Question about uberti winchester 1873 357/38

[treetop00]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and looking for some information and experience. I've been wanting to try sass for a while but really don't live close enough to any groups or places to shoot sass. Anyhow, I still want to try this one day and I need practice. So I finally picked me up a taylor winchester 1873 chambered for 357/38spl and will be reloading for this gun. I know I want a light load that feeds and shoots well so before I go and buy 357 brass or 38 brass I need some help deciding. Does the 38 special not cycle as good as the 357 mag brass? Can you basically load 38 amount of powder in 357 brass? Is 38 specials okay to use? Also I already reload 45lc for pistols so I have about 8lbs of titegroup powder. I just need a good shooting ligh load to make this gun sing. Well......you get the idea whenever I'm able to sing.  lol I'd appreciate any help you can throw my way. I've read and seen alot of info, but just looking for more direct insight. Thanks

[August]

Welcome aboard !

It's rare to see someone using .357 brass in a '73.  .38 is preferred and much less expensive and easier to find. 

Titegroup is a very popular powder in CAS.  Start with 3.2 to 3.5 grains.  Some get primers backing out at the lighter setting, others swear that's the Holy Grail of cowboy action shooting.

Because Titegroup is not position sensitive, it will work well in both cases.  But, please, go with .38 special cases as it will make your life much easier.

Hope this helps.

[Abilene]

...But, please, go with .38 special cases as it will make your life much easier....

For smokeless, I agree.  I shoot BP in mine so I use .357 cases since they hold a little more gunppowder 

[treetop00]

Thanks for the replies. Oh....and also I figured I'd start with a 125gr bullet but should I use the 125tc or roundnose lead bullet?
Do both work well through the gun? Any other reason besides preference?

[Shotgun Franklin]

We use a couple of different kinds of rifles at work including a couple of '73s in .357. The RNFP is easier to load and works fine.

[Pettifogger]

.38 or .357 is irrelevant.  What matters is the overall length (OAL) of the ammo.  As long as your ammo is right around 1.500" you will have no problems.  You can go as long as about 1.590 and as short as 1.45 (minimum varies from gun to gun).  But if you stay right around 1.500" you won't ever have any problems.

[treetop00]

.38 or .357 is irrelevant.  What matters is the overall length (OAL) of the ammo.  As long as your ammo is right around 1.500" you will have no problems.  You can go as long as about 1.590 and as short as 1.45 (minimum varies from gun to gun).  But if you stay right around 1.500" you won't ever have any problems.

Thanks for the tip, so even with the 125gr round nose flat point you can get this length on a 38sp case and crimp correctly?

[Jefro]

Thanks for the tip, so even with the 125gr round nose flat point you can get this length on a 38sp case and crimp correctly?

Howdy Treetop, I run a 125gr TC or RNFP at about 1.432 in the crimp groove without a hitch. If yours likes them a little longer just crimp them in the driving band, works like a charm. Good Luck

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[treetop00]

Everyone, thanks for the help and hospitality!   

[August]

Thanks for the replies. Oh....and also I figured I'd start with a 125gr bullet but should I use the 125tc or roundnose lead bullet?
Do both work well through the gun? Any other reason besides preference?

It is possible to have a chain fire in a tubular magazine firearm if bullets can directly contact the primer in front of them.  For that reason, you should stay away from round nose bullets and use a design with a flat point.  People will be quick to say it is a rare event for a magazine to explode in a toggle link rifle, but it can happen.  All the Winchester Central Fire cartridges had a flat point for this reason.

So, the truncated cone (tc) bullet is your huckleberry.

[Red Cent]

105 gr TCFP, 3.2 gr American Select,with 38 Spl. cases. Crimp in the crimp groove. I use this load in the rifle and revolver. Runs about 790fps from the revolver and probably 900 fps in the rifle. 'Course, ya gotta remember to wrap the wrists and wear that padded shirt to protect your self.

[treetop00]

I currently load 45lc starline brass. So I'm wondering how many times have you guys reloades 38sp starline brass? What's feasible?

[Camille Eonich]

It really depends on the load.

[August]

I currently load 45lc starline brass. So I'm wondering how many times have you guys reloades 38sp starline brass? What's feasible?

Dozens !!!

[Red Cent]

I always used virgin brass for state matches and above. Other wise, look at the rounds as you load the rifle. Ain't nothing more disappointing than a spllit case in a rifle. Or, after you tumble them clean, get comfortable and look at each one. Saves components.
Light loads require good tight crimps=shorter case life.

[treetop00]

I'm gonna have to decide on exactly which bullet I want, I'm looking for speed but between the 105gr to the 125 gr will there be that much of a noticeable difference especially for someone just starting? And if there is would it actually aid me in my shooting?

[Red Cent]

They are a little cheaper. They have a  little less recoil. What ever recoil they have .  I used to practice a bit with the 125s and shot competition with the 105s. If you have good trigger control and know how to strangle the single action while cocking with the weak hand and firing, you won't see the difference..
You can tell which one you just fired in the rifle but just barely.