Are there any enjoyers of the "other" cartridge single action of the era?
I have recently started to become fascinated with single actions at first with a New Model Flatop Blackhawk Bisley in 44 Special which is very nice indeed, and unlike many came to me with properly sized throats, not much of a barrel construction, and it shoots well with the usual suspects. I really enjoy the skeeter load 7.5 Grains of Unique with MP's clone H&G 503. Sometimes I heat it up to 8 grains. It's almost like target ammo and is very mild shooting. I have just a few complaints. 1) the Bisley grip frame is too large and heavy for me and replacement stocks have only helped this a little 2) The rear sight pin drifts out especially when you fire heavy loads. 3) Even after a professional trigger job there is some creep and it just doesn't break like an icicle like all my S&Ws do.
I wanted a companion revolver for my Marlin 1894 in 357 Mag so I purchased a very affordable Uberti 1873 SAA in 357. Despite having almost a 10 thousands cylinder gap, it shoots well with the 358429 and even the copper diapered and jacketed bullets. Not great, but ok. Mine has a retractable firing pin which works well and the trigger is about as good as the Blackhawk--that is not as good as a S&W but serviceable--and I've done nothing to it but clean and lubricate the internals. I am just blown away by the much celebrated 1851 Navy grip frame on these. It's too small. My pinky has nowhere to go, and when I hammer it back it touches the web of my hand. To me the 1860 Colt Army (my favorite grip) and the 1858 Remington (close second) cap and ball revolvers have the best grips!
It's rather embarrassing I suppose but I recently learned that Remington continued to make the 1858 pattern revolver updated it into a fully cartridge design ending with the model 1890 which I just like the look of. Right barrel length, Looks sturdy but not chunky. I especially like their grips, which seem like the 1858 but slightly elongated and pushed back. This would result in a forward heavy balance which I find helps with accuracy and an easy reach to the hammer.
Uberti makes a reproduction which has some favorable reviews, but all the ones I've read/watched are by people why don't shoot cast bullets for accuracy or at much of a distance. I was thinking of taking a dip in the 45 Colt pool with this one, and noticed that there are 45 ACP conversion cylinders for these, which means being a CIP regulated product, means these are proof tested at 1690 Bar/25,000 PSI. These would seem to be plenty safe for full powered standard 45 Colt loads or even slightly hotter ones, but certainly not with full size blackhawk/contender 45 colt loads.
Has anyone worked with these for cast bullet accuracy out to about 50 yards? What can be expected of the throats, the barrel? Constrictions? Trigger quality? Are the cones and crowns and throats cut so it will work well? Any favorites for bullets?