Uberti 1873 Trapper 357mag question

[Karl.T]

If you own a Uberti 1873 rifle in 357mag and reload for it using 357 cases and 158gr LSWC or LRNFP what OAL have you found that will cycle thru the lifter?

I loaded up a few test rounds following the load data for Trail Boss and the OAL listed is 1.610. My test rounds were precisely 1.610 and first round got stuck in the lifter. Yay. Had to remove side plates to free the round.

BTW.. ALL loads for this rifle will be mild range loads using 357 brass and cast lead. If I want hot rod loads I have a Marlin 1894 .44Mag.

 

[troy fairweather]

i have loaded for the win 66 and 73 both uberti. i liked to run the col as long as possible. the gates dont like feeding short rounds.

 

[Karl.T]

Do you remember your 357 OAL for the 73? The published length of 1.610 for Trail Boss and 158gr LSWC on the Hodgdon load data site was too long. In fact everything Hodgdon shows for 158gr lead loads is the same 1.610 and this will not cycle thru my 73 because it's too long.

Factory loads in 357 cycle perfect, 38Sp factory loads perfect. The factory 158gr JFP I have measures 1.580 to 1.585 and that's in line with Hodgdon posted data for Jacketed loads.

 

[troy fairweather]

Do you remember your 357 OAL for the 73? The published length of 1.610 for Trail Boss and 158gr LSWC on the Hodgdon load data site was too long. In fact everything Hodgdon shows for 158gr lead loads is the same 1.610 and this will not cycle thru my 73 because it's too long.

Factory loads in 357 cycle perfect, 38Sp factory loads perfect. The factory 158gr JFP I have measures 1.580 to 1.585 and that's in line with Hodgdon posted data for Jacketed loads.

not off hand it was a older uberti tho. what is the length of your carrier block. swc are not the best for the 66 or 73 the sharp lip hangs up when entering the chamber.

 

[rskent]

Karl Is there a reason you don’t want to just load a few dummy rounds at 1.580 (or at whatever length) and try them out?

 

[Karl.T]

rskent,

I just wanted to know what was working for others in this rifle and load. Since I have about 500 of these bullets and almost no 38sp brass I just want to use it up, but safely! I am very OCD about following published load data and this is the first time I ran into an issue with OAL in 30 years of reloading.

Since I know 1.580 to 1.590 cycles thats what I will load to.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have no experience with that particular rifle but I have lots of experience with others in .357 and .45 Colt. I have found that running right as max OAL can be a problem. I have loaded down to 1.550” without issue but 1.580-1.590 seems to have worked best all the way around for me.