Winchester 1873 Sporting rifle 45Colt

[Svt40]

I have been shooting a 255 hardcast swc over 9 grs. Of Unique in the Winchester 24" barrel. Very accurate at 50 yds at around 1000fps. Cloverleaf groups are the norm. This load in Sa 5-1/2" 45 colt kills deer fine at 30-35yds. I think the 1873 will be good out to 100yds on deer. I think max would be 9.5 grs for the Colt or Winchester 1873. Plenty of horsepower here with the 255swc at near 1100fps out of the 24" barrel on the 1873.

[TXGunNut]

Welcome to the forum! Who made that rather attractive bit of blue steel and hardwood?

[Svt40]

Its a New Winchester 1873 Sporting rifle with grade 3 walnut. http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2013/10/24/winchesters-new-model-1873/

[Good Cheer]

My brother loves his .45 Colt '73 rifle (don't know what brand his is). The way it handles and shoots he considers it to be a "long rifle" that keeps on a shooting. The only draw back I've heard him comment on is one concerning boolit molds, that with triple 7 and black the longer barrel makes you find a mold with a large enough lube groove.

[Svt40]

This 1873 are good rifles,but not to be hot rodded like the 1892. Stay with in 45 colt factory specs,which is good enough for anything as they were in the 1870's in Sa Colt pistols. Even some grizzleys were put down by the old blk. Powder 250-255 gr. 38-40 grs of ffg. For 950fps in a 7-1/2" Colt. Cast bullets kill fine! Who needs hollow points?? The only time I lost game or wounded them was with hp in a 44,357 or 45 colt. Failure to penetrate and blowing up on the shoulder. Where the hard cast breaks both shoulders and with its exit hole a good blood trail. Cast bullets give you a hole to let the air in and a hole to let the blood out and no blood shot meat!!!

[northmn]

I carry a 45 Colt Ruger 7.5" revolver and always thought hardcast would be the way to go ecpecially on shoulder shots The Unique load mentioned is what I use. Glad to hear my suspicions supported. Kind of like it on the 4-wheeler or tractor when I cut wood during deer season. The original Colts or repos with fixed sights look cooler than the Ruger but I find the adjustable sights to easier to pick up at my age.

DP

[Flinchrock]

My brother loves his .45 Colt '73 rifle (don't know what brand his is). The way it handles and shoots he considers it to be a "long rifle" that keeps on a shooting. The only draw back I've heard him comment on is one concerning boolit molds, that with triple 7 and black the longer barrel makes you find a mold with a large enough lube groove.


452664 might work.