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Dear all
I own a 1873 in 38 WCF, it was manufactured in 1892. It is good condition, bore in goood shape. I have been researching a lot, since 1892 seems to be a bit earlier to the transition to smokeless powder, so probably this rifle was originally intended to shoot black powder ammo. I really want to know how safe would it be to shoot modern 38-40 cartridges, in my location is pretty much hard to reload or to get cowboy action ammo.
I really thank your professional advise
David Rincon
Online
David,
Modern 38-40 ammo is loaded to the same pressure and velocity as the original 38 WCF ammo. If you Model 1873 is in sound shooting condition, there is no problem with shooting the modern Winchester brand ammo.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Dear Bert
Thank you very much for your reply It gives me confidence to shoot this piece By the way, I did some checking and it was actually manufactured in 1891 not 1892 as I wrote, something I assume makes no difference Warm regards David
“there is no problem with shooting the modern Winchester brand ammo” – what about other brands of ammo – is it all safe to shoot in a blackpowder gun?
Thanks
I have shot different brands of new old stock ammo (Remington, Winchester and Western) in my old 73’s and have had no problems. If the box said something like “High Power” I didn’t buy it. If its from a handloader guy selling stuff then I would be a little concerned.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
War Eagle said
“there is no problem with shooting the modern Winchester brand ammo” – what about other brands of ammo – is it all safe to shoot in a blackpowder gun?
Thanks
If it is one of the major brand companies, and is not marked “High Velocity”, it should be safe to shoot. That stated, you need to do your homework, and decide for yourself if it is safe to shoot in your gun. Like Bob, I have shot Winchester, Remington, and several others with no issues. With off brands, and specialty makers, I would check with them to determine if it is a safw load for an original Model 1873.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hello David,
I shoot Remington, Winchester, and on the rare occasion Black Hills (lower velocity by about 25%) in my Model 1873 and Model 1892 rifles. They work fine and I have never had a problem.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 7, 2015
Offline
I use Starline brass, a 180 grain bullet I cast from wheel weights and a full case of FFFg black powder or a moderate charge of Unique to make ammo for my 38WCF rifles. Rifles like yours are a good reason to get into loading, maybe even casting.
Probably off topic and out of my lane, but I used to have a SAA in 38-40 (talk about anemic) and people who know more than me (everyone) said to make sure I did not shoot 38-40 rifle rounds in my 38-40 revolver. Never understood that but always told the store I was buying from that I wanted them for a revolver. Maybe you all could educate me. Are they the same size with different loads, or ??? Do they fit both revolvers and rifles? Anyway to tell the difference without a box? If you are worried about an old Winchester 73 could you use the pistol rounds in it? Thanks in advance.
The loads are different when loading for a revolver vs a rifle. Crack open a Lyman’s reloading manual and compare powder grains in the rifle section vs the revolver section. No way to tell once loaded unless if you pull the bullet on one and weigh the grains and know what powder was used. Yes, perfectly safe to shoot pistol rounds in a rifle–provided that they are not so anaemic that they don’t actually travel the full length of the barrel.
Huck Riley said
Probably off topic and out of my lane, but I used to have a SAA in 38-40 (talk about anemic) and people who know more than me (everyone) said to make sure I did not shoot 38-40 rifle rounds in my 38-40 revolver. Never understood that but always told the store I was buying from that I wanted them for a revolver. Maybe you all could educate me. Are they the same size with different loads, or ??? Do they fit both revolvers and rifles? Anyway to tell the difference without a box? If you are worried about an old Winchester 73 could you use the pistol rounds in it? Thanks in advance.
The ammunition manufactures came out with a high velocity round developed for the Model 1892 and not intended for use in revolvers or Model 1873’s. It was eventually discontinued as there were instances of people using this round in the wrong guns.
“At one time there was a high velocity factory load offered for the .38-40, intended for use only in rifles. This was loaded with a maximum charge of smokeless powder and had a catalog MV of 1775 fps. This ancient “+P” load was discontinued because shooters insisted in firing it in black powder revolvers and other unsuitable actions with disastrous results.“
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
If your revolver is proofed for smokeless, it was designed to handle the “normal” store-bought .38-40 ammunition. If your revolver is a .38 WCF the diameter of the bore will take the same bullets your rifle will shoot. How straight the two shoot with one type of ammunition might vary.
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