44 Winchester "One Of One Thousand" Postal Match Targets

[Bryan Austin]

Since I have nothing better to do, I have decided to play with a new hobby.....no, I do not have that special rifle......just came up with a fun name for some 44-40 postal match targets.

The Stuart Brother's 500 yard Winchester 73' 1 of 1,000 rifle targets from 1876 got me to thinking what could I do for something a little different. Original Targets can be seen here: https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/targets

To be fun, I decided to make the targets smaller for 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards, and add some larger targets for longer distances later on.

Scoring is simple:

2" Bullseye = 5 points
4" Center ring = 4 points
6" Inner ring = 3 points
the outer portion = 0 points

Example target:

This target used at any range, at or less than 100 yards
Add any cheat notes you need, lets prove the cartridge, not the shooter's skills.

My 25, 50 and 100 target has crosshair cheat mark for 100 yards, zero bullseye set for 50 yards, and no cheat marks YET for 25 yards.....I use a 6x scope...most everyone else used open sights or peep sights.
10 shot groups, ALL FLIERS ARE COUNTED !!!

Note range used
Score each shot (1 thru 10) as fired, and score appropriately. no more then ten shots, and no less than ten shots. Misfires will be ignored...get another shot to make it ten!
Note any other items such as temps, winds, humidity etc.

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The target:
I have added a PNG file to my google docs for downloads here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/101a1hg ... sp=sharing

Download to computer
Open file to paint app (the little blue oil paint board icon)
make whatever mods you want
SAVE AS PNG file

select PRINT/Page Set-Up
select portrait
reset all four margins to 0.166 and save (this is absolute in order to print each little square as 1/4")
select alignment to center for horizontal and vertical

PRINT - check to make sure that each little square is 1/4"...if not...something did not resize correctly in the process.

If anyone wants targets, I can print and send you some for the cost of postage...BUT trying to copy a sheet on a printer will distort the measurements and they will not be scaled accurate. I am computer-stupid so this is all I know how to do.

Stuart Brothers, 1876 500 yard targets

Thomas-vs-Granville-Stuart.jpg

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Thanks for the link Bryan.

Neat thing to do in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I don't have a 44-40 in an 1873 or any other rifle, but hope you get some interested parties that post their targets.

Wondering about the 2 misses on the T Stuart target? The rest of the shots sure were centered.

[Bryan Austin]

Wondering about the 2 misses on the T Stuart target? The rest of the shots sure were centered.

I thought I saw somewhere that they were two misfires...and he was the better shot

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

I guess they didn't have alibi's those days for rounds that don't fire. Is that what you meant by a misfire, a round that never went off?

And really that would not be unusual to not allow alibi's, as there are matches that don't allow a refire for a squib or dud, I'm just thinking of the last match shooting I did, which will allow an alibi in some cases as well as allow a spare cartridge or several if one doesn't fire as long as the match is timed and the shooter is within the time limit.

[Bryan Austin]

I guess they didn't have alibi's those days for rounds that don't fire. Is that what you meant by a misfire, a round that never went off?

And really that would not be unusual to not allow alibi's, as there are matches that don't allow a refire for a squib or dud, I'm just thinking of the last match shooting I did, which will allow an alibi in some cases as well as allow a spare cartridge or several if one doesn't fire as long as the match is timed and the shooter is within the time limit.

My understanding is that they had 15 cartridges, if one or more mis-fired (failed to go boom), then it/they were counted as a mis.

[High Desert Hunter]

Spot on at 1/4" per square. I don't have a 44-40, but I am going to try it with my Marlin 1894 in 44.

[Shasta]

I'm a little confused (and that's easy to do). Is the target shot offhand or off the bench?

Shasta

[Bryan Austin]

I'm a little confused (and that's easy to do). Is the target shot offhand or off the bench?

Shasta

Whatever tickles your fancy....you are your own competitor! However, that is something that can be added to the notes section...anything to remind you in the future of what you did.

My results when using this target will be posted here: https://sites.google.com/view/44winches ... on-targets

[Bill in Oregon]

Thanks Bryan. Downloaded. Have to get out to the range with the 73!

[Griff]

Hmmm... I wonder which would be more in keeping with the spirit of the match, vs. strict adherence to its parameter: using my AWA Lightning rifle in .44-40; or, using my Uberti 1873 Sporting Rifle in 45 Colt?

[Bryan Austin]

Hmmm... I wonder which would be more in keeping with the spirit of the match, vs. strict adherence to its parameter: using my AWA Lightning rifle in .44-40; or, using my Uberti 1873 Sporting Rifle in 45 Colt?

LOL, 44-40 vs everything else....it's like...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsmJdqKYJVg

[Bryan Austin]

Well I was not expecting this at only 50 yards this morning. Nothing abnormal about anything but the groups. I stopped at shot #6, came home and cleaned the barrel. Maybe next time!!!

44-40 (of course)
and my typical load

1st shot was high left, I can eat that one....but then shots 5 & 6 went far low left....yuck!

win some lose some!!!

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