Favorite 73 caliber?

[Doc Moses]

On 1/9/2025 at 8:53 AM, Nickle said:

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. 

I shoot 44 in rifle and pistol but have a 357 rifle too. The difference is cost AND ease to reload is noticable if you shoot often. I generally do one match a month, one day. 6 stages. 60 rounds pistol 60 rifle 120 total. Not a big deal as a realoader for any caliber. But...if I shot on all three days at my club? And went to even one other club for a two day monthly?  Now I am looking at 600 44 rounds. The few cents difference is adding up and the difference in physically reloading 44mag/special verses 357/38 special does make a pretty big difference month after month. As mentioned above the reduced recoil is also a real factory for speed and old hands. If I can shoot more when I retire I will probably go to 38's too. In the mean time I am like you and I really like big slow bullets. I will sneak in a couple of 357 Rugers one at a time over the next couple of years...as backups of course!  Then I will be set to retire and shoot either or.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I switched to .38’s a few years ago for cost and ease of reloading ( I was shooting .44-40 and .45 prior to that) I do a couple shoots a month and a couple 3 day shoots. The savings is not huge but enough to give an ease to the wallet. Bullets are cheaper as well as brass and of course less powder. 🤠

[Painted Mohawk SASS 77785]

I'm a forty caliber fan...the cost factor doesn't bother me , it is what it is !

I sometimes use Schofield brass but only with 250g  lead...never a function problem in my 73'.

Tried 'em all in the .45  pistols...settled on 160g in the longer brass.

200g in the 44-40 works great but so does the 180g  which I changed to.

It's all a personal choice..go for what grabs ya'...cheers.

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I mostly shoot 44wcf with Goex ff for my 66 rifle and for pistols its 44 Russian or ROA's my wife shoots .38 spcl in her 73 and pistols. Her guns were not fond of shooting with BP so smokeless for her. I cast for my 44 wcf and have found it to be less work to buy .38 bullets rather than cast them. I only cast .38 if I want to shoot BP. 

 

 

Hochbauer

[Nickle]

On 1/9/2025 at 6:33 PM, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

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. 

I just joined my local gun club and plan to catch the President of the local SASS club at the gun club to join. I've called home number and no answer. Since I'm  not set up to shoot yet and it's probably going to take some time to get set up I didn't think it was a big issue. 

I've always been interested in 19th century firearms and like talking about them. Didn't realize I was freeloading. 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

9 minutes ago, Nickle said:

I just joined my local gun club and plan to catch the President of the local SASS club at the gun club to join. I've called home number and no answer. Since I'm  not set up to shoot yet and it's probably going to take some time to get set up I didn't think it was a big issue. 

I've always been interested in 19th century firearms and like talking about them. Didn't realize I was freeloading. 

Your not freeloading 

[Nickle]

2 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Your not freeloading 

Thanks 

There is other stuff to  I'm in process of doing.  Upgrading my gun license to restricted so hopefully I don't get hassled by police with taking my genuine antique pistol  to the SASS meets. I took the course and mailed it off but from what I've been hearing my license which I shouldn't need anyway for an antique but my license might take a year.

Haha also my antique broke and I've been months trying to get parts.  Apparently on there way.

Also lawyer told me to get a smith&wesson factory letter to try to get hassled less by rcmp  if I did  get pulled over going to a match.

I might not be able to go to a match for years at this rate. 

[Captain Bill Burt]

25 minutes ago, Nickle said:

I just joined my local gun club and plan to catch the President of the local SASS club at the gun club to join. I've called home number and no answer. Since I'm  not set up to shoot yet and it's probably going to take some time to get set up I didn't think it was a big issue. 

I've always been interested in 19th century firearms and like talking about them. Didn't realize I was freeloading. 

You’re not. All are welcome here.

[Nickle]

On 1/10/2025 at 6:41 AM, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

 

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?

