Uberti 1873 Accuracy?

[Michael J. Spangler]

Hello guys and gals,

Just wondering if anyone here can tell me what type of accuracy they’re getting with their 1873?
I’m running an 18” 38/357 and she doesn’t seem to shoot as well as my Marlin 1894C
The main problem being I like the looks of the 1873 and take it to the range more often.
A couple factors are I prefer the Marlin’s brass bead and rear sights (I hold up some front sight to make the longer range shots and take a fine bead for the close up shots) and I haven’t played with load development. I shoot a bare bottomed 358156 over 3.5 grains of bullseye and it’s always shot very well in the 1894 so I never changed.

My accuracy claims aren’t anything special, just being able to hit a 12” or so gong at 200 with about 90% success rate off of a set of bags. Seems the 1873 is all over the place.

I’m going to give the bore a quick scrub. I haven’t done that in a long time so maybe it needs a little cleaning.
I’m going to bring the Marlin out and do a side by side comparison.
Maybe the brass bead is easier to pick up than the blued 1873 front sight and helping with sight picture?
Maybe the 1873 doesn’t like that load?
Maybe my eyes have aged enough in the last couple years that I’m not shooting as good as 5 years ago with the Marlin?
Maybe the Uberti’s arent as accurate as a Marlin?
Maybe during changing over my dies I dropped the crimp back giving my inconsistent ammo? I’m going to try to rule that out with a labaradar this coming week.
Is my mish mash ofmoxed brass causing inconsistencies?
Any suggestions on variables I can work through?
Thanks for looking!


241851

[veeman]

I'd be happy to hit anything with anything at 200 yards! Never shot my 73 to that distance, so I don't know.

[Boz330]

Everything you mentioned could be an issue not to mention all of them at once. 3.5gr of BE sounds a little light for that sort of distance but Lever guns aren't known for MOA accuracy.
I've just started working with a Uberti 73 in 45Colt at 75yd over sand bags and the best group so far has been just over 2". If I could get that consistently at 100yd I would be ecstatic. Many of the powders were more in the 5" to 6" area.

Bob

[Michael J. Spangler]

I agree the 3.5 is a little light but I shoot down to 2.5 clays under a 148 wadcutter. I just hold up more sight. That load Seemed to always do fine in the 1894 also.
I guess next week I’ll do a side by side with both of them and see how they shoot.
Then start crossing off variables.
Scrub bores before anything.
Shoot at 50 yards to take the poor sight picture out of the mix.
Maybe a little white paint on the Uberti front sight to help.
I’m going to grab some starline 38 special brass or sort through my mixed brass to make a matching batch.

[fecmech]

My experience with pistol cartridge levers is that it is not easy to maintain 3 moa 10 shot groups at 100 yds. Holding that 3 moa accuracy to 200yds is another much more difficult feat. I'm guessing you are using standard buckhorn sights which adds in even more difficulty. So to me 90% hits on a 12" gong is a bit of a stretch. I used to shoot a square 12" 200 yd gong (more area than round) with a tang sight and benched could generally hit 8-9 times on a calm day. Wind drift is a factor also as ballistics of that SWC are essentially the same as a .22rf. If you really want to see what the 73 is capable of mount a scout scope on the barrel and compare your groups to the irons. My 2X scout scope groups were always much more consistent than my tang sight groups.

[Ruts]

My miroku 73 in 357 won’t shoot well after about 75 metres with any bullet I have tried yet. 100 is ok sometimes, by 150 forget about it.

[Michael J. Spangler]

That’s disappointing.

Maybe I need to send the 1894 out for an octagon barrel and a case hardening job.

