Old 1892 in 44 40

[Porpoise]

Is a wichester 1892 made in 1905 made with smokeless steel? Can it handle the later high speed factory ammo or equivalent? I'm wondering if I can make it work ok at 200 metres

[TheBugFather]

I would think factory loads for 44-40 should be safe. Better to reload and you need to use the correct size bullets, I think 0.426" jacketed or coated cast bullets made for older 44-40.

Look at a Lyman reloading manual for load info with older guns, should use a 200gr bullet.

Or you could just buy the modern one I'm selling, it doesn't have any trouble at 200 meters with 240gr bullets.

Dennis Ostler

[Porpoise]

My internet research tells me all original1892 rifles were made with the old high strength steel, they never switched to the smokeless steel used on the 1894 rifles in 30 30. But the original 92's are good with the high speed smokeless loads

[Porpoise]

Interestingly, my marlin 94 in 44 40 is safety steel