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40/40 1873 reloads. (Read 9824 times)

mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	40/40 1873 reloads. Jan 22^nd, 2012 at 12:31pm	Print Post
	I just got some cases for a Model 1873 Maynard in 40/40 and 64 shotgun. I have been hunting and shooting with antique rifles my entire adult life. I looked up in an old Barnes Cartridges of the world the recommended load with a 260 gr bullet. It is 22 gr. 4759. That seems a little stout to me as I only use 25gr in a 44/90. Any one shot any smokeless loads for this caliber in a Maynard with good safe results? About 6 months ago members of this board helped me with loads for a 25/20 SS--8.5 gr 4227 . Just wanted to report I took it to Montana and shot prairie dogs with good results--the bird hunting was great also. Mike in Virginia


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Green_Frog Frequent Elocutionist Offline "It ain't easy being green" ASSRA Life #281 Posts: 4032 Location: Lynchburg, VA Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #1 - Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 8:32am	Print Post
	Mike, I have both of those same barrels/chamberings for my 1873 Maynard. I have absolutely no desire to shoot them with smokeless now that I know how to clean the after effects of shooting BP. It's so easy to make brass for the .40-40 using either .303 Brit or .30-40 US brass and adaptor rings from DeadEyeBly, that I've devoted a bunch of cases for just that reason. I'm still working on making brass for the .64, and it looks like Mr. Bly will be able to make up some rings so I can use MagTech 20 gauge brass to fabricate the needed .64s. As I said, I haven't seriously even considered the use of smokeless in these calibers or in my 1873, but just eyeballing the numbers you quote, I would say the amount of 4759 is about twice the charge I would consider... but that's just my first impression, based on using this powder in high-walls in .32-40 and .45-70, but not based on experience with this application. YMMV, of course. Froggie


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Deadeye Bly Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1059 Location: Stephens City Joined: Feb 25^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #2 - Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 9:34am	Print Post
	You would be best to stick with black powder in that 1873 Maynard. All Maynard frames were made in 1864 and 1865 no matter what model it is marked. The last ones shipped in the 1890's were still made from surplus Civil War guns. The firing pin diameter of those 1873's is about .140" and the backthrust on the primer puts a lot of stress on the cross screw that keeps the firing pin in place. The firing pin can be blown out of the frame toward your face with a higher pressure than normal load. It was a problem then and the 1882 firing pin with it's smaller diameter and threaded retainer was a big safety improvement. Yes, I shoot my 1873's, but only with black powder or .22 rimfire in a properly fitted barrel. Don't risk your eyesight or risk ruining an antique firearm with smokeless powder. That's my opinion. Others may differ.


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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #3 - Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 12:28pm	Print Post
	Deadeye Bly, succinct rational and on examination you are right about the firing pin diameter. I am no stranger to BP and will load accordingly. All my other cartridge Maynards are '82s, with exception of military percussion ones. I had not even thought about the pressure on the firing pin, just the strength of the action. Thanks.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7551 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #4 - Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 2:03pm	Print Post
	Looked in all my old manuals and don't see anything for the 40/40 Maynard. I did see the reference in Cartridges of the world however edition I have shows that charge using 4198 which is a couple of stops slower than 4759. Any event I would be using Black powder only Boats


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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #5 - Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 6:03pm	Print Post
	I wanted to say I got the cases from Dave at Rocky Mountain Cartridges--solid and turned from one piece of brass. Sent him a chamber cast and they fit beautifully. Loaded up two bullets weights today, the cased gun came with an original bullet mold two different one ring bullet styles. The shorter one weighs 244 gr the other more truncated style weighs 308 gr. Each case is uniform, and held exactly 40 gr. 3F, two .30 wads, a lube cookie, and the bullet up to the front driving band.


