TCRken,
Just a few observations, and some tried and true advice to ponder. I wanted a '76 for years. Been to many gun shows and gun shops through out the west and handled quite a few Chaparrals and a few Ubertis - as well as originals. The Ubertis were decent, the Chapparals were rough. Again, just my experience. Then the calibers. I reload extensively, but as I'm sure you know it'll be a considerable expense to get set up. Then, the deal breaker for me was the weight. This beautiful design is a real log to tote around. I don't shoot matches, my main passion is hunting. After much deliberation and research and hand wringing I picked up a really nice new Uberti '73, straight stock, cresent butt, 24" oct. barrel in 44WCF (44-40). This gun is not light, but very manageable. Last year we took two antelope, a huge mulie and a late season big whitetail buck with winchester brass loaded w/ GOEX 3F and soft 209 gr. flat nose SPG lubed bullets. All shots over 130 yds, all completely penentrated the boiler room and kept going out the other side. All down within a few yards. 44-40 is easy to load, cheap components, accurate. It is also deadly. I'm really glad I went w/ the '73 now. If you really want a '76, go for it, they certainly are a neat gun with great history behind them, but if you are feeling you need the power of the 45-60 or 45-75 (or the 50-95 cannon round!) for deer, you really don't. Don't know where you live, assuming the west since you mentioned mulies, but if you are going to go after elk too, that's a different story.
Hope this little bit of insight from actual experience helps. Good luck!
shieldsmt