[Mistered]

ZERO experience with Uberti but a pretty fair 'novice' with levers in general - owned 'em all my life.
Typically however I have never heard any bad reports from owners of Ubertis.
Two things I have discovered with levers (pistol and rifle cartridge style) that really influence accuracy are loads AND sights.
I ditto the post about the 3.5 grain BE load seeming light. While this is a 'standard' .38 Special load (shot thousands of this load out of revolvers) BE is a little fast for a rifle and runs its pressure course fairly quickly. In a rifle barrel a round should have a slower powder to continue to create pressure until the bullet leaves the barrel. This is not to say it will NOT be accurate but maybe in one rifle and not another. Another thing I have discovered is pistol cartridge rifles (such as .357) prefer a heavier bullet such as 158 grain for maximum accuracy.
On to sights. While traditional buckhorns are about the worst - some are better than others but overall they are not going to produce the best accuracy.
I am a fan of receiver peeps and have Williams on all my rifles. There is no denying a peep is going to improve accuracy as a round aperture will naturally center a front sight and give a much better sight picture.
I put a Williams on my Henry BBB .357 with a front blade from a Winchester and my accuracy improved dramatically.
Unfortunately I don't believe you can put a receiver sight on the 1873 as its not drilled and tapped for it but you could try a tang sight which can be installed.
The target below is 50 yards with my 1966 100 year Commemorative Winchester 30-30 with a Williams rear and a gold bead front. The load is 12 grains of Unique with a 100 gr 'Plinker' bullet from Speer. I could never get this kind of accuracy with a buckhorn.
241885
241886
AND, FWIW if anyone wants an inexpensive alternative to the higher priced sights than many use on their Henrys a Williams 336 WGRS mounted BACKWARDS with the windage slider flipped around in reverse makes it work like it was made for it!
241887

[Walks]

My old Uberti '73 Rifle will hold 2 1/2"+ at 50 yards resting both elbows on the bench. I used a Commercial Cast Magma 225gr RNFP with hard blue lube, sized .428dia over 7.0grs of Unique. Had a bit of Leading, but I must have shot 25,000 during my Cowboy Shooting days.

Never tried any other bullet on paper. Shot a lot of LYMAN #42798, RCBS #44-200-FN & #44-200-CM too.

I eventually got a 4cav LYMAN # 427666 and a pair of Lyman # 358665 4cav to keep up with my 2 kids shooting too.

[hightime]

I’ve had trouble too with my 1873 Uberti in 45 colt. I slugged the barrel . There was a tight spot under the rear sight. I have not had much luck with my own casting, but the .455 Remington swaged seems the best.

[DAVIDMAGNUM]

My miroku 73 in 357 won’t shoot well after about 75 meters with any bullet I have tried yet. 100 is ok sometimes, by 150 forget about it.

For the amount of money that they cost I would expect a 1.5MOA double your money back guarantee .

This may not be very scientific but....... my Uberti 1873 in 44WCF is pretty accurate . Two inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards and 4 to 6 inch 10 shot groups at 200 yards. I believe there are at least two things at play here. First, I have had 1892 rifles that were either finicky about loads or just down right inaccurate junk. They were chambered in straight wall cartridges. Uberti, Winchester and Marlin have all been spoken about on forums like this. Large or even off center chambers seem to be the culprit with 45 Colt, 44 Magnum and 357 Magnum . My 1873 Uberti and at least one other fellow that has one seem to be the most accurate/consistent with the Winchester dash calibers and a case full of the appropriate powder. In My rifle for the best accuracy my choices of powder are Swiss 2F, Alliant Reloader 7 and Hodgdon Trailboss. My choices of powder come from what the rifle let me know that it likes. Swiss 2F is a slightly compressed load, Reloader 7 is a 95% load density and Trailboss about a 75% load density. Small charges of Titegroup, Greendot, Unique and even Bluedot suffer past 50 yards.

[KCSO]

Same as any cast gun, they can be as accurate as you make them. Bullet to barrel fit , load development and then SIGHTS. I found that with my 73 I got to where the sight wasn't as sharp as it use to be and I switched to Marbles bead and a tang sight and went back to hitting a playing card 4 out of 5 at 100 yards. In the old days I did just as good with the patridge sights on my old Rossi 92. I have found that the 45 Colt rifles are not as consistent in bore as the 44-40 and the 357. My 73 favourite from the bench will run under 3" consistently with the right loads.

[Ruts]

My miroku 44 40 is pretty accurate with .429 bullets but my 357 leads quick with 358 bullets so I use plated 158 gr. Although factory s. And b. loads aren’t any better. It seems once the bullet goes off track it flys off worse and worse so I dont notice anything beyond my own shooting error at 75 but by 100 it’s clearly going awry.