They have came out with so many gun laws that it's hard to keep current.  Years ago I sold off my handguns and got out of it because working all the time and just the hassle.  Now I'm trying to get back in .

Now that you mentioned it I think they did outlaw 32 centerfire in pistols. But in rifles I think they are legal.  I've seen 25/20 and 32-20 winchesters advertised for sale. 

[Nickle]

23 hours ago, Doc McCoy, SASS #8381 said:

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.  

Well I'm learning something new because a few of you have said the same thing about 38wcf. Must be because more of a bottle neck than say 44wcf. 

 

[Dapper Dynamite Dick]

On 12/13/2024 at 8:49 PM, Nickle said:

 

 

1 hour ago, Nickle said:

I just joined my local gun club and plan to catch the President of the local SASS club at the gun club to join. I've called home number and no answer. Since I'm  not set up to shoot yet and it's probably going to take some time to get set up I didn't think it was a big issue. 

I've always been interested in 19th century firearms and like talking about them. Didn't realize I was freeloading. 

If you are trying to get a hold of  LeeAnne Lane aka Alberta Annie, she and her husband are in Arizona for the winter at this time.

[Shawnee Hills]

1 hour ago, Nickle said:

I just joined my local gun club and plan to catch the President of the local SASS club at the gun club to join. I've called home number and no answer. Since I'm  not set up to shoot yet and it's probably going to take some time to get set up I didn't think it was a big issue. 

I've always been interested in 19th century firearms and like talking about them. Didn't realize I was freeloading. 

You're not freeloading.  This is supposed to be a place where folks can come to ask questions without being ridiculed.  For whatever reason, there are posters here that seem more intent on running off new shooters than welcoming them to the sport with open arms.  We've seen more than one new shooter post, get ridiculed for some silly thing, and never return to post again.  It really burns my britches to see it happen.

 

But back to the question at hand, I started in the sport shooting 45 Colt but have switched to 38 special.  It's not saving me any money but I am able to shoot more for the same dollars spent.

[Eyesa Horg]

Also consider that a few of our very knowledgeable contributors are registered here as guests. They're input has been very helpful to myself and I'm sure others. Losing them would be a loss to all. JMHO 

[Captain Bill Burt]

I don’t hesitate to let potential new shooters shoot my ammo because I know that I may be that person’s first exposure to SASS and it’s worth it to me to hopefully help bring in new shooters. 
 

By the same token I try to put my best foot forward with newbies here on the forum.

I remember being new to the sport and super excited to be a part of things. I posted a lot and asked questions that in retrospect I could have figured out on my own. I wasn’t a member yet either. I still remember a member (still active here occasionally) being rude to me and telling me to ‘suck it up buttercup’. 
 

He’s probably forgotten it, but I haven’t. I thought he was a stick then and still do (use your imagination to replace that ‘s’).

 

But I guess we all have different priorities and perspectives…

Edited January 11 by Captain Bill Burt

[Eyesa Horg]

It's up to all of us to make a good first impression and Welcome newbies.

[Jackson Haller]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:28 PM, Nickle said:

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?

 First off, WELCOME to the WIRE, Nickle!   Hang around the Wire as long as you wish!

Don't let anyone run you off here!

 

As for Rugers, yes, Ruger Vaqueros  in 44-40 used a .429 barrel  and cylinder throats were usually too tight and needed their throats opened up.  Ruger would do that if you sent it to them; some just found local smiths to do it or bought the reamers and did the job themselves. Ruger hasn't made the 44-40 Vaquero since 2005.

This isn't a problem with the newer Italian made firearms in 44-40,  in my experience.

 

As for 45 colt; if large bores like 45 colt are what you'd prefer (and it sounds like you are able to load for it as well), then stay with 45 colt caliber! You can shoot BP and subs in 45 colt as well as smokeless.  Yes, clean up will be a bit more involved  for BP than for 44-40 or 38-40, but firearms and components are more difficult to source here in those calibers and I suspect in Canada as well. 

