44 Special Uberti 1873

[Warhawk]

I just ordered a Cimarron (Uberti) 1873 Marshal in 44 Special. I’m more anxious to get this one than I have been for any gun in a long time. Uberti has also made some 1866’s in 44 Special, anyone here got one?

[Jedman]

No I don’t have one but it sound like a great cartridge for the 73. I have owned a single shot rifle in 44 special and it was a joy to shoot and was very effective as a deer gun.

Jedman

[smithnframe]

All of my Uberti revolvers are top notch!

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have a custom Win '92 in 44 Special, 26" barrel with full magazine that holds 14 rounds. Wonderful cowboy action rifle!:Fire:

https://i.imgur.com/4xPO6L7.jpg

[derek45]

I have a Dixie Gun works Old model in 44 special.

I love it. I refinished the grips

https://i.imgur.com/zPcbMNm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0FRtoHy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gyqmcLr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IZAnuis.jpg

[Warhawk]

I have a Dixie Gun works Old model in 44 special.

I love it. I refinished the grips

https://i.imgur.com/zPcbMNm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0FRtoHy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gyqmcLr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IZAnuis.jpg

I’ve been looking for a 4 3/4” 44 Special for a while now. I messed around and didn’t buy a USFA when I should have.

[Warhawk]

I picked up the 1873 this morning, and stopped by the range on the way home. The ammo I took was loaded with SWC bullets and it didn’t want to feed them. I had to jiggle the lever some for each round to get it to feed. No big deal, I’ll just have to load some round nose bullets for it. It’s accurate, at least easy to make hits with. I’ll get some pics of it up soon.

[ddixie884]

Post a picture when you can, please.........

[jimb16]

RNFP bullets work well in 73s.

[Warhawk]

I remembered to take a few pics of the 1873. I’ll get better pics when I get a chance to take it somewhere more photogenic.

Saddle ring carbine with 18 inch barrel, flip up rear sight, case hardened hammer and lever.

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[Bazoo]

Dang man, that's sweet for a new rifle. I didn't know they made a 44 special. I'm interested to know about the front sight, as in how tight it is and how well it stays put. I can't stand the look of the muzzle end when the barrel band is front of the sight.

Wallace, what vintage? Very nice. Was it a caliber conversion or a rebore?

[Warhawk]

The front sight is part of the barrel band, rock solid.

[square butte]

Front sight as part of the barrel band is ok - Unless the windage is off to the left or right significantly enough that it cannot be correct sufficiently with just the rear sight. I have seen one like this over the years in Uberti saddle ring carbines. It was an 1866

[Bazoo]

Thanks for letting me know. Reason I ask is, the barrel band on my winchester 94 ain't exactly rock solid.

[Warhawk]

This one is good, fortunately because that type of rear sight isn't adjustable for elevation except for long range when you flip up the ladder.

I just got a box of powder coated 200 gr RNFP bullets today. 500 of these should keep me shooting for a while.

[Bazoo]

I'm interested to know if it'll feed the Keith SWCs.

[JoeJames]

I have been loading 44 Specials for the last six years. So far I have stuck to 240 grain SWC's - either Speer swaged .430" or with Oregon Trail - .431". Never have tried a 200 grain boolit. Got me a Lee double cavity .430 - 240 mold in a few weeks ago and have been casting .430" - 240 grain SWC's with it. Been using 6.5 grains of Unique for my home cast and the Oregon Trail boolits, and 6.8 grains for the Speer swaged. All running about 890 fps in my Ruger BH 4 1/2". Let us know how the 200 grain boolits do.

[Walks]

I've had very good luck with several different bullets in .44Spl/Mag loads in Rifles.
Best is the N.O.E. #432-247-RF, crimped over the ogive it gives excellent accuracy and functions perfectly in Uberti, Win 94 & 92 and Marlins. Also B92's.
Other good bullets are Lyman #429667 & #429478.
The Lee #429-200-RF works well for a light weight bullet.

The Rear sight on all 3 of My Uberti Rifles and carbines have been replaced by Marbles Full Buckhorns. Front sights are either replaced by Marbles 3/32" Brass bead or a Brass bead has been added to those carbines that have a fixed front sight.

[Warhawk]

I'm interested to know if it'll feed the Keith SWCs.

No, that’s what I had loaded to try in it. The shoulder of the bullet would hang up on the edge of the chamber.