[john.k]

I have a 'bad ole days' 94 in 44-40,and its quite accurate at 100,but at 200 ,bullets you think should work dont......I think slow twist stability is the problem,and 215gn FN seem to be better at 200 than the 250 RN type......I just use a casefull of trailboss with any bullet.............I once used big loads of 296 ,but the thin cases dont last,and I cant chase pigs anymore,anyway.

[35 Whelen]

100 yds.

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/Uberti%2044%20Mag%20Carbine/Uberti%20Carbine%20ed_zps2rrjr4dh.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/Uberti%2044%20Mag%20Carbine/Uberti%20Carbine%20ed_zps2rrjr4dh.jpg.html)

This one is a 44-40-

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/20160116_104543_zpswkyvlhvx.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/20160116_104543_zpswkyvlhvx.jpg.html)

All 200 yds-

21" steel-

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/Uberti1866200ydlabeled7_zps85e4c5d9.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/Uberti1866200ydlabeled7_zps85e4c5d9.jpg.html)

24" steel-

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yds.%20descr_zpsqsfdtwud.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yds.%20descr_zpsqsfdtwud.jpg.html)

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yd.%20target_zpstwfahowv.jpg (https://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/200%20yd.%20target_zpstwfahowv.jpg.html)

300 yds-

36" steel-

This target was fired from a prone position and I didn't have a rest for the buttstock. I was pretty happy with it.

https://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h6/308Scout/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/300%20yds.%20with%20Unique_zpshasgqca3.jpg (https://s60.photobucket.com/user/308Scout/media/1866%20Uberti%20Sporting%20Rifle/300%20yds.%20with%20Unique_zpshasgqca3.jpg.html)

35W

[Michael J. Spangler]

UPDATE

So after taking the little Marlin back out and lobbing some lead at 200 I realized I couldn't hit much with it either. Some random shots but not the 8/10 I used to pull off regularly. It was fine at 50 yards, chasing golf ball to baseball sized rocks around.
So after wracking my brain I realized that there was a change that I didn't account for and wondered if this could make enough of a difference to screw up my load.
LUBE
I had been shooting a decent amount of coated bullets and also Carnauba Red lubed.
I had switched over to Carnauba Blue sometime last year and then once that was done I switched over to 2500+ or 50/50 from White Label.
Previously I had only used Carnauba Red. It was my go to and only lube for such a long time I never even though of the change.
I don't think the Uberti 1873 has ever seen C-Red at all.
So I'm going to cast some more and Hi-Tek coat them and cast some more to lube with C-Red.

Does anyone think the change in lube could throw me off?

The journey continues.

[sghart3578]

I stick with Alox based lube. Usually Lee Alox thinned 50/50 with mineral spirits. Applid in one light coat.

I was getting a lot of flyers with traditional lubes.

The only other lube I use is Tac-X in my LAM. No flyers so far.


Steve in N CA

[Larry Gibson]

35 Whelen

If you don't mind, what's your load with the 44-40 in the '66? I just picked up a nice '92 Uberti (Cimeron) in 44-40.

[bigted]

UPDATE

So after taking the little Marlin back out and lobbing some lead at 200 I realized I couldn't hit much with it either. Some random shots but not the 8/10 I used to pull off regularly. It was fine at 50 yards, chasing golf ball to baseball sized rocks around.
So after wracking my brain I realized that there was a change that I didn't account for and wondered if this could make enough of a difference to screw up my load.
LUBE
I had been shooting a decent amount of coated bullets and also Carnauba Red lubed.
I had switched over to Carnauba Blue sometime last year and then once that was done I switched over to 2500+ or 50/50 from White Label.
Previously I had only used Carnauba Red. It was my go to and only lube for such a long time I never even though of the change.
I don't think the Uberti 1873 has ever seen C-Red at all.
So I'm going to cast some more and Hi-Tek coat them and cast some more to lube with C-Red.

Does anyone think the change in lube could throw me off?

The journey continues.

YES. Lube is king for accuracy. Both to deal with bp fouling AND to deal with longer barrels where lube can run short on lubricity for the long run.

