Authenticity Vs. Deals

[Whiskey Johnson]

 Here is MY dilemma. I did a little traveling today and found a new Uberti 1866 rifle in .45 Colt for $750.(Uberti website lists it at $925 MSRP) It has some minor damage on the front wood.

I know this is not an "authentic rifle caliber" and really want a '73 in 44-40. I have read that 44-40 is a much better caliber for BP/Sub. also.

I have a limited (by CAS standards) budget, and this looks tempting!

I already have a Ruger Vaquero in .45, and a Puma levergun in .44 mag. I know it is MY decision, but what would YOU do in my situation? 

[Irish Dave]

Whiskey:

If it were me and the price /gun you mentioned was an attractive deal, and I wanted it,  I'd buy it. (If nothing else, you should be able to swap later for an 1866 in .44-40 if you decide you don't care for the .45 Colt chambering.)

Now while I'm sure there are some who may disagree, I believe that calibers is one area where we 21st Century "cowpokes" have to face the facts regarding what's available today. Even NCOWS recognizes this fact and permits mismatched gun/caliber combinations due to availablilty of product in today's market.

The .44-40 is an original caliber and a good caliber and has a great reputation for being a good BP cartridge (due in no small part, I believe, to its thinner case walls, which allows the cartridge to more completely expand to fill the chamber on firing and prevent blowback etc.)

However, there are lots of pards shooting BP in .45LC rifles with significant success.
As always, the choice is up to you. Both cartridges are approved in that rifle for NCOWS or SASS.

On the other hand, you should probably ask yourself "Will I be satisfied with the '66 when what I really want is a '73?" If the answer is "no" I suspect it'll be less expensive in the long run to spend a few extra bucks now to buy the gun you really lust after in the first place.

Not sure I helped, but it's my best shot at the moment.

[River City John]

Whiskey,

don't put yourself through it a bit, you'll get the drizzles!

If it is saying Buy Me!, then go for it.
The calibre is approved and historical, the rifle is approved and historical, and Pards will give you tips on how to get the best possible performance out of that rifle/round using BP.

[Books OToole]

Whiskey;

I feel your pain.  When I first started out I wanted to go .44-40.

A friend pointed out that I already had a couple of .45 Colt pistols and I shoud go .45 Colt in a long gun.

So I bought a '66 in .45 Colt.  I have not regretted it at all.  It is a great shooter.

But...

Now I'm looking for a '66 in .44 Special so I can tweak it to shoot .44 Russian.
I can document those.

Books

[Fox Creek Kid]

PM me as I know of a company selling a '66 in 44-40 for much less. No, I don't own the company. 

[Dusty Tagalon]

My experience with 45 colt in rifle, blowback. With every shot, I got a puff around the eye. It happened both with an not NCOWS approved 94, & a Uberiti 1873. Some shooters told me, my loads were to low for rifle, thats why blowback occured. I had gotten rid of them before trying heavier loads.

Dusty

[Dr. Bob]

I shoot 45 LC in a rifle and have no blow back.  I shoot a slightly compressed load of Pyrodex.  Full power loads expand the 45 LC case just fine.  I'm shooting used brass with several different manufactures and have never had any problem.  Great BOOM,  great SMOKE, great FUN!!

[Will Blastem]

Ifn ya already got a Puma, sounds like yer about ta settle fer less than ya want all over again...The 73 ain't that much more...Instead of settlin AGAIN, I'd jes save a little more n buy that 73 yer dreamin of .

I went through the same thing a couple of years ago when I started collectin my firearms. I now have my "Codymatic 73" and love it...but now my Puma 92 is a safe queen (not that I don't like it too...it's fun ta use plinkin at 50 -100 yds).

[Tjackstephens]

Whiskey, sent you an e-mail about a 44/40 73 that a cowboy has for sale. TJ

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

Whiskey J, I shoot 99.9% BP in my '66 in 45 Colt.  Like Dr. Bob wrote, and Dusty referred to, the heavy charge with the heavy bullets is the secret to minimum blowback in these rifles.  Fill 'em up, tamp 'em down, use a big bullet and heavy crimp and they'll do fine.  LOTS of lube is the REAL secret to successful BP rifle shooting anyway - and for ANY caliber!

Just to be technical, 44-40 (44 WCF) isn't authentic to '66s ANYway!  Except for a few oddball conversions, the Rimfire 44 Henry and 44 Henry Flat were the only calibers from the factory.  (With the possible special order guns being the exception - that I know of.)  It took the '73 before the 44-40 was invented and used in these toggle rifles. 

$750 for a NEW Uberti '66 is a great price.  FCK says he knows where a '66 can be had for "much less."  If true, and NEW - BUY!  TJS knows where a used '73  can be had for your dream, so ...

Aint these kind of monumental decisions fun?!

[Whiskey Johnson]

Howdy!

Just to be technical, 44-40 (44 WCF) isn't authentic to '66s ANYway!  Except for a few oddball conversions, the Rimfire 44 Henry and 44 Henry Flat were the only calibers from the factory.  (With the possible special order guns being the exception - that I know of.)  It took the '73 before the 44-40 was invented and used in these toggle rifles. 

Leave it to the 1st shirt to straighten me out!....I KNEW the intro date of the 44-40, but didn't make the connection. I Got a "tip" from TJS, and have to do some checking on the whole FFL transfer thing in my area. As much as I would like "new", the 44-40 is a low enough pressure cartridge, and since I don't think there are any jacketed bullets shot in these rifles; wear shouldnt be too much of a concern. (but I have to be concerned about BP corrosion if buying sight unseen)

It is all fun, and everyone here is making it easier. Thanks Pard's!

[Whiskey Johnson]

Just an update..........

I went and ordered a Uberti '73 in .44-40. My logic is that I will go all out on PC weapons, and hat right out of the gate; and be a work in progress with the rest. When it comes to new guns, I can justify anything! 

Thanks for all of your input. Pards like you all make it easy to make the commitment.

[Irish Dave]

Congrats, Whiskey. I'm sure you'll be pleased.

(And by the way, we're always happy to help other pards spend their money.  )

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Just an update..........

I went and ordered a Uberti '73 in .44-40. My logic is that I will go all out on PC weapons, and hat right out of the gate; and be a work in progress with the rest. When it comes to new guns, I can justify anything! 

Thanks for all of your input. Pards like you all make it easy to make the commitment.

Cool!  Like Dave said - we love to help spend YOUR $$$s!

You won't be sorry!  Are you a reloader?  There are LOTS of good BP loading tips to be found on "The Darksider's Den" and its child board, "The Dark Arts."  The DS Den is more social in nature, and the Dark Arts has lots of good technical know-how and tips.  The Black Dawge ammo is all loaded like BP - I say "like" because it's loaded with a GOEX BP substitute.  Perfectly legal for competition and makes LOTS of smoke.  IF you have the money for it, you can get started there. 

As to "making the commitment" ... well, many of us should be committed, that's for sure!       (Speaking ONLY for myself, you unner-stand!)     


Don't forget what I said about LUBE - it's way more important than a little blowback.  Here's a few other (IMHO) important words to remember about loading Black Powder:

Dillon - Hornady
Lyman
Lee powder dippers
BigLube (tm) Boolits - 20-1 or 30-1
Hoppes #9 PLUS Black Powder Cleaner - Ballistol/moosemilk
Olive Oil (Sweet Oil) - Beeswax
GOEX 2f or 3f


and certainly ... patience

[Dr. Bob]

What Steel Horse Bailey said!!  Especially the part about being committed.  I have managed to elude it so far!