Favorite 73 caliber?

[Nickle]

I think I want a 45 cs . Or second choice 45colt.  Heavy lead going slow sounds better. Do 45 Schofield feed through a unmodified 45 colt 73? When I buy revolvers they will probably be 45 so I like having same caliper  just for loading ,casting,etc.

3rd choice probably 44/40 . Years ago I used to own a 73 in 44wcf 

4th 38wcf

Last place would be 357. Years ago I had a 3 screw ruger in 357. Didn’t really like the caliper.  Lots of noise and no power is how I remember it.

Anyway I've been looking for used 73 for months in my area and all I ever see are deals on used 73s in 357 magnum. I just think it's a boring cartridge.  So are these 357 magnum accurate with black powder loads?

Accurate with smokeless?  Are they so popular just because you can buy cheap factory loads  and or load them down to mouse farts?

[Nutmeg Ryder, SASS # 74966]

Strictly for cowboy, the .38 is the overwhelming choice. 

Cost is a big factor.  They just cost less to load. 

We are not taking down a charging bear or even a curious squirrel, so a moderate load is sufficient to hit steel.  

 

Now that being said I shoot 45 colt, have since I started, in my head it was the caliber of the west(I have since learned different)  

I also wanted to do mounted shooting and could only afford one set of guns.  Now I am to stingy to pony up the cash for a set or two of new guns. 

 

This game is all about what puts a smile on YOUR face.  Let the other cowboys and cowgirls do what makes them happy.  

 

 

 

 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

If you've got a personal preference for the larger calibers, go for it.  However, the vast majority of Cowboy shooters are using 38 special rounds because they are relatively easy to reload and the components are less expensive than the larger calibers.  More bang for your buck.  

 

If shooting the larger, more expensive calibers is what you like, then that is perfectly acceptable, but you don't get extra credit for it.  Precision accuracy is not really an issue at the ranges we shoot at.

Edited Thursday at 02:24 PM by Badlands Bob #61228

[Nickle]

Factory ammo regardless of caliber is beyond what I'm willing to pay for it in Alberta. 

I've traded off my 357 components 30 years ago but I still have components example dies,molds,etc for the larger calibers. 

You wouldn't think a few extra grains of powder or bit more lead in the mold would make much difference in cost?

I know cowboy action isn't about accuracy but if you could have your choice between two identical models of 73s but one would keep all shots in 2" group at 100yards and the other shot 5" groups.  Well I would use the 2" gun.

357 is smokeless.  I've shot a lot of bpcr but never had much success in smokeless cartridges like 30wcf trying to shoot black powder. 

[Dantankerous]

Favorite? 45 Colt

 

Favorite for BP? Well, 44-40 of course!

 

😁

 

You asked if 45 Schofield will run through an unmodified '73 in 45 Colt? Don't know about through a '73 but I could run 230 grain 45 Schofield through my unmodified Henry 1860. I'd think I would get the same results in the '73 but never tried.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 03:04 PM by Dantankerous

[Make do]

You mention black powder. The cleanest gun caliber I have ever worked with is the 38/40 in my 73 there is close to zero fouling back in the action, with the shells looking clean also. I can only say the 38/40 must seal the chamber better than most. On the downside the case necks do split after 8 to 10 loading (Starline brass), although I have some old Winchester cases I know I have been shooting for 20 years. I also typically buy 44/40 brass new and neck it down. 

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

You should go to a match and see what is used. We don’t have to punish the steel, just hit it. At typical distances of 18-24 feet for pistols and 30-50 feet for rifles accuracy is generally secondary to control at speed. Current standards are 400 FPS minimum for all firearms, 1000 fps for pistols (max and unnecessary) and 1400 fps for rifles (max and unnecessary). Some clubs may not appreciate someone using top end loads as their steel may be soft or older, maybe both. Just a heads up. 
Personally I use 38’s for cowboy in both pistols and rifle. I use 45 colt along with 45 ACP in my 1911 for WB. I have shot with folks who have used C45S in both for cowboy, though you need a modified carrier in the rifle to handle the much shorter round. Others have used 45 ACP in the rifle for WB which requires some qualified gunsmith work. Other’s shoot pretty much all of the calibers you mentioned. Long story short, get what makes you happy. The overwhelming majority are happy with the 38 special. 
Welcome

