with 200gr. XTP's loaded in a 44-40. These bullets are awsome. Accurate and effective. Both deer dropped instantly.

OldWin

I have some for my M1A and yes it is very accurate but as a previous post said, think of it as FMJ

OldWin

Don't know how this came out.

OldWin

Mod 71,

Skowhegan. It snowed lightly all day yesterday at camp too but it's a higher elevation. It's not sticking on the road but is on bare ground.

OldWin

Sounds like an awesome trip! Old guns, snow, stuck jeep, and success. Doesn't get no better.

P.S.
I have a Rubicon so I know what it takes to stick one. Awesome!

OldWin

Went through there with the bike this summer, very pretty place. It's snowing hard at my house this morning!

OldWin

I have noticed this same thing the last few years with bead front sights. It dawned on me one day I didn't have the same trouble when shooting my M-1A. I try to use older carbines with a front sight block. I make a post front sight from old master lock keys and it greatly reduces the problem. Rifles...

OldWin

Welcome to the forum. What's yur taste in levers?

P.S. Mod 71 isn't kidding about the pics!

OldWin

Best of luck. Prayers on the way.

OldWin

I have a Browning 92 and a 16 inch 94 Winchester in 44 mag. I use a 240 Hornady XTP over 22.0gr. IMR4227. This load also shoots well in my S&W 6" 629 so I can use one load for all. I find this quite simple and very handy.

OldWin

As a lover of old guns a little wear doesn't bother me in the least. I find older guns with a little wear somehow look better than real minty examples and are way more useful. With a real minty older gun most of it's value is in it's condition and there is too much stress in taking these afield. I h...

OldWin

I am most certainly a hoarder and get sidetracked now and then but my main interest will always be old Winchester levers. It seems I can justify anything. I have guns I've owned for 20 years and never fired. I cast and handload and very much enjoy hunting with my old guns. I have casting and loading...

OldWin

I could be mistaken, but was the forend an inch shorter on short rifles as they were on trapper carbines? Also I think generally the sight slot is milled closer to the receiver.

OldWin

What gives me a chuckle is that when the 30wcf was introduced it was not marketed as another 100yd. brush gun. They already had plenty of those. It was touted as flat shooting for extended range over the 45-70etc. In Maine I see many of the early 1894's chambered in 38-55. This cartridge was highly ...

OldWin

Kirk, Interesting, I never knew this. The 86 I have now is a 45-90 but for years I had a 45-70 and only ever shot 405's. I would be curious about accuracy and sight regulation. I don't shoot the 86's much as I prefer the pistol cartridges. Just want to thank you for all the great info you have provi...

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