Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

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Smayone
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Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

Post by Smayone »

If I bought a Uberti 1873 rifle in 357 Mag / 38 Spc to shoot Pistol Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette could I shoot factory ammo in it? I understand plus P is out of the question but I don't reload.
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Merlin
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Re: Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

Post by Merlin »

I shoot my Cimarron .357 with 357 brass loaded to 1000-1230 fps and it is a super nice light feeling light recoiling loading. Was using 158s but went to 125s and they are way more than sufficient for PC animals. A very light load for a 357 is similar to a +P for the 38 Special. I believe it easily capable of 38+P but regular 38 would knock them all over... A .22 LR will most of the time with 50% of the energy of the weakest .38 Special loadings.


Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
9.53 g (147 gr) Cor-Bon FMJ 900 ft/s (270 m/s) 264 ft⋅lbf (358 J)
8.1 g (125 gr) Hornady JHP 900 ft/s (270 m/s) 225 ft⋅lbf (305 J)
8.1 g (125 gr) Underwood FMJ +P 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) 278 ft⋅lbf (377 J)
10.24 g (158 gr) Grizzly JHP +P 975 ft/s (297 m/s) 333 ft⋅lbf (451 J)
6.48 g (100 gr) Cor-bon PB +P 1,150 ft/s (350 m/s) 294 ft⋅lbf (399 J)

Per Wiki

Just my opinion.
"Only God can judge me." Merlin

"Merlin..Your'e a rimfire whore." God

NRA Lever Action Silhouette - You get more clang for your bang with lever action silhouette.....
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DonM
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Re: Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

Post by DonM »

I shoot factory 158 357's in mine, and I shoot reloads with 158 gr cast bullets loaded the same as i shoot my revolvers, but the one thing I do have to watch when shooting reloads is keeping the oil short enough they'll cycle thru the action, but single loading some of the rounds my Ruger likes works fine. Most any 38 factory load should work cycle just fine, with the added benefit of a bit more velocity from the barrel on that rifle, as there's no gas loss from the cylinder gap and short barrel of a handgun.
375Short
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Re: Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

Post by 375Short »

they are chambered for .357 and will handle factory .357

If you purchase a 1873 chambered for .357 you will find it probably will feed best with factory length .357, 38’s are a little short and tend to cause jams. They have made models chambered in just .38sp and that model would work just fine for Pistol Cartridge. Watching Gunbroker a few time’s I have noticed the .38sp model fetch a little less money than a .357 chambering.

As suggested by others the full potential of a .357 is not needed. You won’t need the added recoil and the targets don’t need the energy. You not being a reloader look for the mildest most inexpensive remanufactured or new ammo you can find. It will work just fine. A bonus to your .357 choice is you have a rifle to shoot Cartridge lever action ( High-power lever gun) if you wanted.

My guess is it may be the most popular PC choice. It’s versatile and ammo / components are generally available.

Welcome to the sport. It can cause a sudden lust for various new rifles.
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Sporty
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Re: Uberti 1873 Ammo Limitations

Post by Sporty »

Yes, you can shoot factory .357 Magnum ammo in it but you'll likely get your best grouping from hand loads. I do not recommend Geco .38 Special 158 grain JHP. It had the best groups of all the factory ammo I tested but different lots gave me squibs in my Winchester 1873 Sporter.
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Retired match director @ Piedmont Gun Club, Rutherdfordton, NC
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