    
Gateway Kid

BTW my rifle load at 147 gr bullets at about 800 FPS generates a PF of about 117, which compares favorably with those mouse fart 45 shooters with their 160 grain bullets at 650 FPS and pf of 104. LOL

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

It will depend on the bullet but in general 45 Schofield will feed through a 45 Colt toggle gun with a 200gr or larger bullet.  Smaller bullets make it too short.   If you use the 45cs then you will need the special carrier and won't be able to shoot 45 Colts with that carrier.  All of the dash calibers, 32wcf, 38wcf, 44wcf will run the best with black powder because the case necks are so thin they seal the chamber even with low pressure BP rounds, keeping the action clean.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

"So are these 357 magnum accurate with black powder loads?"  

 

Yes, plenty accurate for CAS main matches.  I shoot them all the time.  Another consideration is that 357 mag cases (and the 38 Specials many shoot) take small pistol primers while 45 Colts take large pistol primers that are currently less available.  The smaller cases loaded with black powder make plenty of fire and noise.  Here is a picture of me shooting a 38 Special black powder round from a revolver.  There was a good report and plenty of fire.

 

Edited Thursday at 03:49 PM by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971
added picture

[Choctaw Jack]

I'm a .45 shooter ( 45 Colt and C45S for CAS , 45 ACP for many years prior ) , and I have no plans to change.

Shooting the 45s carries it's own

penalties, cost of components and availability of large pistol primers in my area being the main ones.

And yes, I shoot those " mouse fart loads " with 160 grain bullets at 630 fps and 114 power factor. This allows me to shoot the larger caliber rounds at the smaller caliber cost. I think that recoil is the same or less than a moderately loaded .38 round, and less than a .357.

I've encountered only one KD target that this load wouldn't  put down , and all the other shooters were having trouble with it also, but I  believe it was the target, not the load.

I prefer the C45S cartridge over the Colt, but there are a few extra hoops to jump through to make the loading process work smoothly, but in the long run we'll worth it, IMHO.

But as said earlier, shoot whatever puts a smiling your face , it's all a matter of choice.

Choctaw

 

 

[El Sobrante Kid]

I shoot 44-40 (smokeless) and have since the day I started, just because it makes me smile more. It costs more to shoot, I knew that going in, and I have no problem with that. If I didn't know how to reload, I would probably reconsider and shoot 38/357. Have Fun!

[Nickle]

2 hours ago, Dantankerous said:

Favorite? 45 Colt

 

Favorite for BP? Well, 44-40 of course!

 

😁

 

You asked if 45 Schofield will run through an unmodified '73 in 45 Colt? Don't know about through a '73 but I could run 230 grain 45 Schofield through my unmodified Henry 1860. I'd think I would get the same results in the '73 but never tried.

 

 

I already have a Lee 45- 200-rf  I'm wondering if this bullet with schofield brass would feed through a stock uberti 45 colt? If so it might be a better compromise in case capacity, bullet jump between 45 cs and 45 colt? Smaller rim to might have extraction issues even if it does feed through stock carrier? 

[Nickle]

2 hours ago, Make do said:

You mention black powder. The cleanest gun caliber I have ever worked with is the 38/40 in my 73 there is close to zero fouling back in the action, with the shells looking clean also. I can only say the 38/40 must seal the chamber better than most. On the downside the case necks do split after 8 to 10 loading (Starline brass), although I have some old Winchester cases I know I have been shooting for 20 years. I also typically buy 44/40 brass new and neck it down. 

I have a Lyman mold for 38wcf. I know of some local original winchesters 4 sale in this caliber.  

I just  find it more interesting because so few shoot it.

Years ago I did a lot of loading for 44wcf. I'm thinking more case capacity for size of the bullet won't help with accuracy.  I have trouble with smokeless getting accuracy out of light loads.

