The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 1873 Winchester .38/40 . . . Shoot it or not?

Wleoff · December 20, 2008, 08:22 PM

I've got a 1873 made in 1896 in 38-40 with 24" barrel. I bought it about fifteen years ago from a gentleman who had it in his family since new. Just use the loads in the reloading handbooks for a Colt single action pistol. I use Starline brass and 180 grain Mid-Kansas lead bullets with 5.0 grains of Titegroup. Mine is really accurate, but the trigger is only about 2 pounds. Make sure that the barrel is real clean before you shoot it. A while back, I found one of these old guns that had been in a barn for a while and had a dirtdobber's nest in the barrel.

December 20, 2008, 08:22 PM	#6
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	I've got a 1873 made in 1896 in 38-40 with 24" barrel. I bought it about fifteen years ago from a gentleman who had it in his family since new. Just use the loads in the reloading handbooks for a Colt single action pistol. I use Starline brass and 180 grain Mid-Kansas lead bullets with 5.0 grains of Titegroup. Mine is really accurate, but the trigger is only about 2 pounds. Make sure that the barrel is real clean before you shoot it. A while back, I found one of these old guns that had been in a barn for a while and had a dirtdobber's nest in the barrel.