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Minimum bullet length when using 38 spec in 357 uberti 73


Rootin Tootin

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Posted

I use truncated cone flat tip 122 or 130 grain bullets currently in my Spur Marlins at 1.41 max

 

I just bought a new Uberti 73 in 357 from a local gun shop. I want to try Uberti 73's in 357 with a short stroke set at approx. 4 3/4 inches from either C&I or PGW What is the best overall bullet length for problem free speed shooting? C&! says 1.45 but I'm not familiar with recommendations from PGW or real world experience.

 

I use 1.41 in my short stoked 66 with no problem (38 special) but the carrier is larger on the 73 in 357

 

If this proves to be faster for me then I will be selling or trading all my Spur Marlins (3) for slicked up 73's

 

As always, the wire is the best place to go for accurate info. Thanks in advance........

Posted

That will probably work, and lots of guys do it.. but I like 1.5 or longer. I prefer to not push all the rounds in the magazine in and out with every cycle of the lever.

 

Snakebite

Posted

Every gun is a little different. The lower you go into the 1.4" range the more likely you will have a problem. Keep your rounds between 1.500 and 1.590 and you should have no ammo related problems.

What he said.

Posted

In a '73 it's all about the carrier "return ramp" and how much work you want to do when you work the lever.

 

To confirm what LEP said, a 1.500 or longer cartridge will run in almost all the 73s without modifications.

 

With an easy amount of work on the cartridge return ramp angle on most carriers, it's easy to get down to a 1.450 or even 1.400 length. But, as Snakebite tells you, the shorter you load, the more "pushing" of the cartridges back into the magazine that you have to do when you work the lever.

 

I like the sweet spot I found for .38 specials with a 125 grain TC bullet loaded to 1.450 overall. Your "perfect" cartridge length may vary.

 

Good luck, GJ

Posted

I have always loaded the 105s and the 125s in the crimp groove. Never had any problems. Never measured the rounds. But then I have Cody-Matics :).

Posted

Pioneer Gunworks recommends a 1.44 OAL I'm thinkin'..

I've used 1.435 OAL TC in my '66's fer about 8 years.. no problems..

My wife Lacey's "Spur Short stroked Marlins" are using the same OAL..

 

Just got a new 1873 from Pioneer.. had to modifiy the ramp to cycle the 1.435 OAL

 

Rance ;)

Thinin' it's slick now tho :)

 

 

also thinkin' the carriers are the same in both the '66 and 73's in OAL..

just ramp angle..

but then again..

I ain't a gunsmith. :):D

Posted

I have switched to .357 brass and crimp in the groove. If I go to a lost brass match I'll likely use .38 loads in the rifle as it works Ok but not quite as smooth as the .357 length for reasons noted above. The .357 length round is much easier on the carrier ramp (especially if aluminum) and if shooting smokeless, no more carbon ring to clean out of revolvers or rifle.

Using 125 gr TC bullets I think I end up with somewhere around 1.72" OAL but I don't remember exactly off the top of my head.

Posted

I have a Cody built 73 and a LA. Gunfighters built 73 and I have brass mag tubes and 92 SS springs, followers in the 73s and I have loaded as short as 1.39 as long as 1.60 and they don't care. I load all mine to 1.50 because that is what my 92s like.

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