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I've resisted getting a Uberti or Miroku 1873 until now but the latest offering by Winchester has my willpower down to all but nothing. But my question is what caliber should I get? .45 Colt or .44-40WCF?
Use will mostly be occasional plinking, thinking about getting into cowboy action so it would be my rifle for that if I do. I don't care about having handguns and rifle matching calibers if I were to get into CAS.
I don't currently handload for either caliber but I'm looking to expand my reloading operation soon.
Wouldn't be my primary hunting gun but I wouldn't be opposed to taking it out for one of our desert muleys.
I already have a Vaquero and a 92 in .45 Colt. The 92 shoots alright even though Miroku cuts a very generous chamber for the .45. But the .44-40 and the 73 were made for each other. With the 92 I can load hot, with the 73 I can not so calibers would be much closer in power and range.
Anybody got any ideas to sway my decision one way or another?
I'm with Barbarossa.......just a personal opinion but something about a 45 L. Colt in a levergun bothers me. Its ballistically better for bigger game but if I was gunnin' for elk or bear there's better choices.---6
I have both and enjoy both rounds....
45LC in the long barrel and 44-40 in the short rifle configuration.
Both Uberti....Japchester are very well made...but I just cant pull the trigger on one....
one is stoeger....the 45Lc
the other EMF ...the 44-40
both have kind of heavy triggers...
44-40 is a bit harder to reload...but as long as the brass is lubed properly
and the dies are clean and true, its not too bad...
Beautiful rifles....
Photo09022003_1.jpg
check out the 38-40 too
day at the range 009.jpg
beergirl.jpg
Whatever you get...you will enjoy it!
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The 44 WCF is more historically authentic although I can understand keeping things simple by adding another 45. Both should be reliable and one will plink and punch paper about as good as the other. I would slightly prefer the 45 for hunting, but either will do if not over extended. Get whichever you fancy.
I have one in .357 and really like it.
I have .45 Colt rifles in 1860, 1866 and 1892 versions. The only one I shoot much is the 92 since I can shoot +P+ with it and have taken plenty of hogs and mule deer with it.
I may liquidate some things and buy an 1866 Miroku in .44-40
"Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one less scoundrel in the world." - Thomas Carlyle
Another vote for the 44-40. I had an original '73 back towards the end of the last century. The chamber was badly eroded and it split every third cartridge case or so, but it was grand. Have wanted one in shootable condition ever since. The only other cartridge that interests me in that platform is the 38-40, but that's not available at this time so the 44-40 is "right" for the rifle. Now, in a '92, I'd be tempted to opt for the 45 for the possibility of running it hot to match my Vaquero. I'm still kicking myself for not having picked up the Rossi in 45 Colt I came across back in '01...
Paul - in Pereira
"He is the best friend of American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion." -- John Witherspoon
I'm surprised at how many more votes the .44-40 got over the .45 Colt. I thought I was set on the .45 but the more I thought about it I'm afraid I'd damage the gun. I really want to try some of the "midrange" 20,000psi loads from Brian Pierce with the 270 SAA bullet but that would be real hot in this gun (fine for my 92 and Vaquero). Thats what prompted me to ask here, I figure with a .44-40 I wouldn't be tempted to hot rod it at all. Nowhere close to being ready to try BP as a couple of you suggested (though it does look like fun in the videos).
I'm for the 44-40 based on it being an original chambering. The hard part would be figuring out which 1873 variation to go with since Miroku offers a few but I'd lean toward a SRC.
kaschi wrote: ↑Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:28 pm
I'm for the 44-40 based on it being an original chambering. The hard part would be figuring out which 1873 variation to go with since Miroku offers a few but I'd lean toward a SRC.
The model would be as pictured. Deluxe Sporting! I already have better saddle guns should I ever get a chance to need one again.
i want a 1873 in 44-40 ran out of room in my gun case. got a remington bdl .17 hmr with a scope i'm willing to let go to acquire one. ammo not cheap either, about a 1.50 rd
Rossi 92 .357 lever , and a cz pcr 9mm
Henry .22 lever, Remington speedmaster 552 .22 lr
Marlin Glenfield .22 boltaction
gforce 12ga semi
Taylor's Tactical 1911 A1 FS in .45acp
ruger vaquero, 357 magnum
Marlin 336W .30.30
beeman sportsman rs2 dual caliber pellet rifle
henry .22 magnum pumpaction/octagon barrel
stag 5.56 m4 with reddot
44shooter wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:53 pm
The 44 WCF is more historically authentic although I can understand keeping things simple by adding another 45. Both should be reliable and one will plink and punch paper about as good as the other. I would slightly prefer the 45 for hunting, but either will do if not over extended. Get whichever you fancy.
The day will come when You will load "Holy Black Powder" in Your '73. And then You will be Happy You got the .44-40. It's something that the rifle just begs for. .
.45colt wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:30 am
The day will come when You will load "Holy Black Powder" in Your '73. And then You will be Happy You got the .44-40. It's something that the rifle just begs for. .
Expecially if you like cleaning your rifles as much as you do shooting them.
