Range Report for old 44-40 carbine with photos

Win 38-55

Win 38-55

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I took my old Winchester Model 1892 saddle ring carbine 44-40 to the range yesterday. I wanted to try some R-P brass of which I only have five samples, and I wanted to try some free-standing, offhand shooting because the little carbine feels so good in my hands.


Results: The five R-P loads of 20 grains of 5744 under a soft cast Accurate Moulds GC soft cast bullet gave me a five-shot group of 1 & 3/4" group at 100 yards, resting on my shooting bag.


I then set up a target at 100 yards and took 10 shots in a free-standing, offhand position, shooting relatively quick to simulate shots taken while hunting (no resting elbow on the waist). Accuracy suffers, of course, but I still got all 10 shots on paper and 8 out of the 10 shots went into a 3 & 1/4" group. I aimed a little higher to compensate for the fact that the tang sight is sighted in elevation for 75 yards. The top left shot was the first shot and a called flyer, as was the lowest shot. It seems to be a law of nature that there will always be at least one flyer. I can't believe how easy it is to shoot this little 106-year-old 44-40 carbine. It is such a pleasure. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this old beater is a keeper!


I need to adjust the tang sight a little to the left in windage to center it up a bit. That is my next project. Photos of the carbine, along with the two targets are below.

44-40 closer.jpg

Free standing 44-40.jpg

Free standing 44-40 actual.jpg
 

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Awesome offhand shooting. How does eject brass does it fling them uncontrollably? My 92 in 25 20 is a pain to handle the spent brass I was wondering about the 44 40
 
porpoise said:
Awesome offhand shooting. How does eject brass does it fling them uncontrollably? My 92 in 25 20 is a pain to handle the spent brass I was wondering about the 44 40
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It may depend a bit upon the spring, but my 44-40 tosses the brass about a foot in the air, just high enough so I can catch the empty with my right hand as it comes down. I tilt the carbine very slightly to the right when I eject, so the empties land to the right, rather than on the carbine. This comes from years of shooting old Winchester lever guns.
 
Win 38-55 said:
It may depend a bit upon the spring, but my 44-40 tosses the brass about a foot in the air, just high enough so I can catch the empty with my right hand as it comes down. I tilt the carbine very slightly to the right when I eject, so the empties land to the right, rather than on the carbine. This comes from years of shooting old Winchester lever guns.
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Cool, mine throws the little cases over my head even when I lower the gun to lever it, and once hit me in the teeth which I resented. I’m thinking of finding a weaker spring other than that it’s great. In 44 40 I have a Winchester 94 and marlin 94 both of which politely drop brass where I want
 
Try some RE#7 in it.I have a original 92 and am using 24gr/win lrg pistol primer and Starline/Win brass.Groups .680" at 50 yards haven't tried it at 100 just yet but it de-caps grouse .Jet bullet 220gr GC.
 
Brutus said:
These lever gun posts kind of frustrating!
Which Winchester is next to buy??
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Well I can really help you with some excellent advice!! You need one of each model of lever gun, starting with the Henry, then the 1873, 1876, 1885, 1886, 1892, 1894, 1895, Model 53, 55, 64, 65. And you should get each model in a variety of calibers. The Henry might set you back a bit ... it's way out of my price range, so just start with the 1873.
 
Win 38-55 said:
Well I can really help you with some excellent advice!! You need one of each model of lever gun, starting with the Henry, then the 1873, 1876, 1885, 1886, 1892, 1894, 1895, Model 53, 55, 64, 65. And you should get each model in a variety of calibers. The Henry might set you back a bit ... it's way out of my price range, so just start with the 1873.
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I have somewhat start on lever guns:
-1956 made Model 94 carbine 30-30
-1920 made Model 1901 shotgun with shorter barrel
-half points for BLR in 222

I am torn between a 92 or a 94, both with a long barrel or a 7-30 Waters.
 
yes yes yes........ Please complete this thread with a Doe DEER hunt by lever!

beauty rifle, beauty little lookin case, looks cheap to run, whats the Velocity and capability on Whitetails, for example?
 
WhelanLad said:
yes yes yes........ Please complete this thread with a Doe DEER hunt by lever!

beauty rifle, beauty little lookin case, looks cheap to run, whats the Velocity and capability on Whitetails, for example?
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The velocity for this particular load of 20 grains of 5744 under a 200 grain soft cast bullet choreographed at an average velocity of around 1,325 fps out of my Model 1892 rifle, which has a longer barrel by 2". The last Whitetail I took was a doe with a pre-dressed weight of about 200 pounds, and I took it with a single shot with an original Winchester Model 1873 44-40 shipped in 1889. I used a lighter load for that one, which put the bullet out the barrel at just under 1,300 fps. The bullet when right through, side to side, through both lungs. The doe ran for about 7 seconds then keeled over. I've taken another slightly larger doe with an original Model 53 44-40, but for that one I used a stronger load which put eh 200 grain bullet out the barrel at around 1,450 fps. I cast my own bullets out of used clip-on wheel weights, so it is very cheap to shoot.
 
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