The .45 LC and '73 action lever rifles- hunting preformance

[rvtrav]

  Hello to everyone,

  I know this topic has been discussed before, but looking through past posts I couldn't find the information I was hoping to learn.
    My questions are these;

  1. I have a Uberti '73 in .45 colt and want to hunt with it. ( mule deer, antelope,that sized game mostly) What loads are you all using, and what loads do you like, or dislike.
 
  2. I like cast bullets, I have molds for 255 gr semi pointed flat traditional type for the .45, and several 200 gr SWC types for the .45 ACP that would work, But does anyone have experience with jacketed, or different styles/ weights of cast which they prefer better for hunting?

  3. Is there really any advantage to "souping up" loads for the colt, especially given that I am using the weaker type action?

  4. any shared field experience on game would be great to hear too...

     Thanks in advance, Rvtrav
   
 

[Graybeard]

Your '73 is a very weak actioned gun. You do NOT want to "soup up" the loads in it. You "might" get by with a wee bit hotter than the loads for the Colt revolvers but not by much. That toggle link action is a very weak design and even made with modern steels just is not up to the "Ruger Level" loads in loading manuals. Stick with loads using cast bullets of 250-260 grains moving 850-1000 fps as listed for revolvers that are safe pressure wise in old Colt guns and Colt Clones. That's plenty for the hunting you want to do and safe in your gun.

From the rifle you'll add perhaps 150-200 fps more velocity that from a revolver. More is not needed.

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
Ditto the previous post. There was a reason why Browning invented the Model 92 Winchester. The '73, while is a slick action that works really well, is a blackpowder gun. For a steady diet of warm .45's, a Rossi, Puma, or other M92 clone would be the ticket.
If you are willing to HUNT with the '73 and limit yourself to close, high-percentage shots on game, I would load up a bunch of 250-grain RNFP's over Hodgdon 777 powder. You will be within pressure limits, and the 777 really gives a horsepower advantage over Goex or Pyrodex. I don't think I'd want to take a shot past 75 yards with it, but it should do the job within that range.

Bitterroot

[billy_56081]

  You might try some Black powder loads. But the standard 45 cold loads should kill deer just fine. Uncounted thousands if not millions of deer, bear,elk and other big game were killed with the standard  44-40 loads. Game has not became any tougher and dies no deader with the modern magnum calibers. A big hard flat pointed 250 grain lead bullet at 900  to 1000 FPS will kill any deer as long as you put it where it needs to be.

[rvtrav]

  Hello Guys,

  I appreciate the info you all have given. I didn't want to push any limits with the gun that I have, and feel pretty confident that I don't need to now. I have been looking through my reloading manuals and the .45 colt is right on par, if not slightly better than the .44-40, the .44-40 pushing a 220 gr cast lead bullet at around 1100 FPS, and the colt pushing the 250/255 grainers at ( hopefully)the same velocity, I don't have a manual that lists velocities for rifles, just pistols. And you'all have boosted my moral quite a bit for using the gun hunting.

  As much as I am a fan of cast bullets, I still wonder if jacketed bullets are any improvement, ( Utah insists on leaving the wording "expanding bullet" in their regulations.) I have hunted black bear with a replica 1875 smith and wesson scofield and was dissapointed at their lack of ( absoultely none)expansion, would another 100 or 200 fps from the rifle do any different?

  Also, if any of you have had a try at this with a chronograph, does a 200 gr bullet improve ballistics any? or should I stick with the 255 grain?

   I have loaded some cast 255 fn with 9.0 gr of unique, that I intend to take to the range tommorrow and give the gun a good test drive. One thing that struck my attention is the short action length of the rifle, loads that I had for the revolver would not cycle through the action, so I had to load some special to get things going.

  Thanks again Rvtrav

[Lloyd Smale]

At a 1000 fps and lower theres absolutly no advantage to a jacketed bullets. Most wont expand at those velocitys anyway and wont penetrate near as well as a good lfn or swc.

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
The point to the jacketed hollow point is to allow a small diameter bullet to expand and create a large wound-channel when it hits game. Your bullets are already .452". How big a hole do you want?
Bullet placement is everything and a big heavy bullet will plough through bones and vital organs far better than a lighter partially expanded slug.
Your cast bullet is an expanding bullet. It will deform if it hits something hard. The rule of which you speak is to prevent the use of military FMJ ammo.

Bitterroot

[rvtrav]

 Hello again to everyone,

  I agree with virtually everything posted on this thread. I like cast for many reasons better than jacketed, and Bitterroot, I feel that that is exactly why the law is there....I like to "roll my own" anyways, both the loads and the bullets.

  With my 255 gr cast and 9.0 gr unique I am getting consistent ( on target in the black) 3 to 3 1/2" groups at 60 yds, no leading, and the gun recoil and report is mild.  I'm happy with these results, but always looking to improve, does anyone have  better results with the replica '73s? I typically shoot open sights at 50 to 60 yds because of age I can't see good enough without a scope to stretch target consistency past that.