(I thought 44-40 brass was hard to come by and that case life was short and iffy.)
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
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HawkCreek wrote: ↑Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:29 amI'm surprised at how many more votes the .44-40 got over the .45 Colt. I thought I was set on the .45 but the more I thought about it I'm afraid I'd damage the gun. I really want to try some of the "midrange" 20,000psi loads from Brian Pierce with the 270 SAA bullet but that would be real hot in this gun (fine for my 92 and Vaquero). Thats what prompted me to ask here, I figure with a .44-40 I wouldn't be tempted to hot rod it at all. Nowhere close to being ready to try BP as a couple of you suggested (though it does look like fun in the videos).
I have six rifles in 45 Colt. They ALL have near max SAAMI dimensions. The reason for this is to accommodate a wide variety of bullet shapes and sizes... within some reason. The reason I don't have even one rifle in .44-40, is that I have no interest in loading that cartridge. That said, I love my 45 Colt rifles... I have a much more versatile selection in bullet design, style and size. But... on the other hand, with my cowboy actions shooting I need to make modifications to ensure that blow-back doesn't affect the gun's operation over the course of pretty much any shooting event. 1st & foremost, the carrier is clearance to a point that most folks will call "sloppy"...; but, they work fine, and the soot generated for either dirty smokeless powders or the one true powder doesn't interfere with a complete day's shooting. I've actually shot several two day matches without the NEED to clean my rifle. Generally speaking, I do however...
The .44-40, being a bottle-neck, doesn't suffer from the blow-by that plagues the 45 Colt. However, full power 45 Colts are also not plagued with blow-by. And I can run my 1892 to Ruger pressures if I want. Even paltry Colt SAA level loads aren't anything to sneeze at. A little 200 grain cast RFN @ ~900fps doesn't generate much blow-by, and knocks coyotes azz-over-teakettle! A maneuver that they simply don't get up from!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
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GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession! AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
44shooter wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:53 pm
The 44 WCF is more historically authentic although I can understand keeping things simple by adding another 45. Both should be reliable and one will plink and punch paper about as good as the other. I would slightly prefer the 45 for hunting, but either will do if not over extended. Get whichever you fancy.
Just a few weeks ago when I posed this these rifles were all over gunbroker and other places online. Last night I could find only ONE website with anything other than .38/.357 in stock, being as these are limited runs I figured I was SOL. Searched all over and found Buds had "less than 5 in stock" in .44-40 so the caliber decision was made for me. Hopefully I'll have it and be able to post pictures in a week or two!
Great choice! I bought a new one a month or so ago, in 44-40 of course. Don't worry, Starline has plenty of brass and it lasts a very long time. You simply must load some black for maximum fun. It easy to clean up and once you get your rifle seasoned to Ballistol it gets even easier. Just remember water is your friend. Hot water and access to an air hose to dry it with is nice too. As I already had a Uberti sporting rifle and a 20 inch octagon short rifle I bought the saddle ring carbine. I have an original from 1895 but it is quite worn and doesn't group very well. That may just be my eyes though. I've been shooting the black since I was 14 and I'll be 80 next year so lots of experience with it. These are all 44-40.
My old one from 1895 and the new one. Pretty close to the same.
M. M. Wright, Sheriff, Green county Arkansas (1860)
Currently living my eternal life.
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I would've for the .45 for ease of reloading and ammo availability. I don't care what they used to have, just what I have. I have a Rossi .45 with a tight chamber that feeds well. Maybe that is a bit unusual.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
M. M. Wright wrote: ↑Thu Aug 16, 2018 4:02 pm
Great choice! I bought a new one a month or so ago, in 44-40 of course. Don't worry, Starline has plenty of brass and it lasts a very long time. You simply must load some black for maximum fun. It easy to clean up and once you get your rifle seasoned to Ballistol it gets even easier. Just remember water is your friend. Hot water and access to an air hose to dry it with is nice too. As I already had a Uberti sporting rifle and a 20 inch octagon short rifle I bought the saddle ring carbine. I have an original from 1895 but it is quite worn and doesn't group very well. That may just be my eyes though. I've been shooting the black since I was 14 and I'll be 80 next year so lots of experience with it. These are all 44-40.
My old one from 1895 and the new one. Pretty close to the same.
Very very nice, I'm envious, no I'm bloody envious....
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
Well I was able to pick the new Miroku 1873 today. My first .44-40, I got the only box of Ultramax ammo they had. It might be the nicest Miroku I've got! I had time to work the action once (very slightly gritty) but as nice as my 1895's are I dont expect that to be any issue. Beautiful case coloring as well as figure in both the stock and forearm. Unfortunately you'll have to wait until I fly back home next week for pictures. I need to order a tang sight and I'm thinking about a short stroke kit as well but I plan to shoot it a bit first before deciding on that.
Last edited by COSteve on Sun May 30, 2021 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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ran out of room in my gun case. got a remington bdl .17 hmr with a scope i'm willing to let go to acquire one. ammo not cheap either, about a 1.50 rd 
Expecially if you like cleaning your rifles as much as you do shooting them.
