Rootin Tootin Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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........
Buck D. Law, SASS #62183 Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 That happens to be the exact length I used and I use truncated cone bullets.
Snakebite Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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
John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 I have not measured but I'm right at the crimp groove on the 105 and 125 TCs. With no problems.
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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.
Mean Matt McCord, SASS #24683 Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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.
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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
Red Cent Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 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 .
Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 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.
Monco Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 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.
Pit Bull Tex Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 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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