deer load for '73

[jd45]

I have an 1873 Uberti Sporting Rifle in .45 Colt caliber; 24" barrel; pistol-grip stock, that I'm anxious to use this deer season. I'd like to work up a slightly warmer than standard velocity load to have a little edge out in the woods and I was thinking of 16grs of the new 2400 under a 255gr hard-cast swc. I know this rifle has the weak toggle-link action. Would anyone care to weigh in on whether this load would over stress the gun? I'm  trying not to go past 18000-20000cup or psi. I'm thinking the SAMMI spec is 15,900, and I'm thinking the gun is built with some cushion, pressure-wise.  Is that right? Thanx for your feedback, jd45

[Blackhawk44]

With this piece, its safety first.  First, the design of this rifle has no pressure 'cushion'.  Second the SAAMI pressure specs for the .45 Colt are 13000 psi, not 15,900, let alone 18-20,000 psi.  To hold Alliant 2400 within those specs you are looking at about 14-14.5gr, not 16gr.  2400 may or may not burn efficiently enough to use in this application.  A minimal expander button and a firm crimp will help most when trying to ignite lighter charges of slow powders.  
Find as many loading manuals as possible and powder and bullet manufacturers tables on the web and follow the average recommendations, staying away from any extremes and all loads listed for 'plus +' or Ruger/TC Only'.  Some of my latest observations indicate that Power Pistol could well be the powder that you are looking for.  
Remember that the large caliber, bullet weight and design will go a long way in making this a good killer and that no amount of powder is going to change it from a 75 yard rifle into a 200 yard grizzly zapper.  
Just think about how that 75 yard range will make you that much more of a hunter.  I know that my hunting thrill has certainly increased since I went to 'old' guns, 'old' cartridges and open sights.   BOL

[jd45]

Thanx, Blackhawk, for the sound advice, and excuse me for taking so long to post a reply.........I've been having trouble with the site........it's been kicking me back to the Log-in screen when I try to submit my reply. Anyway, I've been hearing about Power Pistol, too, as an option. Another may be XMP5744, which fills the case nicely, and the max load for a 255 is 17.8, which gives only 13,100cups. Also, I wouldn't dare take a shot beyond 75yds or so, especially without a branch to rest the gun on.......it's HEAVY, but it feels so good in my hands. What a work of art! Thanx, again, jd45.
P. S....Hope ya get YOUR deer, too!

[jd45]

Blackhawk, forget to ask your opinion.....what do you think of adding a Marble's tang-mounted peep on this rifle? I wouldn't consider a receiver, it just wouldn't look right on this gun. Your thoughts? Thanx, jd45

[Steve E]

jd45

     I have a Henry Steel frame in 45 Colt and absolutely love it. It is the same action as your 73, minus the loading gate of course. I plan to go after some Deer with it in the near future. The best load I have for it is a 255 gr. lead bullet over 8.0--8.5 gr of Uni Clays. It is very accurate in my gun which is sighted in at 75 yds. also.
I tried 5744 in mine in 1/2 gr increments from minimum to maximum loadings with regular and Magnum primers and was not satisfied at all with the accuracy. Maybe it'll work better for you. I just love hunting with these old(repro) guns.

                                          Steve E........

[jd45]

Steve, I'm gonna take your experience with 5744 to heart & set it aside for hunting loads & go with Power Pistol for them.....can still use it for target practice..........calling Blackhawk44, calling Blackhawk44..........come in Blackhawk44........jd45

[Blackhawk44]

Sorry I'm late.  Had to run to Cabela's (68 miles N).  While it might take a little getting used to, the Marble's tang sight is a great idea.  They were a  pretty common add on for lever actions after the turn of the last century.  I have a Marble's on my Browning 1895 and it really helped turn it into a 'shooter'.  The windage adjustment makes it well worth the money over a Lyman.  For me, a blade front sight has it all over a bead.  Easier to define both windage and elevation.  Mounted on the tang, you may have to develop a slightly different 'grip', but its no big deal.  Also, develop the habit of laying the sight down until you get on stand.  Trying to get in and out of trucks and crawling into stands with the sight erect can be a little frustrating.  All the best. BH

[jd45]

Thanx, Blackhawk44,.......I was really hoping to get a thumbs-up from you on the Marble's. I had a Lyman#2 on my Armi San Marco mfg'd 1892, which by the way was pre-drilled for it, but hated the no-windage adjustment feature. I'll stick with the front post sight.........I don't think anything else would look right on it, either, jd45

[Greeenriver]

I've had good luck the last few years using a Rossi model 92 in .45lc for Deer. The load I use is safe in your 73. I use a full case of Black Powder Sub under a 200grn HardCast RNFP bullet. The BP load is what the 73 action was designed for and shoots very well.  

The deer I have shot with this load couldn't tell the difference between this load and my old loads of, well, way too much 4227 powder and a 250grn JHP.

I realy love the idea of taking my game with the old loads, and they work much better than most people would think.

All of my shots are under 100yds where I hunt most of the time. Most are under 75 yds.

Greeenriver (I aim for the top of the frt shoulder and try to brake the back.)

[jd45]

Greenriver, I have plinked with H-777 loads. Very fun........might be interesting to use for deer. Their site has a 200gr as well as a 250gr load. I also have that Rossi in 45 Colt........it'a a fun little gun, but compared to my Uberti, it's a Cavalier to a Cadillac, Tnanx, JD45

[Griff, SASS93]

jd45,
I also have a Uberti '73 replica.  Have shot CAS w/it for about 20 years, and plan on hunting deer w/it this year.  I'm using a 240gr half jacketed HP Sierra bullet over 28 grs of Goex.  Whooomps nicely, and is deadly out to 125 yds.  Not exactly a traditional bullet, but I like the controlled expansion with the HP.  Does nicely on javelina also as long as I keep shots under 75 yards.  They're a little tougher skinned than deer!
If you're going to be using the rifle for hunting only, you might think about adding a peep front sight also.  I have one on my '94 that I made up from the standard front sight for a '74 Sharps (Long Range Express) when Shiloh still included sights on that model.  A little pricey to be filing on, (their dovetail is bigger than the '94), but boy is that rifle a tackdriver.

[jd45]

That's a good idea, Griff.........I put a globe front sight on a T/C Hawken frontloader several years ago that worked well with their hunting peep on the back. I'll check with my gunsmith about availability, but won't that metric-dimensioned dovetail be a problem? You think I'll need to have him fill it in & recut it in 3/8ths"? JD45