Winchester model 92 44mag strength

[quaid]

I have a Winchester model 92 in 44mag 20" with a serial number dated in the 1960s. It's a good rifle, factory ammo gave me a nice deer last year. I'm looking at reloading the brass now with 240xtp and nice big charges of w296.

Should I be concerned about the rifle's strength and ability to tolerate these max charges? Should I substitute 2400 instead and download?

I haven't worn out a gun yet, but I'm going to keep trying...

 

[rcmodel]

It should be perfectly fine with any tested .44 Mag load data.

rc

 

[BCRider]

It's a tough action. It'll be fine.

Rossi makes stainless 92's chambered in .454Casull and they stand up well. Your .44Mag loads are way down in power and pressure from that round.

The 2400 gives you the option of loading down to a lower minimum starting load than the H110/W296. But with max loads the 2400 gives up nothing in pressure or muzzle velocity to the H110/W296. So I'd consider it as a great alternative if you can't locate any H110/W296.

Full loads of IMR 4227 is another alternative. The muzzle velocity with this powder is down from H110/W296 by a hair's worth. But it's still listed as 1780 vs 1820 fps. The 40fps difference is less than 1%. So that's another alternate in these troubled times for you to consider.

 

[Malamute]

Winchester model 92 in 44mag 20" with a serial number dated in the 1960s.

Do you mean 94?

Winchester didnt make a 92 in the 60's.

 

[PapaG]

Mal is right. I also have one and it is a 94. It does not lie lead much over 1200-1300 fps but shoots bracketed stuff right up to max. Flaigs, in FL did convert a lot of 92s to 44 Mag in the sixties but 92 production stopped years before, 1935??

 

[quaid]

Keeping me honest... The barrel is stamped Winchester 94-44 magnum.

Thanks for the advice. I happen to already have 296&2400. I like to shoot more then I like to reload, so components collect dust until I want to try something.

I intend to load full power loads, but not over max loads. Probably sticking to 240- the factory sights agreed with that factory weight putting multiple five shot groups within 6" circles at 100yds with irons. No idea what the rifle is capable of - the front bead covers the whole circle at 100 yds. It's reassuring to know I'm not going to peen lugs or locking mechanism.

 

[gamestalker]

I used to reload for a friends 92 back in the 80's with jacketed and 296, they're very capable of handling those loads, IMO. I wouldn't hesitate.

GS

 

[wxl]

I have always read that the 92s could handle fairly high pressure but was always leary on mine. Mine in 44-40 break down was actually before smokeless powder was common. Manufactured 1895.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

A '94 should be able to handle it. Have both a '94 carbine and a Trapper chambered for the .44 Mag.

Use a Speer 4457 240 JSP, but might have to find another as this one appears to be obsolete. 24.0-24.3 grains of H110 (using auto disk w/1.54CC) COL 1.600 +/- .010 (can tighten this up if I want, but would have to be anal about fired shell lengths due to the cannelure on the 4457 not being right where I want them). This formula comes out of my Trapper (16" barrel) @ 1720 fps average over 1000 rounds. Out of the carbine with the 20" barrel the average is 1810 fps.

Totally agree with the lead...1200-1350 fps max. In fact with 240 LSWC my load is 9.0 grains of Unique and I get leading, even though they barely average 1200 fps. A little bit better luck with 270 Grain Ranch Dog mold w/GC. These run about 275 grains lubed and with Hornady gas checks, but can not get more than 1310-1325 FPS before they start to show signs of lead. So I load them with 9.5 grains of Unique...then they just bump 1300 fps.

Buddies 1894 Marlin chambered for the .44Mag doesn't lead at the throat and I can push them both the SWC and the RD GC's a bit more...but the 1-38 twist makes them unstable and inconsistent when trying to get more than 50 to 100 yards out of them. The Winchesters clover leaf when clamped in a shooting vise.

The Winchester has a short, tight throat and that is where the leading shows up...nothing further than the throat. My Trapper has a 1-26 twist and my Carbine-Black Shadow) has a 1-20 twist.

 

[Malamute]

No idea what the rifle is capable of - the front bead covers the whole circle at 100 yds.

Try using the tip of the bead as the aiming point instead of the whole thing.

For much better visibility, use the bottom (6:00 hold) on the target black, with the tip of the bead just touching it. Ignore the bullseye or scoring rings, just get the point of impact where you want it in relation to the point of aim (I use the tip of the front sight, no matter what style sight). Should improve groups noticeably