Acquired this 1892 in 38-40 a few years back needing some help. The mag tube was crushed and the front of the barrel was badly beat up, finish about non- existent. Bought a replacement mag tube and Havlin's refinished the rifle, getting rid of all the damage to the end without removing any markings, excellent job. I added a Marbles tang sight and this period scabbard, the rifle being manufactured in 1909.
The 38-40 WCF is an uncommon caliber, but has no vices in this rifle, I load Lee 175grain TCTL bullets on top of 8 gains of Unique. Crimping on the last ring of the TL ridges the overall cartridge chambers with just slight resistance as it goes into battery. Accuracy is quite good with this combination and recoil very low, at woods ranges I can hit anything I can see. I'll have to paper it from a rest someday, but it's very comfortable off hand.
Colt chambered a number of their revolvers of the same era in 38-40 which made a good companion to this rifle, power level is between a 40S&W and 10mm with common loads. The mold I use is marketed by Lee for those two pistol cartridges, but I found it worked quite well here.
The 38-40 WCF is an uncommon caliber, but has no vices in this rifle, I load Lee 175grain TCTL bullets on top of 8 gains of Unique. Crimping on the last ring of the TL ridges the overall cartridge chambers with just slight resistance as it goes into battery. Accuracy is quite good with this combination and recoil very low, at woods ranges I can hit anything I can see. I'll have to paper it from a rest someday, but it's very comfortable off hand.
Colt chambered a number of their revolvers of the same era in 38-40 which made a good companion to this rifle, power level is between a 40S&W and 10mm with common loads. The mold I use is marketed by Lee for those two pistol cartridges, but I found it worked quite well here.