In problems resultant from change of any kind, go back to success and begin there. Any change has ability to change outcome in areas not immediately noticeable.

Go back to what worked.
Revisit the reason for change

Took me many years , off n on , to discover solutions to problems ... this is ... for the most part ... my enjoyment in the shooting sports.

Never encountered hard to figure out problems, till I began delving into guns and loading ammo for cartridges designed to shoot BLACK POWDER. My education really has changed me ... THANKS BPC's!

Still has same basics ... but subtle changes make huge outcome differences.

[Michael J. Spangler]

YES. Lube is king for accuracy. Both to deal with bp fouling AND to deal with longer barrels where lube can run short on lubricity for the long run.

In problems resultant from change of any kind, go back to success and begin there. Any change has ability to change outcome in areas not immediately noticeable.

Go back to what worked.
Revisit the reason for change

Took me many years , off n on , to discover solutions to problems ... this is ... for the most part ... my enjoyment in the shooting sports.

Never encountered hard to figure out problems, till I began delving into guns and loading ammo for cartridges designed to shoot BLACK POWDER. My education really has changed me ... THANKS BPC's!

Still has same basics ... but subtle changes make huge outcome differences.


Thanks bigted.
I’m going to go back to using the coated and lube some with C Red as soon as I run through what’s already in the Star.
I would be happy with the accuracy at 50 yards if I had steel to shoot. My club only allows steel at 200/300/500
I’m not much for shooting paper and need to hear that steel ring. I’ve been known to shoot hundred of 38s at that 200 yard steel in a sitting without getting bored.
I think I need to petition the club to let me set up swingers at 50.
Keep the suggestions coming please and I’ll keep the updates coming
Thanks again

[Savvy Jack]

My Uberti 73' chambered in 44-40 shoots very well. I don't, but it does!!

Here is a video shooting 6.4gr of trailboss and a 200gr lead bullet at 25 yards and at 265 yards with open sights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcWcV3e-6Rs

Here is a video using my scoped Marlin at 265 yards shooting a golfball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4exkGBF_yq0&t=10s

[Savvy Jack]

Oh, lets don't forget the Marlin 1889 manufactured in 1891!!! 265 yards open sights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPFtishn0DA

[Michael J. Spangler]

Oh, lets don't forget the Marlin 1889 manufactured in 1891!!! 265 yards open sights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPFtishn0DA

I like it !

I really can't wait for the rerun of the 360640 so I can work out a load with those. Then run like water through my 1873.

[Savvy Jack]

I just picked up a scope for the 73', hope to try it this weekend. I wanted it for 100 targets. Normal loads.
244242

[salvadore]

Michael, I worked with an Uberti sporting rifle over some years. Tried many powders from pyrodex to 2400 and a lot of different cast and swaged bullets. In the end, 4" 50 yd groups wall were the best I could do. That shooter was stolen some years back, good riddance. Guess what I am planning to buy (again) this summer. It feels so good when I quit banging my head against a wall.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Michael, I worked with an Uberti sporting rifle over some years. Tried many powders from pyrodex to 2400 and a lot of different cast and swaged bullets. In the end, 4" 50 yd groups wall were the best I could do. That shooter was stolen some years back, good riddance. Guess what I am planning to buy (again) this summer. It feels so good when I quit banging my head against a wall.

Yeah even if she doesn’t shoot she sure is pretty. I would rathe lr ring 12” steel at 25 yards with a beautiful 1873 clone than ring a 6” plate at 500 with an ugly modern Henry. :popcorn:

[salvadore]

No offense to the henry owners, but amen.

[Savvy Jack]

Michael, I only own one rifle, a Marlin, chambered in 38/357. I have not tried to load for accuracy with it. I got it years ago for my wife and daughters for CAS. What I have shot has been horrible @ only 75 yards.

I have spent all of my time...past ten years...developing my loads for the 44-40 distance shots. Rifles are a Marlin 1894BC, original Marlin 1889 manufactured in 1891 and an Uberti 73'. With the 44-40, I had to revert back to rifle powders and hard lead cast bullets to accomplish this task. Not withstanding the 265 yard shots, the best I can get is 18-20 shot, 4" groups at 100 yards with my Marlin 1894CB and 4" groups @ 25 yards (same load) in my Uberti revolvers. The rifle loads are kicking between 1,500fps to 1,700fps depending on the load. These loads avg between 11,500psi to 20,000psi...again pending which load I am using. The max pressures Winchester ever used for 44-40 production was 22,000cup/1,600pfs High Velocity loads...approx 18,000psi back between about 1910 to 1945. These loads were not safe for the 73' or revolvers.