Sounds like you are shooting only black powder.  You know I haven't seen real black  powder 4 sale in Alberta for a long time. I suspect our idiot Canadian government has probably classified as explosive or something stupid.  The black powder I have here I bought in miles city MT back in 90S. I probably will have hard time replacing it. I think I can't  even drive to MT and bring it back anymore.

Do you shoot smokeless in yours? What kind of accuracy? 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

8 minutes ago, Nickle said:

I already have a Lee 45- 200-rf  I'm wondering if this bullet with schofield brass would feed through a stock uberti 45 colt? If so it might be a better compromise in case capacity, bullet jump between 45 cs and 45 colt? Smaller rim to might have extraction issues even if it does feed through stock carrier? 

Forget the bullet jump issue. It’s a non issue. The extraction is a non issue. And while I have no experience with that exact bullet, a 200 grain very similar works fine in the two .45 Colt ‘73s I’ve tried them in.

[Nickle]

2 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

"So are these 357 magnum accurate with black powder loads?"  

 

Yes, plenty accurate for CAS main matches.  I shoot them all the time.  Another consideration is that 357 mag cases (and the 38 Specials many shoot) take small pistol primers while 45 Colts take large pistol primers that are currently less available.  The smaller cases loaded with black powder make plenty of fire and noise.  Here is a picture of me shooting a 38 Special black powder round from a revolver.  There was a good report and plenty of fire.

 

But nothing else I shoot takes small pistol primers so that can work against me. Example if u stock up on magnum large pistol primers I also use them in lighter cast bullet loads in rifle calibers. 

Also in general with basically everything I get better results with magnum primers.  That's from light target cast loads to Normal 30-06 hunting loads with jacketed  or cast pinker loads in 30-06,  or hot 300 Winchester magnum loads or black powder cartridge rounds.

I'm in a colder climate than most of you and usually the colder weather is when I have  more time to shoot. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

My favorite caliber is .45 Colt.   I have more guns in that caliber than any other.

But oddly, I don't have a 73 in that caliber.

 

My first 73, a real Winchester is a .32-20, and for a short while it was my primary main match rifle.  Here it is paired with a Colt Bisley

Fun story about this rifle.   More than a few years ago, I was at the Michigan state championship shoot, and this was the rifle I used.   As I was leaving the parking lot to go to the shooting area, a pard looked at my gun cart and ask me if that was a real Winchester.   When I said it was, he said he'd never seen one before, only replicas, and asked if he could hold it.  Then he asked if he could work the action.   When I said sure, he tried, but he could not lever the lever.  He checked to make sure the lever lock was not locked, and when he saw that it wasn't, he said he thought something was wrong.  With some concern, I took the gun and worked the action no problem.   Long story short, he was so used to slicked up short stroked Uberti 73's, that he could not work the "heavy" action of an unmodified Winchester!

This rifle, and later a few pistols, started my love affair with the .32-20 cartridge.   Since this rifle I have acquired a Winchester 92, a Colt Lightning, a Marlin 1888 (The top eject Marlin!) and a Uberti 66.    It is likely I will obtain other rifles in this caliber as time goes by.   The only reason I don't shoot it more often is that, like all bottlenecks, it takes a little more effort to reload.   Gotta lube them cases, y'know.   I have an antique 1st and a 3rd gen SAA, and in addition to the pictured Bisley, another one that is nickeled.

 

My second 73 is 16.5" Uberti that I kinda sorta customized.   It's a .44-40

 

I really wanted a 73 Mare's Leg, but nobody makes one.   So, I just chopped the stock on this one.  Overall length is over 26", and the barrel is still 16+ so no NFA 34 problems.   I know Mare's Legs are not SASS Legal for some reason, but they are fun to shoot!

I also have an uncut buttstock in case I ever have a need to actually use it as a rifle.