[Warhawk]

I have been loading 44 Specials for the last six years. So far I have stuck to 240 grain SWC's - either Speer swaged .430" or with Oregon Trail - .431". Never have tried a 200 grain boolit. Got me a Lee double cavity .430 - 240 mold in a few weeks ago and have been casting .430" - 240 grain SWC's with it. Been using 6.5 grains of Unique for my home cast and the Oregon Trail boolits, and 6.8 grains for the Speer swaged. All running about 890 fps in my Ruger BH 4 1/2". Let us know how the 200 grain boolits do.

These are what I’m going to try. Also hoping they will make my Browning 92 in 44 Magnum more accurate. I said they were powder coated, they’re not they are polymer coated.

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https://www.badmanbullets.com/OnlineStore/products.php?cat=44+Caliber+200+Grain+RNFP+Polymer +Coated

[JoeJames]

These are what I’m going to try. Also hoping they will make my Browning 92 in 44 Magnum more accurate. I said they were powder coated, they’re not they are polymer coated.

270682

https://www.badmanbullets.com/OnlineStore/products.php?cat=44+Caliber+200+Grain+RNFP+Polymer +CoatedI looked at the website you mentioned, and they claim those are .430" in diameter; so they ought to work. Being conservative about most everything including bullets, I am very curious as to whether they will stabilize as short as they are. Proof is in the shooting. I am might fond of Unique, and that is the powder I try first. But I shoot fairly reduced loads in my Rossi R92 - running at about 1050 fps.

[Warhawk]

I looked at the website you mentioned, and they claim those are .430" in diameter; so they ought to work. Being conservative about most everything including bullets, I am very curious as to whether they will stabilize as short as they are. Proof is in the shooting. I am might fond of Unique, and that is the powder I try first. But I shoot fairly reduced loads in my Rossi R92 - running at about 1050 fps.

I bought these bullets partly to try in my Browning B92. It has a 1:38 twist rate, and I suspect a .432 or .433 bore, exactly the SAAMI specs for a 44 Mag rifle. It has never been accurate, none of the half dozen 44 Mag leverguns I’ve owned have been as accurate as the same gun in 357, 45 Colt, etc.

I’m hoping these 200 grain bullets will shoot more accurately in the B92, that slow twist barrel should shoot better with lighter bullets. I also bought some 200 and 210 grain Speer jacketed bullets to try in it.

The 1873 in 44 Special doesn’t have the handicaps of an oversize bore and a ridiculously slow twist barrel. After just the little bit of shooting I’ve done, I can tell that it’s more accurate than the B92 already.

The 44-40 standard load used a 200 grain bullet.

[JoeJames]

I bought these bullets partly to try in my Browning B92. It has a 1:38 twist rate, and I suspect a .432 or .433 bore, exactly the SAAMI specs for a 44 Mag rifle. It has never been accurate, none of the half dozen 44 Mag leverguns I’ve owned have been as accurate as the same gun in 357, 45 Colt, etc.

I’m hoping these 200 grain bullets will shoot more accurately in the B92, that slow twist barrel should shoot better with lighter bullets. I also bought some 200 and 210 grain Speer jacketed bullets to try in it.

The 1873 in 44 Special doesn’t have the handicaps of an oversize bore and a ridiculously slow twist barrel. After just the little bit of shooting I’ve done, I can tell that it’s more accurate than the B92 already.

The 44-40 standard load used a 200 grain bullet.I had a Henry in 44 Special/44 Magnum that was horribly inaccurate. It was bored way loose. Finally I got in some Oregon Trail laser cast in .431" and the problem was solved. HSM Cowboy action 44 Specials key-holed at 15 yards. Never had one do that before. First picture is the key-hole with the HSM boolit, and the second picture is with the Oregon Trail .431 boolit. I traded off the Henry for a Rossi R92 because the Henry was just too heavy at 8.5 pounds to tote around in the woods. Last picture is of a target I shot with the Rossi - 44 Magnum case, 7 grains of Unique, and the Oregon Trail .431" laser cast 240 grain.

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[Warhawk]

Joe James ... look up the SAAMI specs for 44 Mag in a rifle, and compare that with the same chambering in a handgun. The rifle has a larger bore and almost double the rate of twist. I have no idea why they are so different, or different at all really. I’ve owned a lot of 44 Mag rifles over the years and none have them have been better than mediocre accuracy wise.

