long tall texan Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 My other primary rifle for SASS is a Colt Lightning .38-40, and the bullets that feed reliably are 145 grains. I don't want the feel of the recoil to be TOO much different in the 1873 .44-40 I'm getting. How light can I go and still be good at the "distant" targets? Most of the time I shoot APP in the rifle, only shoot smokeless when I know I won't have time to clean after a match.
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I should have some 165 grainers soon to try out and I will tell you then.
SlicLee SASS #16638 Life Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 My other primary rifle for SASS is a Colt Lightning .38-40, and the bullets that feed reliably are 145 grains. I don't want the feel of the recoil to be TOO much different in the 1873 .44-40 I'm getting. How light can I go and still be good at the "distant" targets? Most of the time I shoot APP in the rifle, only shoot smokeless when I know I won't have time to clean after a match.
SlicLee SASS #16638 Life Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I used a 165 grain 15 BH .430 out to 200 yds was as good as 10 yds. I tried them after using 200 grain, then 180 they needed more powder so I went back to 180, there is no recoil at all.
Rye Miles #13621 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I see no problem at all with the 200 gr. .44 bullet. It's got a mild recoil and it's accuracy is better than I can shoot. I wouldn't go any lighter than 200 grs. for the .44-40. I think the original cartridge was 225 gr. if Im not mistaken. Rye
Mike Fink, SASS #29047 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Howdy Tall One: Long time no see. Hope you're doing well. Your new '73 should be about 2 lbs. heavier than your Lightning. You shouldn't be able to tell the difference in recoil between the two if you use the same powder charge and a 200 grain bullet in the '73. Regards, Mike Fink I know, I know, the math says 186. Don't tell him. He'll never know the difference.
Buffalo Dick, SASS #12880 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I can't answer your question, I've only used 200gr bullets in my .44/40 '73 border rifle. I pretty much use this rifle only for black powder and I load a full case with no filler. I think you will find that recoil will not be an issue with the 200gr bullet, especially using APP, which is on the lower end of the power level range amongst bp and subs. I would suggest at least trying the 200gr bullet for which this cartridge was originally designed before deciding that you need a lighter bullet. BTW, the term "distant" targets is pretty vague, but heavier bullets usually do better at long range.
Dick Dastardly SASS #45219 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 You can load round balls. That would be about as light as you can get. DD-DLoS
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Howdy I concur that you probably will not feel much difference in recoil with a 200 grain bullet. No matter what the configuration is of your new '73, it is bound to weigh more than your Lightning. The '73 frame is pretty heavy. Felt recoil is less with a heavier rifle. I shoot nothing but 200 grains bullets in my 44-40 rifles, from a really heavy Henry to a very light weight 92 carbine. I'll bet the weight of the carbine is pretty similar to your Lightning. Even when shooting the 92 carbine I don't even notice the recoil with a 200 grain bullet.
Fairshake Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Rye, The original 44-40 bullets were 200 grain bullets. Winchester brought out a 217 grain bullet but it did not stay in production long. The Lyman 427098 bullet mold is a dead on copy of the original. I had Accurate molds modify the design by opening up the lube grooves to up the load of lube for my full house warthog loads. The bullets drop out at 210 and work very well. Not a "GAMERS" bullet by no means but a great one for those who shoot the 44-40 the same as 1873 shooters did.
Rye Miles #13621 Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Rye, The original 44-40 bullets were 200 grain bullets. Winchester brought out a 217 grain bullet but it did not stay in production long. The Lyman 427098 bullet mold is a dead on copy of the original. I had Accurate molds modify the design by opening up the lube grooves to up the load of lube for my full house warthog loads. The bullets drop out at 210 and work very well. Not a "GAMERS" bullet by no means but a great one for those who shoot the 44-40 the same as 1873 shooters did. Thanks Fairshake, now I know I'm historically correct!
Mustang Gregg Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Depends on twist rate & bullet/groove diameter fit. We shoot them 200 gr bullets in all of our .44's with fine results. MG
long tall texan Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 Howdy Tall One: Long time no see. Hope you're doing well. Your new '73 should be about 2 lbs. heavier than your Lightning. You shouldn't be able to tell the difference in recoil between the two if you use the same powder charge and a 200 grain bullet in the '73. Regards, Mike Fink I know, I know, the math says 186. Don't tell him. He'll never know the difference.
long tall texan Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 Okay, well I tried to quote that so as to answer Mike Fink, but I don't know how to work this durned new system yet. Anyway, you're right. I never thought about the weight of the rifle. You're also right about the math, since I have no idea how to go about figuring that out. See you at the Pennsylvania State Match again this year?
long tall texan Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 Thanks to everybody for your answers and your interest. I'm looking forward to a little warmer weather and trying it out.
Iron Pony Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Hey LTT, there is a 165 grain 44 bullet in the biglube line that Springfield Slim is making, contact him at Whyte Leatherworks. I'm going to give it a try for use with the 44Specs here before too long for a little recoil reduction in the handguns. With the reduced case capacity of the 44Spec versus the 44-40 I hope to be able to use the good old Mav D 200 grain but this may be a little more forgiving. I have no plans on loading it in the rifle as the 73s shoot the 200 grain real well and the weight of the rifle negates the recoil of even heavy duty warthog loads. Remeber to duck when you go up for whatever category you win at the PA states this year, hate to see you thump you noggin on that "low" overhang.
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 I am loading a 165gr bullet over a reduced load of APP and since the APP is not lube sensitive, I just use smokeless lubed bullets when unlubed are not available. My average groups, at ten yards, usually run just under four foot, not bad fer an old flincher who shoots with his eyes closed!
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