Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

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KirkD
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Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by KirkD »

Gentlemen, several months ago I bought an original Winchester Model 1892 made in 1913, chambered in 44 W.C.F. (44-40) to use as a shooter and a hunter. My 62 year-old eyes need a tang sight, so I managed to find an original Lyman tang sight and it arrived today. I opened the box, installed it on my '92, and headed off to the range forwith to test two different loads.

Photo of my Winchester 1892 44-40 shipped in 1913:
Image

First Load:
20 grains of 5744 under a 200 grain cast bullet (Accurate Moulds, gas check) sized to .429"
Velocity: 1,329 fps

Second Load:
18 grains of 5744 under a 200 grain cast bullet (Accurate Moulds, gas check) sized to .431
Velocity: 1,296 fps
A .431" diameter cast bullet is a snug fit for the final 1/8" of chambering.

Results:
Load #1: five-shot group at 100 yards = 1 7/8"
Load #2: five-shot group at 100 yards = 1 3/4"

Photos of Targets:

Load #1 ...
Image

Load #2 ...
Image
Last edited by KirkD on Mon May 29, 2017 9:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Pete44ru »

.

I'm impressed, Kirk - You've done well ! :)

.
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by EdinCT »

Nice shooting Kirk, I would say that old girl is ready to hunt!
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by crs »

The deer are in trouble this fall! Nice rifle and good shooting.
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Chuck 100 yd »

Neat ! :mrgreen:
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Pitchy »

Very nice shootin Kirk and beautiful rifle. 8)
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by ollogger »

Dang Kirk That's some mighty fine shooting with that old Winchester!!




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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by AJMD429 »

How many 114 year old complex machines of any type actually still work....?

Of those, how many are such beautiful works of art....?

And finally, how many beautiful 114 year old machines that work can do something practical, like put deer meat on the table...!
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Old Savage »

AJ, before you get too excited ... it is only 104 years old.

Great shooting there!
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Old Savage »

But perhaps, Kirk has one of these :-)
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by KirkD »

Old Savage wrote: Mon May 29, 2017 8:42 pm AJ, before you get too excited ... it is only 104 years old.

Great shooting there!
By gum, you are right. I can't even subtract!!! It is 104 years old. :oops:
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by JerryB »

Kirk, I have no doubts that you can still make a fine 1892 dance on her toes. I still say a Winchester model 1892 rifle is a piece of art to look upon, long and slender just sleek looking.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by RIHMFIRE »

that's a mighty fine shooter
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by claybob86 »

You sure know how to pick 'em, Kirk! Thanks for the post! :D
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Re: Range Report-114 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by gamekeeper »

EdinCT wrote: Mon May 29, 2017 6:47 pm Nice shooting Kirk, I would say that old girl is ready to hunt!
Plus one...... 8)
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Nath »

Grand stuff Kirk.
How does the old girl shoot off hand?
Have you had a plink?

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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by KirkD »

Glad you men like how this old-timer shoots.

Nath: I've not shot offhand with it yet - yesterday was just to try different loads and with my new tang sight. But, want to try this rifle at 200 yards resting on my shooting bag, and then it is offhand shooting, which is the real practice for hunting. That is my favourite kind of shooting.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Wonderful rifle Kirk. Way to get it back in harness. I'd hate to be a whitetail in your neck of the Ontario woods.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by M. M. Wright »

You have done well Grasshopper!
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Ben_Rumson »

:mrgreen:
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Aussie Chris »

Great range report Kirk. Beautiful '92 and nice wall mount too. Wish we could mount them on walls here in Australia :x

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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by AJMD429 »

Aussie Chris wrote: Tue May 30, 2017 6:39 pmWish we could mount them on walls here in Australia...
:roll: :evil:
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by 44shooter »

That's a pretty rifle. Shoots great too. The 1892 is my favorite Winchester lever gun. It's in my top three of Browning designs.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Griff »

Well done Kirk. You've got all day to get that old gal out and post a target in this month's "Challenge".
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by missionary5155 »

Good morning
That is a good one ! Looks like several owners over the years took care of that 44 WCF. It is a blessing to see that fine old rifle out in the air again.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by KirkD »

Griff wrote: Wed May 31, 2017 4:08 am Well done Kirk. You've got all day to get that old gal out and post a target in this month's "Challenge".
Griff, I didn't know about this. I can't make it to the range until next week, so I'll have to keep an eye out for the next challenge.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Sixgun »

How did I miss this post?