I discovered in my testings that my black powder tests, using Swiss FFG in original unheadstamped cases earlier than 1884, produced a consistent 14,000psi while those same exact loads, with greater powder compression, produced only about 10,000psi in modern Starline cases. John Kort mastered the 44-40 black powder loads constantly knocking down steel javlina at 300 meters using Swiss/Goex powders and the Lyman 427098 design bullets.

Most revolvers shooters use pistol powders, mainly Unique for groups. Even back in the early 1920's, pistol powders were suggested for revolvers although rifle powders were still available, Dupont's SR80 and Dupont's "Sharpshooter" rifle powders.

too continue would be most boring and only applies to the 44-40, not the 38/357 original topic...but certainly busts many myths about the 44-40. I have compiled tons of information on the 44-40 cartridge website for those interested in that cartridge: https://curtisshawk21.wixsite.com/44centerfire

At some point I would like to address the 38/357 loads just to see what could be accomplished.


...and yes, I do not like the looks of the New Henrys, just the 1860

[Michael J. Spangler]

Thanks for the info.
I guess I need to do a little work to chase this around.

[Michael J. Spangler]

I’m going to load some 357s this week to play with too. I’ve had luck with them at the 300 yard gong.
I’ve been wanting a tang sight for this girl but I don’t want to drill and tap through the model markings.
Maybe I need to spring for an MVA

[Savvy Jack]

I just picked up a scope for the 44-40 73', hope to try it this weekend. I wanted it for 100 targets. Normal loads.
244242

I did get to the range this morning to give this new scope a try. I really like it but the set screws started to get loose after only three shots of light loads. Plus I left my glasses at home. I will do a little maintenance and revisit the range.

The target is from 100 yards, great potential.
244334

The second target is from 25 yards using my Revolver...lots of fun!!!
244335

[jimb16]

Maybe I expect too much. I'm grumbling about 2 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards. I know it can do better. I just haven't found the right combination....

[Savvy Jack]

Update:

I finally got me new front scope mount and headed off to the range today. The purpose of the scope, to prove the rifle not the shooter,

245171
100 Yards with only 6.4gr of Trail Boss and a 200gr Big Lube bullet.
1" Squares, 4" x 4" target

245173


245172
Target to the left is 25 yards
Target in scope is 100 yards

265 yard video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJVoFdP9kIg

[Michael J. Spangler]

Nice shooting Jack!

I just went into the reloading room and realized I had a handful of coated bullets sitting around (99 of them.... boy thats frustrating)
So I loaded them up and loaded another half dozen of the lubed bullets with the addition of an aluminum gas check (from some vendor on here who I believe is now gone)
So we shall see how they shoot tomorrow.

[Savvy Jack]

Nice shooting Jack!

I just went into the reloading room and realized I had a handful of coated bullets sitting around (99 of them.... boy thats frustrating)
So I loaded them up and loaded another half dozen of the lubed bullets with the addition of an aluminum gas check (from some vendor on here who I believe is now gone)
So we shall see how they shoot tomorrow.

Good luck! Keep tryind and eventually you will find that sweet load!

[Michael J. Spangler]

Thanks Jack!

[bigted]

I just picked up a scope for the 73', hope to try it this weekend. I wanted it for 100 targets. Normal loads.
244242

Would shore like to see closeups of the scope mount! Can not imagine how to mount a scope on a 73 rifle.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Well the coated bullets shot a little better tonight and managed some hits.
However the thunder storm rolling in killed the lighting so that didn't help.
I'll bring the Marlin next week to compare the same loads in that rifle.

We did get to shoot a buddy's Marlin in 44
With the factory loads I could hear the bullets whizzing down range. They did not stabilize at all.
With the RCBS 250K bullet coated with Hi-Tek and sized to .430" They shot like a dream and kept ringing the 200 yard steel as long as you did your part.