 SASS isn't really a serious accuracy game; even so, 45 colt can be quite accurate. On other forums devoted more to handgun hunting, I see this caliber used frequently.

 

Once again, glad to have you here! Hope to see you often on the wire!

Jackson Haller SASS #6873

 

Edited January 12 by Jackson Haller

[Rafe Conager SASS #56958]

45 colt, both smokeless and black powder! Yes bottle neck cases would probably be cleaner but I have never had an issue with 45 colt bp rounds. Have shot bordertown, winter range and eot with only a spritz of pam every 3-4 stages and a minimal cleaning after each day. Spray pam pull a boresnake through and wipe carrier down. I do tear my rifle down before each major match but not monthly, I use schofield rounds in my pistols. 

Rafe

[German Jim]

Both of my '73s and my four cowboy revolvers are all .38-40 and are fed with a full load of FFg Black powder.

Edited Sunday at 07:19 PM by German Jim

[Eliphalet R. Moderator]

Free Grazers are welcome here!

 

This is a place provided by SASS for members and non-members to get together, ask questions, share knowledge, solve problems, and generally talk about SASS and Cowboy Action Shooting.

 

 

Oh, and for myself, I prefer .38-40 (38WCF) for Black Powder, and .38 special for the heathen smokeless.

["Big Boston"]

I so jealous, I have bought a bunch of those '73 devils in a whole bunch of calibers, and I still can't pick a favorite.  

 

My latest is a 32-20, beautiful pistol grip rifle that feels good on the shoulder. But fine tuning the bullet and powder combo for shooting cowboy has been puzzling. IMO it wants a gas checked bullet and a full load of something like 2400, and that is not a cowboy load. 

 

I have a '73 SRC in 44-40, and I added a '60 in the same caliber. I have to say, running a '60 puts a smile on my face, but you have to concentrate, there are a lot of thing extra happening. I like 44-40, but favorite, perhaps not.

 

In 45 LC I have a a pair or '73s, one older deluxe pistol grip and a SRC with the barrel mounted ladder sight that I prefer. But is 45 Colt my favorite, not really, it's OK but the blow back with low pressure loads is annoying.

 

That leaves the Miroku in 357, a nice basic rifle, that works nice, and I've used it at a longer range match. Pistol and shotgun at about 20 yards and rifle from between 50 and 60 yards. I picked this rifle for that match, it shoots the 358665 bullet accurately at that range. I do trim my 357 brass to 1.25", around what Hornady recommends for their FTX bullet. This gives me a OAL of 1.555" and if I use this in my pistols, the bullet shank that extends beyond the crimp groove does not extend into the chamber throat. However, for the most part, I shoot a WC in my 357 pistols. But I do have the option of using one load for both. And thinking about it, that cartridge, the 357 trimmed to 1.25" is likely the one I like the most. But I seldom shoot it. I have a '66 in 38 Spl, a trapper model that is my go to most of the time. It is a slick shooting little rifle, but not because the caliber is 38 Spl. 

So, I'd have to say, I like 357 Mag, trimmed to 1.25" and loaded with Trail Boss and topped with a 358665. 

BB

[Tom Bullweed]

.32 WCF, a.k.a. .32/20

[watab kid]

i bought my 73 in 45colt because thats what i shoot most always , yes i have a set of 38s but i started in 45colt and its what i have predominately - i always recommend 38s to new shooters tho as thats the caliber that always seemed the fastest and what those ive seen winning shoot mostly , just my observations , 

 

i would recommend you get one in 357/38 , but here is the bottom line- you gotta shoot and reload what makes you happy , you gotta enjoy what your doing here 

[Chain Blue, BPGF]

On 1/9/2025 at 11:09 AM, El Sobrante Kid said:

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!

Yep!

[Thunder Creek Kid]

I can and do shoot 45 Schofield in my miroku Winchester no problems.