Kirk....44-40's that are accurate are MUCH harder to find than 38-40's that shoot that good. It's a long story but most 38's are accurate while 44's are only so-so. In owning probably 20 of these rifles in both calibers over the years I have had two 44-40's that were tackdrivers like yours, an 1873 and a Marlin 1894 that has a .425 groove diameter with a perfect bore. All of the rest have been OK, but nothing to write home about...3-4" at 100, some 12 inchers. Never did I own an 1892 that shot as good as yours. About 6 months ago I snagged a like new 1892 oct. that was made in 1912 and no matter what I tried, the best it would do was 3"......at 50 yards. Sold it.

On the opposite side of the fence, I have never owner a terribly inaccurate 38-40 with one 1873, made in 1885 being a near moa gun. But in all fairness, that gun is not much different than new. (That gun is coming with me to the Regional Silhouette Championship next month)

You know, I don't think your that far from upstate Pa...McKean Cty. Rifle Club is only a few miles from Bradford, Pa. We have other people who regularly shoot at this club who are from Canada. Come on down! We 1954 babies are not getting any younger. Look at the map, either Ridgway, Pa. (Ridgeway Rifle Club.Com. or something like that) or McKean County Rifle Club...or something like that. :D

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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Carlsen Highway »

That is a beautiful rifle. I would like to see more photos of it.
I sorely wish I could find something like it, and then wish I could somehow afford it. Your loads and your shooting are admireable.
(Your post hits me where it hurts because I have spent the last three weeks trying to get a brand new Uberti 73 in .44-40 to shoot better than a 4 inch group at 100 yards with black powder. To shoot a group like you have is a dream only at this stage.)
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by KirkD »

Sixgun wrote: Wed May 31, 2017 3:08 pm In owning probably 20 of these rifles in both calibers over the years I have had two 44-40's that were tackdrivers like yours,

You know, I don't think your that far from upstate Pa...McKean Cty. Rifle Club is only a few miles from Bradford, Pa. We have other people who regularly shoot at this club who are from Canada. Come on down! We 1954 babies are not getting any younger. Look at the map, either Ridgway, Pa. (Ridgeway Rifle Club.Com. or something like that) or McKean County Rifle Club...or something like that. :D
Sixgun, that is good to know. It makes me very satisfied with this rifle.

I have often thought about that Ridgeway shoot. It's only a few hours drive from here. My summer this year is already ridiculously jammed, but the last of the kids gets married off and leave home this summer. I anticipate a slower pace of life beginning January 1st.
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by OldWin »

Beautiful 92, Kirk. It is my favorite Winchester by far.
I agree with, and have had the same experience as Six, when comparing the 38 and 44wcf.
I have my own theory as to why this is. I believe it is tooling related from barrel manufacture. Because SO many more 44s were made than 38s, there is a better chance of getting barrels at one end of the tool wear tolerance or the other. In effect, this causes much more varience in groove diameter and depth of rifling. There are barrels close to nominal, but because of the numbers they are proportionally fewer than in 38. Tooling costs were higher for the 44, and changing tools causes a partial setup, so they ran them longer.
But im probably full of it. :D
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by Sixgun »

Old Win....that's the same story I was told and it makes sense. Thanks for saving me all that typing. :D ---6
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Re: Range Report-104 year old Winchester 44-40

Post by OldWin »

Sixgun wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2017 3:06 pm Old Win....that's the same story I was told and it makes sense. Thanks for saving me all that typing. :D ---6
Glad I could help, old buddy. :D
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