 

As far as .45 Colt goes....  Well, I've got more pistols than I can count off the top of my head.  At least 20 or so.   Mostly Colts/Clones, but a few other things as well.   Replica cap and ball Colts and Remingtons that have been cartridge converted, replica S&W Schofield and American, a replica Remington 75, a converted replica Rogers and Spencer, and I think that's it.   For rifles in .45, I have an AWA Lightning, an Armi San Marco 92, an Uberti 66 (Which I guess is "close" to being a 73) and a Uberti Burgess.    Why don't I have a 73 in this caliber?   Well, partly because if I get a hankrin' t'shoot a 73, I can pull out the real Winchester.   And partly because I've become a Lightning guy, so I don't see the need to get one.   But that being said, if I came across a used Uberti in .45 for a really good price, I might jump on one.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I've shot Classic cowboy for 20 years and my caliber is 38-40.  Started with 180 gr in rifle and 155 gr in revolvers, now load 140 gr in revolvers.  Shot 30-40 smokless, black powder and BP substitute APP.  Still have a pair of Remington 1875 Outlaws and pair of Open tops in .38 and one 1873 short rifle and couple Marlin 1894s in .38 that I rarley shoot any more and those are shot as a Duelist or FCD when I do.

Edited Thursday at 06:44 PM by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Warden Callaway]

I've got an original 1873 in 38WCF.

 

And a Winchester Miroku in 44WCF. 

Edited Thursday at 08:13 PM by Warden Callaway

[Bailey Creek,5759]

44WCF. 

Have been shooting that caliber since 1976.

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

My only 73 fires 44 WCF, my uberti revolvers shoot 44-40 happily the same cartridges shoot well from either

 

[Choctaw Jack]

4 hours ago, Nickle said:

I already have a Lee 45- 200-rf  I'm wondering if this bullet with schofield brass would feed through a stock uberti 45 colt? If so it might be a better compromise in case capacity, bullet jump between 45 cs and 45 colt? Smaller rim to might have extraction issues even if it does feed through stock carrier? 

I have used that mold ( the 6 cavity version ), in 45 Colt for lots of years and never had any issues.

Can't see any why there should be with the Schofield cartridge.

[DeaconKC]

I run 45 Colt in my guns, including a 66 and 73 Uberti rifles. Following advice I use a load close to factory, 7.5 grains of Unique under a 200 grain RNFP from Bustin Head Lead. I get very little blowback with this load and it is a lot of fun. Sure, it costs a bit more than 38s but it is worth it to me.

[Nickle]

6 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

My favorite caliber is .45 Colt.   I have more guns in that caliber than any other.

But oddly, I don't have a 73 in that caliber.

 

My first 73, a real Winchester is a .32-20, and for a short while it was my primary main match rifle.  Here it is paired with a Colt Bisley

Fun story about this rifle.   More than a few years ago, I was at the Michigan state championship shoot, and this was the rifle I used.   As I was leaving the parking lot to go to the shooting area, a pard looked at my gun cart and ask me if that was a real Winchester.   When I said it was, he said he'd never seen one before, only replicas, and asked if he could hold it.  Then he asked if he could work the action.   When I said sure, he tried, but he could not lever the lever.  He checked to make sure the lever lock was not locked, and when he saw that it wasn't, he said he thought something was wrong.  With some concern, I took the gun and worked the action no problem.   Long story short, he was so used to slicked up short stroked Uberti 73's, that he could not work the "heavy" action of an unmodified Winchester!

This rifle, and later a few pistols, started my love affair with the .32-20 cartridge.   Since this rifle I have acquired a Winchester 92, a Colt Lightning, a Marlin 1888 (The top eject Marlin!) and a Uberti 66.    It is likely I will obtain other rifles in this caliber as time goes by.   The only reason I don't shoot it more often is that, like all bottlenecks, it takes a little more effort to reload.   Gotta lube them cases, y'know.   I have an antique 1st and a 3rd gen SAA, and in addition to the pictured Bisley, another one that is nickeled.

 

My second 73 is 16.5" Uberti that I kinda sorta customized.   It's a .44-40

 

I really wanted a 73 Mare's Leg, but nobody makes one.   So, I just chopped the stock on this one.  Overall length is over 26", and the barrel is still 16+ so no NFA 34 problems.   I know Mare's Legs are not SASS Legal for some reason, but they are fun to shoot!

