My new 1873 in .45

[Mean Bob Mean]

Just arrived

[w44wcf]

Bob,
Nice!   Will you be shooting smokeless or black......or both...   Bullet weight....

w44wcf

[Mean Bob Mean]

Bob,
Nice!   Will you be shooting smokeless or black......or both...   Bullet weight....

w44wcf

Likely both, but figuring a heavy load of Black with a 255 grain for all around use.

Bob

[dusty texian]

Very nice ,look's like Ya got a goodun Mean Bob......Dusty

[Mean Bob Mean]

Very nice ,look's like Ya got a goodun Mean Bob......Dusty

I was impressed with the amount of figure in the wood, a crotch pattern in Buttstock and a big knot and all that figure in the forearm.  It was much nicer than the photos posted online I picked it from.

[dusty texian]

It's Dang good when your supprised in a good way. .......Dusty

[Abilene]

Very nice!  I love pretty wood.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Fine lookin' rifle.

M. Deadwood

[w44wcf]

Likely both, but figuring a heavy load of Black with a 255 grain for all around use.

Bob

Bob, sounds good!  Which bullet and type of powder?
 
Personally, I like the Accurate 45-260F if I am using Goex, Schuetzen, Kik, or Diamondback. It has a larger lube capacity than standard to run in a 24" barrel for many shots.  The PRS - DD "Big Lube" also works very well with those powders. For shooting at 100+ yards (which I like to do) I find the 45-260F to be more accurate due to its smaller mepalt and longer nose.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-260F-D.png

If I use Swiss, I like the original .45 Colt bullet (Lyman 452190) or the RCBS clone. The new Olde Enysford b.p. looks like it will also work well with the original design based on my results with it in the .44-40.   I'll bet trying it in the .45 Colt in the near future.

w44wcf 

[Mean Bob Mean]

W44wcf

I am only now staring to reacquire the goods to reload--have not done so in 35 years.

I was thinking same on long range bullet--heavier and slender.  Also thinking about a deer load for inside 100 yards so any ideas there much appreciated.  Just ordered 6 boxes of ammo to burn for the starline brass.  I was thinking Old E for hunting and long target loads, something cheaper for burning at matches (if I decide to shoot Cowboy but local group is all over me since I bought 5 new "cowboy" guns in a couple months).  

I have never cast my own, think I will get reloading down first.

[w44wcf]

Bob,
Whyte Leatherworks http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/BigLube.html offers cast bullets for sale.
He offers the PRS 250 "Big Lube" for b.p.  It would also work well with smokeless. It has a large meplat (flat nose) which would be desirable for  harvesting game.   

He also offers the 454190 which would be superior for 100+ yards target shooting. Its a good smokeless bullet that also works well with b.p......but only if one is using Swiss or possibly Olde E or......with other b.p.'s  if only 10-12 shots would be fired and then the rifle cleaned so that accuracy does not deteriorate. (At least that's 'been my experience.)   

w44wcf

[Mean Bob Mean]

Bob,
Whyte Leatherworks http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/BigLube.html offers cast bullets for sale.
w44wcf

Kind sir,

All this data and assistance is very much appreciated,

Yours,

Bob

[Mean Bob Mean]

Wow.  Just . . . wow.

The rifle clustered all shots together, often producing a ragged hole with a few rounds tossed out quickly offhand (at close ranges).  I was using a mild load, 200 grain a friend of mine gave me and which he recommends for SASS action.  There was no recoil.  I have got to load some heavy blackpowder charges and shoot those at 50-100 yards and see what I can do.  

My friend said I could get an action and throw shortening job for a few hundred bucks, my question is:

"Why screw up this gun for three hundred dollars?"

[harleydavis]

Wow.  Just . . . wow.
My friend said I could get an action and throw shortening job for a few hundred bucks, my question is:

"Why screw up this gun for three hundred dollars?"

Why indeed? If it aint broke, dont fix it.

[Grizzly Adams]

My friend said I could get an action and throw shortening job for a few hundred bucks, my question is:

"Why screw up this gun for three hundred dollars?"

No reason at all, unless you want to compete with it.  If you really get involved in SASS competition, at some point you may want to consider it.  Makes no difference in how accurate the rifle shoots, but sure does make them "fun to run!"   A properly done action job will also prolong the life of the rifle by decreasing the amount of wear the stock springs contribute too.  A properly done action job, and a short stroke modification will certainly NOT screw up your rifle!

[Mean Bob Mean]

No reason at all, unless you want to compete with it.  If you really get involved in SASS competition, at some point you may want to consider it.  Makes no difference in how accurate the rifle shoots, but sure does make them "fun to run!"   A properly done action job will also prolong the life of the rifle by decreasing the amount of wear the stock springs contribute too.  A properly done action job, and a short stroke modification will certainly NOT screw up your rifle!

Prolong the life of the rifle sounds like a decent reason.  I doubt I will ever shoot competitively, I don't really shoot Cowboy just like the guns, but tuning guns to make them work perfectly over the life of the piece does intrigue me.  I just picked up a pair of .44s, one seems to run like a clock, the other is a tad rough.  Thinking about having that examined. 

[dusty texian]

Picked up more .44's !. Yeah, you got it bad Mean Bob. There aint no help fer Ya ..,,,,,Dusty