The Winchester Model 1873: then & now; it might not be the strongest lever action rifle ever made, but 700,000 customers can't be wrong

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2005 by Mike Venturino

LOAD CHART--AUTHOR'S FAVORITES

100 YARDS 5-SHOT GROUPS

.44 WCF Cimarron Arms Model 1873 Sporting Rifle 24 1/4"

BULLET                POWDER       VELOCITY (FPS)   GROUP (INCHES)

214 RN/FP         34.0 Goex FFFg     1.222 & 18          4.50
RCBS 44-200FN      6.8 Win. 231        1.142             4.13
200 RN/FP Black        (NA)            1.238             3.75
  Hills Factory

.38 WCF Winchester Model 1873 Standard Rifle 24" (circa 1899)

180 RN/FP         34.0 Goex FFFg       1.281             3.50
Oregon Trail       6.8 Win. 231        1.189             3.00
180 RN/FP Black        (NA)            1.182             3.88
  Hills Factory

LOAD CHART NOTES: Group figures are for a 5-shot group fired at 100
yards from sandbag rest. Chronograph figures are for 5-shots taken with
a PACT Model IV Timer set in chronograph mode with start screen at
approximately six feet. RCBS bullet No. 44-200FN was cast of 1:20 tin
to lead alloy, sized .428" and lubed with SPG. Oregon Trail's 180-grain
RN/FP was sized .401" and carried their lubricant. Brass for smokeless
loads was Starline. For Black powder loads it was Winchester Primers
for both were Winchester Large Pistol.