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Hi guys, I'm very new to black powder cartridge shooting and I recently acquired an old winchester lever in .44-40. When looking to reload, what is a good starter powder and where's the best place to get lead for those? I understand that things might be hard to find right now, but any advice would be appreciated! Charles F. Bartlett | ||
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I shoot FFFg and IMR 4198. 40% of the original black powder load in 4198 equals original pressures and ballistics. Lead? Are you looking for lead bullets or do yo cast? If you cast I have a ton of lead in one pound ingots: about half soft lead and half in wheel weights. I may have bullets and brass but will have to look. Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Interesting. I'll have to look at smokeless powder then. As far as bullets, I'd be looking at lead right now, but buying them as I don't have the molds or any of the other equipment. If you'd have brass, I'd be interested in looking at it. Charles F. Bartlett | |||
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Before you go too far down the smokeless road, is your Winchester an 1873 or an 1894. There is a significant strength difference between the two. In an 1873, and assuming it is in good condition, I would stick to light smokeless loads if you choose not to go the black powder route. I shoot a lot of black powder and don't find cleaning to be any big deal, as long as you do it the same day as you were shooting. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx | |||
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Its an 1873 Winchester. What black powder do you use? Charles F. Bartlett | |||
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CFB: PM me your phone or email. I have a fair amount of bullets and brass for the 44-40. I am planning to take themn to a gun show this weekend. Your 1873 is not as strong as the model 1892 (not the 1894--that was a typo above)but it is easy to load smokeless to black powder energy ande pressure levels by the formula I noted above. If I hear from you I will make a count of exactly what I have. Cal PS. Also brass and bullets is readily available--search the net. _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Cal, thanks for catching the typo. That is what I get for answering posts too late at night! In pistol cartridges I would use FFg or FFFg black powder. Make sure to use a bullet lube formulated for black powder cartridges. I use SPG for my bullets with excellent results. I personally stay away from the black powder substitutes. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx | |||
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