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Is there a source for these? Any new made ones to fit an original 66?
I want to shoot 44 Henry centerfire in my original carbine. I have a source for the brass cases.
I don’t want to modify my original gun.
any ideas??
May 2, 2009
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Not that I’m aware of.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 23, 2009
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I would just contact your local machinist or gunsmith and have them make you up one.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
November 2, 2009
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I don’t know of any new made breech bolts either. If you could find an original in usable condition, making a centerfire pin and sleeve for the bolt face, would be a fairly easy job for a machinist. If I might ask, what is your source for centerfire brass?
June 4, 2017
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[email protected] said
Is there a source for these? Any new made ones to fit an original 66?
I want to shoot 44 Henry centerfire in my original carbine. I have a source for the brass cases.
I don’t want to modify my original gun.
any ideas??
Winchester Bob sells 1866 pistons and strikers, they are listed on his web page at $50 each. I don’t know if they are in stock or what his order time is. I have used them and they worked.
To convert to center fire all you have to do is grind off the rim fire points and add a point on the threaded end of the piston. winchester bob,com T/R
October 17, 2020
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Hi. Just a question about the 44WCF. If the 1866 is converted to Centerfire will it shoot current 44-40 cowboy loads or os there a difference between the older 44WCF and current 44-40? Thanks for the help.
May 2, 2009
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The 66 will not feed 44-40 or the 44WCF. Its a longer cartridge.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
October 17, 2020
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1873man said
The 66 will not feed 44-40 or the 44WCF. Its a longer cartridge.Bob
Thanks 1873man. So the only cartridge you can use on the conversions is 44 Henry Centerfire? Is there anywhere to get this ammo?
May 2, 2009
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You might be able to make the brass from another shell. I’ve shot the 66 with a modified brass for rim fire using black powder.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
October 17, 2020
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1873man said
You might be able to make the brass from another shell. I’ve shot the 66 with a modified brass for rim fire using black powder.Bob
Thanks so much!
June 4, 2017
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Valonghunter said
1873man said
The 66 will not feed 44-40 or the 44WCF. Its a longer cartridge.
Bob
Thanks 1873man. So the only cartridge you can use on the conversions is 44 Henry Centerfire? Is there anywhere to get this ammo?
As far as I know the answer to your second question is no. You might be able to make something but it won’t be easy without a recipe and it will be high risk. T/R
September 19, 2014
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All, I wrote an article some years back on what centerfire cartridges, etc, would work in the modified 1866 SRC that I had on hand. Refer to the Spring 2015 issue, pages 48 and 49. (I can’t believe its been that long!) Add in that at one time Starline was making the .44 American #3 new brass, I THINK. An alternative is to cut down some .44 Russian brass. Note, please, the cartridges were tried in the chamber of MY model 1866. Whether this would be true of all others is a good question. Now, being a handloader and with a nod to T/R, loading with any powder other than black powder and the proper bullet, might be high adventure. But this could be a means to start and develop useable and safe loads. Tim
October 17, 2020
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tim tomlinson said
All, I wrote an article some years back on what centerfire cartridges, etc, would work in the modified 1866 SRC that I had on hand. Refer to the Spring 2015 issue, pages 48 and 49. (I can’t believe its been that long!) Add in that at one time Starline was making the .44 American #3 new brass, I THINK. An alternative is to cut down some .44 Russian brass. Note, please, the cartridges were tried in the chamber of MY model 1866. Whether this would be true of all others is a good question. Now, being a handloader and with a nod to T/R, loading with any powder other than black powder and the proper bullet, might be high adventure. But this could be a means to start and develop useable and safe loads. Tim
Thanks T/R and Tim. I’ll definitely go back and read the article. I saw Buffalo Arms had brass casings for 44 Henry Centerfire for R/D conversions. Does anyone know if these would work? I will definitely check to see if the casing fit the barrel.
May 2, 2009
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If you read the posts in the link I posted you saw where to get the mold from but if not here it is.
Bob
https://oldwestbulletmoulds.com/shop/ols/products/44-henry-flat-200gr-mould-and-crimp-die-set
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 31, 2009
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You can use cut down S&W 44 special cases if you convert the Henry or 66 to center fire.
September 11, 2008
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I have an 1866 musket that was converted to .44 Russian by the previous owner. In order not to change the chamber of the original barrel and the breech bolt, he had made a second barrel and breech bolt. The weapon was then officially proofed with nitro powder.
The feeding is quite prone to failure but shooting is fine.
Stefan
