Accurate Molds 43-215C & 44-40 = Good Long Distance Accuracy

by John Kort

December 1, 2011

Back in 1875, Winchester considered their 1873 Winchester to be "accurate and effective to 500-600 yards."

My testing of the vintage 44-40 bullet (427098) using Swiss FFG proved to be surprisingly accurate at extended ranges. Winchester obviously did some testing prior to making that statement.

With Goex, however, the 427098 fouls out in a dozen rounds or so with accuracy degrading rapidly thereafter.

I felt that if the 427098 design could be modified to carry a bit more lube that perhaps the down range accuracy of the 427098 could be duplicated using the less expensive and more easily obtainable Goex. So I experimented with some 427098 bullets, modifying them with my lathe and testing to find the ideal lube (without being excessive) capacity to make the 24" trip many times with Goex without fouling out. The Accurate Molds 43-215C is the result of those tests.

I had a chance recently to test the 43-215C bullet (Accurate Molds) in the 44-40 at 300 meters. Lube was SPG.

In this test, the powder was Goex FFG in 37 grs. by weight doses ignited by Remington 2 1/2 primers.

300 meters (327 yards)

I fired several rounds to get the right elevation to be "on target".

First 5 shots -

Initially windage was off to the left but I fired 5 rounds, 4 of which impacted the steel javelina on the left hand side with one round impacting about where the white dot is.

Finishing shots -

I moved the windage to the right and the second group was pretty well centered.

I placed my cell phone face down on the target to give a perspective of size.

I am happy to report that the 43-215C does well at extended distances....just like its brother the 427098.

Below is the 200 yard target I made with the 43-215C earlier this year. The majority of the shots are in or touching the 4" circle. At the time I just referred to it as the 427098 modified....

43-215C bullets loaded up with a Lyman 310 tool ~Bryan Austin

Testing Vintage 44-40 Ammunition