I also have an uncut buttstock in case I ever have a need to actually use it as a rifle.

 

As far as .45 Colt goes....  Well, I've got more pistols than I can count off the top of my head.  At least 20 or so.   Mostly Colts/Clones, but a few other things as well.   Replica cap and ball Colts and Remingtons that have been cartridge converted, replica S&W Schofield and American, a replica Remington 75, a converted replica Rogers and Spencer, and I think that's it.   For rifles in .45, I have an AWA Lightning, an Armi San Marco 92, an Uberti 66 (Which I guess is "close" to being a 73) and a Uberti Burgess.    Why don't I have a 73 in this caliber?   Well, partly because if I get a hankrin' t'shoot a 73, I can pull out the real Winchester.   And partly because I've become a Lightning guy, so I don't see the need to get one.   But that being said, if I came across a used Uberti in .45 for a really good price, I might jump on one.

I didn't know u could use 32wcf in cowboy action.  There are a few originals kicking around Alberta.  The smaller caliber originals seem to have survived better than the 44 or 38wcf.

Thanks for sharing the pictures and story. 

[Nickle]

2 hours ago, Bailey Creek,5759 said:

44WCF. 

Have been shooting that caliber since 1976.

I used to shoot a 1875 Uberti 44-40 and also a carbine Uberti.  This was years ago and wish now I still had them. I forget which video but duelist 1954 Mike Bellevue was saying some of the modern revolvers in 44wcf had their chambers cut so tight you could only chamber 427" bullets but yet the barrels need a 431" bullet. 

If I remember right it's the rugers that are chambered like this?

I'm wondering how widespread this problem is?

[Nickle]

2 hours ago, Choctaw Jack said:

I have used that mold ( the 6 cavity version ), in 45 Colt for lots of years and never had any issues.

Can't see any why there should be with the Schofield cartridge.

You figure it would give enough overall length to function with Schofield brass in a 73?

[Will Kane]

IMHO, the 45 Schofield round really shines as an over the top reload for a 45 Colt 73.

Edited Friday at 01:03 AM by Will Kane
Add context.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Nickle

 

I can well understand your plethora of questions, opinions and whining about circumstances in Canada.  However, it seems if your going to participate is SASS, and avail yourself of the SASS Wire, you might consider joining SASS, rather than freeloading on the Wire??  Just a thought. 

[Choctaw Jack]

56 minutes ago, Nickle said:

You figure it would give enough overall length to function with Schofield brass in a 73?

Sorry, no experience with the Schofield, but I shoot with a couple of Pards that use them, and I don't think they have the replacement carriers for Scofield.

My vote is for the C45S.

Very efficient cartridge, good accuracy, and brass is available or you can cut down 45 Colt brass, which I do, since I have lots of brass to work with.

The only downside is you do have to have a modified carrier.

Choctaw

 

[John Kloehr]

Limited experience, my experience based on other considerations.

 

I chose 44-40 because I wanted the feel of fat rounds. I chose a Miroku Shot-show special in 44-40 because the wood was gorgeous and 44-40 is the caliber used by the historic John Kloehr. And that is a fat round.

 

Since then, I did buy an Uberti 1873 in .38 Special, an Evil Roy slicked by Grimes (could argue this is the race gun to have. Cleaned it, oiled it, put it in the safe, never shot it.

 

Did handle the "Roy" recently after my last rare shoot, I do need to lighten the lever safety on my Miroku. Have the parts. It is on the short list for this winter.

 

I do want to go fast, but enjoying the time and having fun is more important to me. Still appreciate the fit, finish, and feel of the true race gun. But yes, "fatness" and a nod to history of my alias means my favorite is 44-40.

Edited Saturday at 04:06 PM by John Kloehr

[Griff]

Cowboy 45 Special for the pistols, when it ain't my .36 caliber 1851s, and 45 Colt for the rifle.  Although I do have a C45S carrier for the 1860 Henry.  It's sorta reserved for team matches when offered.  19 rounds in a .45 caliber make for short work on "woodcutting" or the often numerous targets used in these.

