Uberti 1873

[Joespapa]

Thinking about a '73 big bore. Looking for recommendations from current owners. Do you prefer .44 or .45? Will these rifles handle magnum loads?
Would appreciate any and all input.

[MJN77]

I have a 20 inch barreled short rifle in . 44-40 and like it very much. I have hunted with .44-40 rifles for about sixteen years and have had no problems. With the bottle neck on the 44s, clean up is simple since there is no blow back. Have not had a 45 rifle so can't comment. NO, these guns were not made to and will not stand up to magnum loads. If you want a magnum rifle, get a Marlin or a Rossi.

[Mean Bob Mean]

Don't shoot the hot loads in these.  If you want a hot .45, you really should buy an 1892.

Mine is a 24.5 inch barreled .45 Colt.  You can see it here:  http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,48858.0.html.  It is butter smooth and accurate.  I would not trade it for any 1892 because it is fine, fine, fine.  I would like an 1892, I want one of everything, but if forced to choose I'd stick with my 1873. 

My personal opinion is that if you need "magnum" .45 loads, buy an 1886 in .45-70 and put an end to the critter.  They have far more versatility and downrange capability with heavy slugs than any .45 Colt ever could.   

Best of everything,

Mean Bob

PS

If you live near Tallahassee, Florida let me know and I will get you out to shoot it.  A trip to the range with one would inform you greatly. 

[BobinIL]

The 73 was meant to shoot the 44-40 and that is what I think works best in the 73 action.  It is a beautiful gun and can be made to run fast.   It is good enough for small game up to deer at close range and in its day it did a fine job on 2 legged critters as well.  If you are looking for something to shoot magnum loads you must go for the 92 action or the Marlin 94.  They are much stronger actions.  I have a 73 for fun and show and a Marlin 94 in 44mag for hunting. 

[Blackpowder Burn]

+1 - stay with the 44-40. 

It's also perfect for black powder when you are called to the Dark Side. 

[Shotgun Franklin]

I have a .45. It's a great gun. I don't get blow by mainly because I load at the top end of standard loadings. If you use or load ammo that stays within the standard non-plus P range you'll never have a problem. Remember that the '73 clone is built to take .357 pressure levels and they are much higher than the .45.
If you use a .45 handgun then the .45 is your best choice likewise if you carry a .44-40 handgun why carry a rifle that uses a different round?

[Grapeshot]

I bought a 1873 Winchester Replica from Navy Arms back in 1981.  The first thing I did was to re-barrel it to .45 Colt.  I have run 250 and 300 grain bullets through it using Alliant Unique in the 8 to 9 grain range.  I also used Alliant 2400 (17 Grains) behind a 255 grain Lee RNFP when I thought I needed more power.  Now that I also own a '73 Short rifle in .44 WCF I just use a case full of 2Fg, compress it and seat a 200 grain MAV Dutchman and proceed to shoot them at my monthly CAS Matches.

I have also used 777 loaded exactly the same way and have been able to knock down swingers at these matches.  That was before I learned that I was not supposed to compress the 777.  Needless to say, I went back to 2Fg.