[bigted]

Ok just watched the last vid to the end. I see it is rather side mounted.

Do the side mount come with the scope? Is that a Leatherwood scope? Magnification?

[Savvy Jack]

Ok just watched the last vid to the end. I see it is rather side mounted.

Do the side mount come with the scope? Is that a Leatherwood scope? Magnification?

Bigted, here is a link to some details.
https://castbulletassoc.org/forum/thread/scoped-winchester-73/


Also the 44-40 Cartridge website.
https://curtisshawk21.wixsite.com/44centerfire/post/scoped-winchester-1873

I am in no way an author, I have bad grammar skills and lack language skills!!!

[Savvy Jack]

Well the coated bullets shot a little better tonight and managed some hits.
However the thunder storm rolling in killed the lighting so that didn't help.
I'll bring the Marlin next week to compare the same loads in that rifle.

We did get to shoot a buddy's Marlin in 44
With the factory loads I could hear the bullets whizzing down range. They did not stabilize at all.
With the RCBS 250K bullet coated with Hi-Tek and sized to .430" They shot like a dream and kept ringing the 200 yard steel as long as you did your part.

Sounded like you guys had a blast with the 44!!!!

Can't wait to see your 38/357 results.

[Michael J. Spangler]

I'm going to play with the 38s again this week.
Last week I opted to hear the steel ring for sure and with my Pedersoli Sharps I kept it singing all night.
I cast some more 358156 this week but water dropped them to see if hardness will help. I also loaded some MP 356130BB HiTek coated. Loaded over 4.5 grains of bullseye. Lets see how they do.
Then I got to thinking. I used to cast with a 2 cavity 358156 that I reamed out the gas check shank....... Could those have been the magic loads. The one I'm shooting now is a 4 cavity mould and I shoot them bare bottomed.
I don't know. I don't think that's the issue but I guess I've changed more variables that I thought over the years.
I'm going to scrub the bores really well this week too. Just encase I've got some lead in there slowing me down.

I swear I shot better with my new Vaquero at 200 last week than I've been doing with the 1894 or the 1873 for a few months

[Michael J. Spangler]

Alright I decided to break down the rifles and give them a good cleaning. The 1873 didn't seem very dirty at all but OH BOY was the 1894 dirty!
It took a whole lot of patches and a little scrubbing to get the bore clean. It didn't look like leading at all when I looked down the bore but there was plenty of dirty patches!
So lets see how they shoot tomorrow night

[Savvy Jack]

I have not cleaned mine in at least 500 rounds!! Takes a few fowling shots just to get back on track....your 94 wont shoot worth a toot now....J/K...that's my excuse when I have a bad day at the range.

[Michael J. Spangler]

I have not cleaned mine in at least 500 rounds!! Takes a few fowling shots just to get back on track....your 94 wont shoot worth a toot now....J/K...that's my excuse when I have a bad day at the range.

Hahahah.
This hasn’t been cleaned in thousands of rounds. :bigsmyl2:

[Savvy Jack]

Hahahah.
This hasn’t been cleaned in thousands of rounds. :bigsmyl2:

[smilie=w:

[Michael J. Spangler]

Ok so I brought the 1894 and it shot very consistent but about a foot to left at 200.
I’m wondering if maybe the sights got bumped at some point. It seems awfully weird to hit tothe left like that.
Any ideas?

[Savvy Jack]

Ok so I brought the 1894 and it shot very consistent but about a foot to left at 200.
I’m wondering if maybe the sights got bumped at some point. It seems awfully weird to hit tothe left like that.
Any ideas?

Interestingly my higher velocity loads do the same thing with the 44-40....but the lower velocity aint much better
246445
25 yards

246446
100 yards

[Savvy Jack]

More low velocity stuff with different bullets. POA is, well point of aim,,,the circle just shows how tight the groups are.....and I use the word Tight loosely...lol

246448

246449

246450

246451

[Michael J. Spangler]

Interesting.....
I need to play with this some more.
On a side note I managed a shot on the 200 yard gong with my Vaquero and my buddy's 2nd Gen Colt
Only shot 12 shots. Danced around it a bit but got there pretty quick.

