CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Never seen or heard of such a critter. Has anyone actually seen one, or heard of somebody who bought one? Sounds like a unicorn. 
45 colt in a lever rifle
- Thread starter Thompsongunner
- Start date
- Status
bergmen
Member.
I detune only beacuse of the cylnder gap on the Blackhawks releasing a bit of pressure that the '94 can't. I have fired the 25 grainers in the Marlin and may go back to them.
The reloading manuals I have are very poor at advising on loads for the Marlin 1894 rifle (and equivalents) using W296 powder. I am just in the beginning stages of experimenting with published loads for the Marlin and may make adjustments as we move along.
Dan
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well here is one for sale so they must have made them?
http://www.gunsamerica.com/91940144.../Uberti_1873_Carbine_Blue_44_Mag_19_34126.htm
Still sounds like a bad idea to me, but what do I know.
I would venture to say the .44 Mag version might use different steel or heat treating then the .45 Colt model.
And it for sure is proof tested at much higher pressure in Italy then the other calibers are.
rc
wleoff
Member
There is a lot of misinformation here. First, on a 1873, the toggles aren't the weak links; the thin receiver metal where the barrel and magazine tube attach to the receiver is the weak point in a 1873. Newer, current, made 1873s have stronger metal in the receiver so failures at the barrel/magazine/receiver interface are less common. The oldest 1873 that I have was made in 1896 in 38-40. I've shot 1873s for over 40 years and never had a toggle bend. I did have a receiver crack.
As you can see in this photo, I also shoot a number of 45 Colts,
A good 45 Colt target round is a cast 200 grain handload. I use Titegroup powder with 200 grain bullets. I've shot thousands of this round in SASS, #9662. For hunting, I use 250 grain Hornady XTPs. I use to use 300 grain XTPs or 325 grain Buffalo Bore's , but the 250 grain works great on deer on down, with much less recoil.
I would hunt with a Marlin 336 or Redhawk in 45 Colt. You could use a 1873, but it's marginal.
The 1873 in 45 Colt is a fun gun. Just don't go above the loads specified in a good reloading manual. If you don't reload, just buy cowboy level loads.
I've also got a Rossi Ranch Hand in 45 Colt which makes no sense, but if fun to shoot.
As you can see in this photo, I also shoot a number of 45 Colts,
A good 45 Colt target round is a cast 200 grain handload. I use Titegroup powder with 200 grain bullets. I've shot thousands of this round in SASS, #9662. For hunting, I use 250 grain Hornady XTPs. I use to use 300 grain XTPs or 325 grain Buffalo Bore's , but the 250 grain works great on deer on down, with much less recoil.
I would hunt with a Marlin 336 or Redhawk in 45 Colt. You could use a 1873, but it's marginal.
The 1873 in 45 Colt is a fun gun. Just don't go above the loads specified in a good reloading manual. If you don't reload, just buy cowboy level loads.
I've also got a Rossi Ranch Hand in 45 Colt which makes no sense, but if fun to shoot.
Last edited:
ReloaderFred
Member
The SASS gunsmiths aren't encountering cracked receivers, but are encountering bent toggle links, so in the current production replicas, that's where the weakness is.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
Red Cent
Member
SonOfaGun. First I ever heard of the 44 in a '73. Found some CAS City posts in 2010 about 'em. Huh.
The cartridge is fully enclosed by a barrel. You might pull an "Elmer Keith" with smokeless and push the bolt through your skull, but the "receiver" will not blow. They may crack for some reason but that bolt and toggles are the weakness. When you add the "looseness" of headspace, toggles and pins, a safety pin size retaining pin, you have the makings of being hurt with a strong load. I am aware of the new retaining "key".
Fire a '73 out of battery and you will need some new glasses and you may need some needle and catgut. I done seen it with my own eyes.
The cartridge is fully enclosed by a barrel. You might pull an "Elmer Keith" with smokeless and push the bolt through your skull, but the "receiver" will not blow. They may crack for some reason but that bolt and toggles are the weakness. When you add the "looseness" of headspace, toggles and pins, a safety pin size retaining pin, you have the makings of being hurt with a strong load. I am aware of the new retaining "key".
Fire a '73 out of battery and you will need some new glasses and you may need some needle and catgut. I done seen it with my own eyes.
Red Cent
Member
ThompsonGunner, did you get out of the line of fire. Did you get it "tuned"?
Thompsongunner
Member
LOL, R.C. I been away from the pc because of work. Thanks to everyone here I have learned alot about the 73! I just need to get more brass than what I have so I can start doing some load up to see what kind of accuracy I can get out of it. But everytime we go shooting my Sweetie pie takes it over and as long as it has minute of bucket shes happy with it.
What would be some good brass to buy in quanity?
What would be some good brass to buy in quanity?
bergmen
Member.
I have found Starline to be excellent and very low cost. Even though you won't be loading these to flame thrower standards it would be good to know that Starline brass handles them without flinching. They make good stuff.
Dan
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The only pistol cartridge brass that I will actually buy is Starline.
Red Cent
Member
The 45 Colt brass is kinda pricey, relatively speaking. When I shot the 45 competitively, I picked up once fired from Wideners. Used them for local matches and practice. Used virgin Starline at state matches and above. The smallest crack in a case can cause the bullet to be set back in the case and lock up the rifle. Been there.
Don't get nickel when buying new brass. Cost more and will crack easily.
Just checked. Wideners does not have once fired and 45 Colt is out of stock. Starline is backordered.
Don't get nickel when buying new brass. Cost more and will crack easily.
Just checked. Wideners does not have once fired and 45 Colt is out of stock. Starline is backordered.
bergmen
Member.
Midway:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=941195841
$21.99 per 100, about $10.00 cheaper than any other brass and at least as good.
Dan
Thompsongunner
Member
Thanks for all the replys! I have 1000rds on its way from Midway. If some of you would like to share some of your mid level loads that work good for you please share! It would really save me some time.
bergmen
Member.
I studied several reloading manuals I have (Speer, Hornady, Nosler, Hodgden, Winchester) and my favorite mid-level load is 8.0 grains of W231 under any choice of 250 grain bullet. Powder burns clean, every shot consistant and accurate, lots of fun. Been using this load for 20 years or more.
In our area, there is a bullet caster named Bear Creek Bullets. He molds hard cast with a dry lubricant coating the entire bullet. Very reasonable in cost, easy to load, zero leading, very accurate.
Dan
hard to find, worth the effort
As far as crimping goes, I found these and ordered up what I needed to cover my lever action rifle reloads:
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_54&products_id=98
Lee Special Order rifle type open top collet Factory Crimp Die for the 45 Long Colt
Allows me to use my 230gr.TruncatedCone Penn bullets without being concerned about crimp groove placement.
As far as crimping goes, I found these and ordered up what I needed to cover my lever action rifle reloads:
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_54&products_id=98
Lee Special Order rifle type open top collet Factory Crimp Die for the 45 Long Colt
Allows me to use my 230gr.TruncatedCone Penn bullets without being concerned about crimp groove placement.
bergmen
Member.
- Status