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Green_Frog Frequent Elocutionist Offline "It ain't easy being green" ASSRA Life #281 Posts: 4032 Location: Lynchburg, VA Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #6 - Jan 24^th, 2012 at 11:08am	Print Post
	mike in Va. wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 6:03pm: I wanted to say I got the cases from Dave at Rocky Mountain Cartridges--solid and turned from one piece of brass. Sent him a chamber cast and they fit beautifully. Loaded up two bullets weights today, the cased gun came with an original bullet mold two different one ring bullet styles. The shorter one weighs 244 gr the other more truncated style weighs 308 gr. Each case is uniform, and held exactly 40 gr. 3F, two .30 wads, a lube cookie, and the bullet up to the front driving band. Mike, I have a pair of bullet moulds that copy the original 40s from Maynard, and when I pan lube them with Emmert's I don't find the need for a lube cookie. Did you find you needed it, or are you just using it as a matter of routine? FWIW, I have gotten good results with a case full of GOEX FFg and just a card wad behind either of those bullets, getting good accuracy out to moderate distances, but no leading or hard fouling. My cases duplicate the .40-40 in outside dimension but are effectively .40-60s due to the internal configuration of the case. I'm pleased with the performance of my original 26" barrel. Froggie


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moodyholler Oldtimer Offline Posts: 697 Location: Blue Ridge Joined: Oct 11^th, 2005	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #7 - Jan 24^th, 2012 at 6:53pm	Print Post
	Mike, did you by any chance end up with the cased one with the telescoped 40-40 barrel? That is one nice Maynard!!!! mh


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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #8 - Jan 25^th, 2012 at 12:12pm	Print Post
	I did buy this gun at the Chantilly gun show after seeing it for a couple of years at the same dealers table. I have always like Maynard's on their merit and used one when I skirmished with the N-SSA. But I laughed at my self for buying the gun empathizing with a trout as that damn worm keeps going by again and again... Shot the rifle yesterday after cobbling together some rounds with a variety of unrelated reloading equipment. The 308 gr bullet is dead on at 50 yards and about 4" low at 125 yards. did not chrono yet. I used 3F Swiss (this is a 20" barrel--thought 2F Goex may not burn in that length) but did have some case extraction difficulty which I have never had before. I am trying to sort out that issue today. I annealed the cases, may dispense with cookie (only used it as I am mainly a hunter and do not expect to wipe between shots), may try a slower powder, etc. These cases will also hold closer to 60 gr with the card wads and cookie as yours. the Malcolm scope lenses cleaned up with Q-tips to clear as new. the rifle barrel looks almost unused, rifling and chamber bright, chamber cast great. Shotgun barrel (64 caliber or about 18 G.) is also bright. tried the shotgun this morning with a 60 gr 2 F Goex and one ounce of shot. Lt field load. any thoughts on the sticky cartridge cases--let me know. I am finally semi-retired now with time to Play with the toys I love. Having input from people with similar interest just makes the hobby more fun.


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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #9 - Jan 25^th, 2012 at 8:22pm	Print Post
	my cases will hold 45 gr of 2F Goex with a .030 fiber wad and some compression. I loaded a few with that charge but no lube cookie to see if case removal is easier. I thought the lube may have acted like hydraulic fluid forcing the case expansion more than just the gas pressure because the tight spot is just where the lube was--no idea, but tomorrow will see.


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7282 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #10 - Jan 25^th, 2012 at 8:45pm	Print Post
	I don't have a Mayard but, I do like them. Any chance of seeing that that "worm" wearing the glasses? Frank

	ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #11 - Jan 25^th, 2012 at 10:48pm	Print Post
	It would take a complete tutorial for me to understand how to post a photo. Heck, some of the posts have letter abbreviations I have not sorted out yet! I'll figure it out eventually and get some pictures--actually my son in law, a computer engineer, will be here this weekend we'll get something done. I've been collecting for over 40 years, guns used to affordable, I have a number of Maynards I'll try to post. 3 have period scopes. Had to sell most of my fancy guns when I bought my farm 25 years ago but still have a few nice shooters.


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7282 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #12 - Jan 25^th, 2012 at 11:36pm	Print Post
	Thank you Mike, I'll look forward to seeing them Frank

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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #13 - Jan 29^th, 2012 at 9:13am	Print Post
	Next two posts will have pictures.


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mike in Va. Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Location: milford, virginia Joined: Aug 13^th, 2011	Re: 40/40 1873 reloads. Reply #14 - Jan 29^th, 2012 at 9:16am	Print Post
	this picture has the '73 in the case. later I'll post a text of what each one is if interested.


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