[Savvy Jack]

Interesting.....
I need to play with this some more.
On a side note I managed a shot on the 200 yard gong with my Vaquero and my buddy's 2nd Gen Colt
Only shot 12 shots. Danced around it a bit but got there pretty quick.

Fun ain't it?

This is usually the reactions I get.....

You cant hit anything with that caliber....okay, you can't get good groups @ 100 yards......okay, you can't hit anything past 150 yards....okay, that caliber won't kill anything past 150 yards!!!

This is why I enjoy the range when I am there alone, it never ends!!!!!!

They are like Democrats, you just can't please them!!

[Michael J. Spangler]

Fun ain't it?

This is usually the reactions I get.....

You cant hit anything with that caliber....okay, you can't get good groups @ 100 yards......okay, you can't hit anything past 150 yards....okay, that caliber won't kill anything past 150 yards!!!

This is why I enjoy the range when I am there alone, it never ends!!!!!!

They are like Democrats, you just can't please them!!

HAHAHHA thats my favorite part of going to the range. Watching the guys with scoped *** missing shots on the steel at 200/300 and whacking it with an old lever gun or single shot.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Ok so tonight I dragged the 73 to the range and lined up on the 200 yard steel. I started with a MP 356-130 BB coated with Hi-Tek.
Very consistent and got a few rings on the steel once I got my sight picture straight.

Swapped out to my 358156 load and rang the steel a couple more times and was just a little low but perfect windage the next couple times.

So I guessing scrubbing the bore from time to time doesn’t hurt. :bigsmyl2:

[Savvy Jack]

This morning...

Uberti Winchester 73' chambered 44-40, imported by Cabelas!
Malcom Scope

246867

[Michael J. Spangler]

This morning...

Uberti Winchester 73' chambered 44-40, imported by Cabelas!
Malcom Scope

246867

I would call that a success. interesting. Reloader 7. I would think that would be too slow for a 44/40

[Savvy Jack]

I would call that a success. interesting. Reloader 7. I would think that would be too slow for a 44/40

Thanks!!

Reloder 7 was a published load for the 240gr lead bullet for the 44-40. 23.5gr max load was used by Hercules in 1995, "Modern Reloading Second Edition 2003" manual, and Alliant 2005. I have seen it in several places including Lee's 44-40, 3 Die pamphlet. Estimated 1,290fps @ 12,100CUP...10% to 20% more power than a 200gr lead bullet at that same velocity. However, Hercules and Alliant calls for Remington 2 1/2 primers. Thus I don't use WLP's but rather CCI-300's

[Michael J. Spangler]

Interesting.
44/40 is tempting. There’s a Navy Arms 1866 44/40 locally. It’s old but appears to be in good condition.
I think he’s asking $750.
Local guys is selling a NIB 1873 from Uberti for $750. Seems a better deal.

[Savvy Jack]

Interesting.
44/40 is tempting. There’s a Navy Arms 1866 44/40 locally. It’s old but appears to be in good condition.
I think he’s asking $750.
Local guys is selling a NIB 1873 from Uberti for $750. Seems a better deal.

Take note of the chamber pressure on my targets. As we all know the max PSI is 11,000psi/13,000cup. Most, if not all load data I have seen is listed as cup. These loads I just posted could exceed 12,000psi, about 14,000cup...on a hot day AND/or if using large diameter bullets in small bore barrels. Many old loading manuals from the 30's called for 16,000 but doesn't not say if it is cup or psi. I'd bet 16,000cup since psi is seldom used, even today.

[Michael J. Spangler]

That makes sense. I’m guessing though that these rifles can handle more than that. Given the same platform for 357 magnum.
No need to push the pressures though. The accuracy is great and plenty of energy to get the job done.

[Savvy Jack]

That makes sense. I’m guessing though that these rifles can handle more than that. Given the same platform for 357 magnum.
No need to push the pressures though. The accuracy is great and plenty of energy to get the job done.

I will agree but try to stay quiet on the forums. A too lightly crimped bullet can bulge a barrel quick!!!

[Michael J. Spangler]

Why would the lightly crimped bullet bulge the barrel?