45 Colt Load Data For Cimarron 73

[panhandlepr]

Planning on ordering a Cimarron 73 Sporting Rifle 24in" 45 Colt. Anyone have a favorite load using the 260 bullet? I know the action is not as robust as the Marlins, Win. 92 and 94. What would be some safe loads for this rifle. Don't want to destroy a new rifle. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks guys

[GBertolet]

Stick with the traditional loadings on the 73, as they have a toggle arangement, instead of locking lugs for the bolt. I like 231 powder in my Marlin 1894. I use 7.7 gr with the 260 gr RNFP. Delivers 1050 fps in my 24" barrel. This is ballisticly equal to the traditional loading. Pleasant to shoot, and the cases last a long time. Some like 9 grains of Unique, for a traditional loading also, but accuracy wise it does not perform as well as the 231 loading in my rifle. As with any offered load data, start below, and work up. You may find lighter charge weights than these, shoot well and suit your purpose.

[Outpost75]

6.5 grains of Bullseye, TiteGroup, 700X or Red Dot approximate factory velocity and are safe in your 1873.

[John Boy]

Take your pick for reloading the 45 Colt. ... http://stevespages.com/451p_3_260.html

[missionary5155]

We are still looking at a system designed in 1840s (S&W Vulcan) and produced by Winchester in 1873.
WE start by loading a brass with 3F goex so our intended cast weight will enter the case compressing the powder about 1/8". See what the velocity is.
Then that is our max load using any smokeless powder.
We intend our rifles will last through our great grandkids.

[Jeff Michel]

I have the same rifle, 8.5 grains of Unique with a 255 grain flat point.

[Prairie Cowboy]

I have the same rifle, 8.5 grains of Unique with a 255 grain flat point.

Or, just 8.0 grains of Unique. Any standard low-pressure .45 Colt revolver load data meant for a Colt SAA or Italian clone will be suitable. Cowboy loads are even better and easier on the action.

Don't even think about +P or heavy bullet loads. If you want to shoot these, get an 1894 Marlin or a Henry Big Boy.

[Jedman]

It may seem a waste of powder but.. if you already have any R 7 powder , start with about 20 grs. and work up from there. It is to slow of a powder to get yourself in trouble with but it is easy to ignite, burns decently at low pressures and has always given me accurate results with strait walled pistol cartridges and cast bollits.
It wount be hi velocity but accuracy has always been great when I have used it.

Jedman

[kaiser]

Panhandler - Unique, AA5, Red Dot, Universal, 2400, and Bullseye all work well in the .45Colt case, heeding the caution to hold pressures to 15,700psi. (Be advised that Steve's Pages give pressures that far exceed "Cowboy Loads" at his published "upper end"!!) The European's use 15,700psi rather than 14,000cup; your 1873 was made in Italy, so it should be OK with any load that stays within that standard. The good news is that with the longer barrel, your rifle should improve the velocity over a pistol by 150 to 250fps while being really pleasant and effective shooting or hunting.

[jimb16]

I use 8.5 gr. Unique with the 260 gr rnfp and get .75 inch 50 yard groups out of my Uberti 1873. YMMV.

[mnewcomb59]

You can duplicate the 44-40 at standard pressures if you want a flatter shooting load. A Lee 200-rf at 1250-1300 fps is pretty flat shooting to 100 yards if you sight in 1 inch high at 50.

[Tatume]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ has plenty of pressure-tested load data for 45 Colt.

[T-Bird]

I've gone to the Lee 200gr rnfp for shooting in my 45 colts with 7.0 gr Titegroup. It's an accurate load and doesn't use as much lead, for everything but hunting. I think these guns (1873's) are stronger that the internet gurus say they are esp with new steels etc but I wouldn't push it with Ruger only loads etc. Just my opinion, worth what you paid

[Tatume]

The design of the Winchester 1873 places considerable strain on a weak arrangement of toggles. The toggles will accumulate lost motion over time if over stressed. The action will be become loose and generally unsatisfactory.