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

11 hours ago, Nickle said:

But nothing else I shoot takes small pistol primers so that can work against me. Example if u stock up on magnum large pistol primers I also use them in lighter cast bullet loads in rifle calibers. 

Also in general with basically everything I get better results with magnum primers.  That's from light target cast loads to Normal 30-06 hunting loads with jacketed  or cast pinker loads in 30-06,  or hot 300 Winchester magnum loads or black powder cartridge rounds.

I'm in a colder climate than most of you and usually the colder weather is when I have  more time to shoot. 

My experience only, but I have used SPM Federals in CAS for over 15 years. Originally when I started my reloading (back in '82) I used whatever the book called for exactly. Today many including myself use "off the book" loads (read below minimum published) and adjustments in components, (primers, powders, crimps, bullets etc.) are common.

During the community organizer presidency SPP became nonexistent around here but for some reason the magnums were available and cheaper as well when you found them. So I bought a bunch! I use Titegroup as my go to powder with a SPM primer and have been 100% satisfied regardless of temperature. Some will tell you that Titegroup is temp sensitive but that is something I just haven't seen. Now whether that is because of the slightly better brisance of the primer or other factors I couldn't tell you but they work great for me. Can verify that they work down to -6 degrees in a match. And have no short term intentions to go back to standard SPP.

Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

13 hours ago, Nickle said:

I didn't know u could use 32wcf in cowboy action.  There are a few originals kicking around Alberta.  The smaller caliber originals seem to have survived better than the 44 or 38wcf.

Thanks for sharing the pictures and story. 

 

You are most welcome.

Yeah, i seem to see more .32-20 73's and 92's, and even Marlins and Colt Lightnings on the used market than I do the larger calibers, and usually for a lot less money.

It's perfectly legal, caliberwise.   To quote the Handbook...

Revolver Calibers:

 

Must be centerfire cartridges of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber 
Although the .32 caliber revolvers and .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers are legal, they may not be powerful enough to handle all reactive targets.   

 

 

Rifle Calibers:

Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber. 

The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50.

.32-20 is listed in both sections in the examples but not limited too lists.

So, according to the rules, even .32 S&W or .32 Short Colt would be SASS legal.   Good luck finding guns chambered for them though!   I do have a vintage 1860 that was converted to the former, and a vintage Marlin in the latter.   Modern Marlins can be found in .32 H&R Magnum, which is just an elongated .32 S&W Long, but I don't know if they shorter cartridge will work in it.   Cimarron also makes a scaled down Colt Clone with dual .32-30/.32 H&R that you could use the S&W rounds in.


Historically, the only revolver chambered for .32-20 was the Colt, and they are a little harder to find.  S&W and as far as I know, did not offer it.   Today, you can get Colts, clones, and Rugers.   Not sure of what else.  I remember someone, I think it was Taylor's, advertising a 58 Remington converted to it many years ago, but I never saw one.

.32-20 is a very addictive caliber...

I am surprised to learn that you can get them in Canada.  I thought .32 caliber was outlawed up there.    Can you elaborate?

[Doc McCoy, SASS #8381]

I love my 38/40 and shoot BP.  I also have a C45S that I use for Wild Bunch.  Mostly I just prefer to have separate rifles for BP and smokeless.  They also become backup rifles for each other, if I carry both loads in the trailer.  
Ironically the 38/40 with BP is much cleaner than the 45.  No BP fouling on the carrier.  The 45 carrier is always dirty.  Between the bottleneck design and the thinner case wall the 38/40 seals very well.  

[Captain Bill Burt]

If I were going with black powder I would choose either 38-40 or 44-40.  Because I'm lazy and will therefore NOT be shooting black powder I'll stick with 38 special in the rifle and 32 H&R mag in the revolvers.

[Dapper Dynamite Dick]

I have owned 4x Uberti M73, in .357 & .45Colt, my wife owns a Winchester Miroku M73 in .357 and I chose a Uberti M73 Carbine in .45 Colt to compete with as I have found that it is the most accurate pistol caliber lever action that I own.