Just a short note thanking Frank with Providence Tool Company  out of Plymouth Wis for coming to Eau Claire this weekend and letting me shoot his 44-95 whatcheer. After a few test shots at 200 yards we moved back to 600 yards and I did something that I hadn't try before. After pulling the trigger and than being about to hear the bullets impact at 600 yards that was a rush. We tried out 2 different loads one loaded by Bill Flanagan and the other by Frank I came up with the idea that this long range shooting might be the coolest thing I have ever done. Thanks to both of them and Also my teacher Tommy Bates of Eleva Wis. for putting up with this long haired tattoo kid that likes to shoot. This is a picture of the great Tommy Bates at 600 yards prone. thanks Tommy Auger

Just curious - why duplex loads?  BP alone works at least as well!

We use duplex loads because no blow tube needed less cleaning of the bore. Right now I never clean between shots maybe that wrong but I don't know and it is cheaper because we save about 10 grains per shell.  I would love to test straight black VS duplex at longer yards to see if the different is noticeable. I am very new to the sport and if anyone would like to give me advice I will listen. Tommy Auger

This is why we use the 45 cal
 
The .44-95 Peabody is HERE!!!
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce  the .44-95 Peabody central-fire metallic cartridge for 2009.  After much testing and experimentation, we have re-created this historic cartridge to meet the demands of the long-range rifleman and hunter.
Caliber
Use standard .458”/.459” bullets.   The cartridge designation comes from the bore diameter of .449”, just like the original.   It is confusing, but the historic name is actually based on the land-to-land diameter of the bore, not the groove-to-groove diameter as most of us use nowadays in any discussion of caliber.
Brass
Use .50-110 Winchester brass cut to the original length of 2 5/16ths inch.   We supply your brass – as well as forming and reloading dies – with each “What Cheer” rifle and, especially worth noting, forming the cases is a piece of cake.   Fortunately, the brass is readily available at good prices.   This means you won’t be wasting your time searching for obscure, expensive brass to enjoy shooting these .44-95 Peabody rifles.
Bullets
Since this cartridge is primarily a long-range proposition, we like weights of 500 grains and up in .458” cast bullets of 1:20 alloy with greased grooves.   Although for hunting you could certainly use the 400 grainers for more velocity.
Velocity
The prototype of this cartridge achieved 1428 FPS with a 500-grain bullet and 88 grains of Goex cartridge powder.   Your results may vary, but you will get much more speed than available from standard load in 45-70 Government.   In fact, this cartridge performs on par with the 45-100 Sharps.
Case Design
This is a rimmed, bottlenecked case – necessary for problem-free feeding with the Peabody action.
Visit our “About Us” page for a complete listing of all available chambering in the Peabody line.  The .44-95 Peabody is #8 in the picture.
Note:  This version of the .44-95 Peabody will not fit rifles manufactured in the 19th Century.

Hi Guys,  I am new here, so bear with me.  I am checkering Bill Flanigans wood as we speak.  Not sure which rifle it goes on, but I suspect it is the rifle in the photo.  Isn't Frank Weirus a hoot?!  Super nice guy.  I am building a custom "What Cheer" 45-70 Peabody presently for myself, and everyone at Providence Tool is being super nice helping me.  After my english walnut is fitted & finished, I will be sending it back to Frank for bluing & color case hardening.  The rifle will be a "custom What Cheer" !  Eventually I think the Providence gang will show it on their website.  I certainly will add photo's to my website, ( (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)).  I am about to bust, wanting to start working on my accuracy loads as soon as I get the rifle back.  Mike Venturino has been helpful, and has sent me his pet accuracy load for his Peabody 45-70.  I'll be loading primarily for BPCR Silouhette, as well as the local Mid-Range matches, 200, 300 and 600 yds.  I hope to shoot in three matches of silouhette here in MS., so I can get classified before next year's Nationals in Raton, NM.
I wonder if there is a AAAAA old man, half blind classification?
         Best to All,   Tim Smith-Lyon

Yep,  A couple of weeks should do it at Raton next year.  That is what it would take to participate in it all.  Talking to a customer there last July, and he mentioned, "Well, a lot of people here are retired and have plenty of time to do this".  I asked "retired or retarded?"  Because I am already retarded, but not retired!
 When we got home, I was covered up with jobs that had come in since I was gone for a week.  No rest for the weary.   Tim
 

Tim  looking forward to getting it.  will take and post pictures afterwards.  The wood does have some very nice figure to it does it not.  Mine a tommys guns will be featured in the up coming issue of the guns of the old west magazine  I knew I should of had the checkering done first.   

Bill

Mighty glad you like the checkering.  Can't wait to see the photo's!  Check out a progress photo in the Gunsmithing section I just posted.
It is taking forever to get anything done on my own rifle!  Kind of like the cobbler whose children are all going barefooted without shoes.  Got to keep making sawdust to put food on the table.    Tim