[JoeJames]

Joe James ... look up the SAAMI specs for 44 Mag in a rifle, and compare that with the same chambering in a handgun. The rifle has a larger bore and almost double the rate of twist. I have no idea why they are so different, or different at all really. I’ve owned a lot of 44 Mag rifles over the years and none have them have been better than mediocre accuracy wise.That certainly seems to be the case. I have been shooting for over 50 years, reloading for close on 40 years, and never had one key-hole like my example. With the Henry I just kept on increasing the diameter of the 240 grain SWC (HSM must have been .428 or so) until it got accurate for me. Where I shoot because of tree cover probably 60 yards is extreme range. The .431 shoots closer than I can shoot, so problem solved. My .430 240 grain SWC home cast bullets are as accurate as I can shoot in my Ruger BH. BTW I have not loaded any of my home cast .430's in 44 Magnum for my Rossi R92, and it would probably be a good idea to see if they will do as well in that as they do in the Ruger (excellent point you have raised) But I am also curious to see how your 200 grain bullets do.

[Warhawk]

That certainly seems to be the case. I have been shooting for over 50 years, reloading for close on 40 years, and never had one key-hole like my example. With the Henry I just kept on increasing the diameter of the 240 grain SWC (HSM must have been .428 or so) until it got accurate for me. Where I shoot because of tree cover probably 60 yards is extreme range. The .431 shoots closer than I can shoot, so problem solved. My .430 240 grain SWC home cast bullets are as accurate as I can shoot in my Ruger BH. BTW I have not loaded any of my home cast .430's in 44 Magnum for my Rossi R92, and it would probably be a good idea to see if they will do as well in that as they do in the Ruger (excellent point you have raised) But I am also curious to see how your 200 grain bullets do.

Sounds like we are about the same age, I'm 60. I also have a Rossi 92, a stainless Trapper in 44 Mag. Believe it or not it's noticeably more accurate than my Browning 92. But all I've shot in it are Magnum loads with a 240 grain jacketed bullet.

[JoeJames]

Sounds like we are about the same age, I'm 60. I also have a Rossi 92, a stainless Trapper in 44 Mag. Believe it or not it's noticeably more accurate than my Browning 92. But all I've shot in it are Magnum loads with a 240 grain jacketed bullet.I am nine years older, and I get no joy from full bore 44 Magnum loads in a five pound lever action. Even in the Henry they thumped me around. Since 60 yards or so is max around here ...1050 fps suits me right down to the ground.

[Warhawk]

I am nine years older, and I get no joy from full bore 44 Magnum loads in a five pound lever action. Even in the Henry they thumped me around. Since 60 yards or so is max around here ...1050 fps suits me right down to the ground.

I’m with you on the recoil. It’s amazing to me how bad the 44 Mag kicks in a levergun, when the 357 Mag in the same gun is a ***** cat. It doesn’t help any that both of my 44 levers have a steel buttplate.

[JoeJames]

I’m with you on the recoil. It’s amazing to me how bad the 44 Mag kicks in a levergun, when the 357 Mag in the same gun is a ***** cat. It doesn’t help any that both of my 44 levers have a steel buttplate.Still have not figured this out : my cousin gave me some store bought 44 Magnum to shoot in the Henry. The lighter bullet @210-220 thumped significantly more than the 240 grain factory stuff. Course who knows what or how much powder they put in factory made ammo. In that big old heavy Henry, hell just a pound lighter than an M1, the 240's were tolerable, but the lighter ones were feisty. Far worse is my old Marlin 1895 in 45-70 though; have not shot it in 35 years or more.

[Warhawk]

https://i.imgur.com/8eY79F1.jpg
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[missionary5155]

That is a handsome Uberti ! I will have to look into a 44 Special as I also a very fond of the caliber.
I would not be surprised if that outfit would fire 44 Russian OK.

[Bazoo]

Man that thing is sweet. I want one bad now. Does anyone know how they hold up to heavier 44 special loads? Skeeter loads or into the starting magnum range?

[JoeJames]

Mighty fine looking rifle. I'd be tempted if I didn't already have my Rossi.

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[leadeye]

Good looking rifle, I have an 1866 Uberti, but it's in 44-40.

[missionary5155]

Nothing wrong with the 44 WCF ! We use alot of 220 grain FNFB in all our Winchesters happily..