1866 Yellowboy vs 1873 Winchester

[LONE GROUSE]

I cant decide if I should get the yellowboy or the 73. I am kinda leanin towards the yellowboy but am concerned about the longevity of the brass receiver. My caliber of choice is .45 Colt and I make light cowboy loads that I use in my conversion revolver. The 66 im looking at is a cimarron, brand new for $825. This is over $200 less than the Uberti 73.
What do you all think

LoneGrouse

[Will Ketchum]

Some of the SASS top shooters use 66s and they shoot more in one week than most of us shoot in a year.

There have been several studies done regarding the durability of the brass frames.  They are quite strong with cowboy loads.

Will Ketchum

[Major 2]

Lets see..over $200 less and your asking on the Henry,  improved Henry board....

It's a no brainer....    

I've been shooting Henry's since 1980.... fact is it's an ordnance bronze and quite tough, I doubt you will ever wear out the Yellowboy...

[Sgt.Jake]

  I have got one of each,I shoot the 66 most often. I shoot black powder out of them and don't worry about wearing out the 66,either way you go you will like your choice.              Adios  Sgt. Jake

[Daniel Nighteyes]

I've been shooting a '66 carbine for three years now, from one to three matches a month, with "factory" cowboy loads.  I haven't noticed the least bit of change/deterioration in those three years, and I thoroughly disassemble/inspect/clean the thing about once a month.

[Flint]

I've been shooting a 66 rifle regularly at CAS matches for over 15 years, it hasn't broken yet.

[Driftwood Johnson]

I've been shooting Henry's since 1980.... fact is it's an ordnance bronze and quite tough, I doubt you will ever wear out the Yellowboy...

Major

What is your source of information on the alloy currently being used in Uberti Yellowboy frames?

[LONE GROUSE]

Howdy All,

Thank you very much for the advice on the improved Henry. Went and got her this morning, got her home , cleaned the barrel, oiled her up and shinned the brass for the first and last time. cant wait for this weekend when I will shoot a bunch of my reloads thru her. Will post with pics soon

LoneGrouse

[LONE GROUSE]

here is a pic. Shoot it tomarrow

LoneGrouse

[Daniel Nighteyes]

She's plumb purty, pard.  Enjoy!!!

[Sgt.Jake]

   Fantastic backround for a great gun,real purdy. I striped the lacquer off all the brass off mine the day I got it and started shooting black powder,last time I cleaned any of the brass on the outside of the 66. Finally taking on a real honest patina of the brass,looks like a 66 should, good luck with yours what ever you choose to do.     Adios  Sgt. Jake

[LONE GROUSE]

WOW,

Shot about 200 rounds thru her yesterday. She functioned flawlessly. The rounds i used , the same as for my 58 Remmi, are .250 gr Oregon Trail LRNFP .452 with 5.4 gr of Trail boss powder. Being new to reloading, although I loaded my 2200th bullet the other day, I havnt tried BP yet. But will soon. That will take me back to my muzzleloader days. Anyways after the first group of shots at 25 yds I was shooting a little low and to the left so I raised the rear sight 1 notch and that took care of the elevation. The shootin to the left I believe was me cause of the fairly heavy trigger pull. Once I settled down every thing went center. Then tried her at 50 yds- good results, every thing stayed center about 6.5" spread with 2 groups of 3 cloverleafed. Then at 100 yards was hitting the empty propane tank every time. GOD I love this gun. Needless to say the 58 stayed holstered all day. Im wondering when I start loadin BP will the Oregon Trail bullets still be a good choice? The reason I ask is cause I read somethin about the lube used in the groove with BP is important.  My next step is to get a screw driver set of the correct size and period for this gun so I can give her the proper cleaning she deserves. I guess I kinda go overboard with cleaning of my guns but I always have, that goes back to my muzzleloader days, plus you get to see and inspect the inards . Plus I want to redo the stocks. I put my first scratch in her yesterday and noticed it took off some of the clear coat. The wood has a nice grain to it and I bet it would look great with a nice hand rubbed finish.
This gun has really given me the "SPIRIT OF THE OLD WEST"
P.S. The 58 got jealous, Will shoot her next week also

LoneGrouse

[LONE GROUSE]

Sgt.Jake,

You mentioned the background of the pic i posted of the 66. Thats the coffee table my friend made me last month. he is quite the woodworking craftsman and the wood he used for this table is old growth cedar that was felled in the early 1800's. I am not sure of his source but this wood comes from NW Washington state.

Thought I would share that

LoneGrouse

[Sgt.Jake]

  Lone Grouse    Absolutely beautiful back round,your friend made you one of those priceless gifts that no amount of money can buy. I know you will enjoy that 1866.  I would  recommend Dick Dasterdlys line of Big Lube tm Bullets. If you cast your own, biglube.com if you dont cast or want to try the different designs,before buying a mold, try here , about half way down the page http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/Accessory%20page.htm  . Many pards use them as do I with complete satisfaction,I can go an entire ten stages in one day with no fouling,in pistols and the rifle. If you were of a mind to use a substitute powder those Oregon bullets,just as they are. The one thing I would strongly council against is using them with real black powder,you will end up with a hard to remove, tar like fouling in your barrels . Adios  Sgt. Jake

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Im wondering when I start loadin BP will the Oregon Trail bullets still be a good choice? The reason I ask is cause I read somethin about the lube used in the groove with BP is important. 
LoneGrouse

Great lookin' rifle.
Yes, the lube is important--you should buy bullets with much bigger lube grooves, filled with black powder lube like SPG.  Also, the Lazer Cast bullets are pretty hard--you'll probably do better with a softer cast (which b.p. specific bullets are).  20-1 is good.

Enjoy!