Advice needed for Winchester Model 1873 (Uberti Replica)

[ntex2000]

Am going to buy a Uberti replica of the Winchester 73'. Haven't decided on the 18" carbine, 20" short rifle, 24" sporting rifle, or the 30" long rifle. Am first trying to decide on what caliber. Choices are .357 Magnum, .38-40, .44-40 or .45 Long Colt. I'll be using it for cowboy action silhouette matches. Need help to determine which cartridge caliber will provide me with the greatest range and accuracy???

Also, as I understand it, the longer the barrel the greater the accuracy but am leaning towards either the 18" saddle ring carbine or the 24" sporting rifle model. The 30" just seems too long. Any advice or suggestions on barrel lenght would be much appreciated! By the way, the silhouettes I'll be shooting will range in distance from 40 meters to 100 meters.

 

[Red Cent]

I would choose the 357. Relatively cheap to reload and would have enough energy at 100 meters using a 158gr bullet. You may want to try the 357 and/or the 38 Spl with the 158 gr. and make sure the rifle will cycle them. While the 1873 has a decent OAL window, it can cause problems. The trajectory would be somewhat flatter allowing you to use the factory sights.

I would buy the 24" for silhouette simply because it would be heavy enough and long enough to hold steady. Offhand shooting with a short, light(er)) rifle is difficult. Sight radius would be a plus. The rifle would work very well in cowboy action shooting also.
I would buy the pistol grip. I have the pistol grip 1873 and I can attest it is more ergonomic to shoot compared to the straight stock.
You will want to change the factory front sight if it comes with the blade. Most install a gold or ivory bead. Much easier to pick up. A trigger job may be desired depending on how the rifle comes from the factory. Good 'smith may charge an hour of shop time.

 

[MattTheHat]

I've got one of the 20" ones in .357 Magnum. Shot it some today, as a matter of fact. Be sure to consider weight. With the octagon barrel, anything longer than 20" gets heavy quick.

-Matt