I’m getting a new rifle

[Gundogblue]

It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but it’s good to be back. I don’t participate in cawboy action shootin  nor do I hunt, but I do love cawboy guns and shootin them. I have steel targets set up on the property and enjoy killing steel every day. I’m not new to leeever guns as I already have 4 of them, a Henry Goldenboy, a Henry Bigboy in .357 mag, an 1894  Marlin in .44 mag, and a Miroku  made 1892 Winchester In .45 Colt. Last Tuesday I ordered a new Cimarron 1873 short rifle in .45 Colt, I’m really excited about it, I’ve always wanted an 1873 Winchester, ya know the gun that won the west😁!
I know this gun’s internals are completely different from my other leeever guns, from what I’ve read, that toggle link action isn’t nearly as strong as the others, so I’m thinking it’s prob best to keep my loads at the starting loads in the loadin manuals.
I also cast my own boolits, so the first thing I’m gonna do is slug the barrel, so I know what size to size my cast boolits. Another thing I’ve read is these rifles are really finicky to COAL, I’d appriciate it if any of you guys that have a rifle like this could point me to a good COAL to start with.
Paul

[DeaconKC]

Hiya Gundog, I have good results in my 1873 and my 1866 with 7.5 grains of Unique under a 200 grain RNFP. It's a mid-range load.

[Tornado]

Congratulations, I have the same rifle and really like it.  Going off memory (insert joke), I usually run a 200g RNFP over 5.8g of Trailboss at 1.580".

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[Johnny McCrae]

Congratulations, I have the same rifle and really like it.  Going off memory (insert joke), I usually run a 200g RNFP over 5.8g of Trailboss at 1.580".

This is the same load I use.

[Abilene]

The toggle link action isn't really "weak" but is not as robust as your '92.  Any load that you find in a loading manual will be safe, as long as it doesn't say "for Ruger or Thompson only".

The action on your '73 can be made much lighter and more friendly with a few simple twists of a screwdriver on some over-heavy springs: https://www.davidscottharper.com/shoot/PoorMan.htm

[Gundogblue]

Thanks much for all the good info, I really appriciate it. It’s good to know any load in the manuals, except for Ruger and Thomson is safe to shoot in the 73. As I said I only shoot for recreation at steel plates and paper targets so I keep my loads pretty mild anyway. They shoot good, don’t lead up the barrel, nor beat me or the gun up. Now it’s just waiting for her to come in, I ordered it on Tuesday, so there’s a chance it might come in today, I’ve wanted a 73 for a long time, I’m pretty excited.
Paul

[DeaconKC]

  And we DO expect pictures!

[Baltimore Ed]

Glad to have you back. Life sometimes gets in the way of our hobbies. As to your new rifle, congrats, short 1873 rifles are great looking and fun to shoot. I’ll add there’s nothing wrong with a uberti 1873 that aftermarket springs and screws can’t smooth out but try it before you change anything. You'll really like your 73. I have 3 toggle links and two ‘94s. Good shooting.

[King Medallion]

Phhttt! They ain't cowboy guns unless the caliber has a dash in it!! 

[Abilene]

Phhttt! They ain't cowboy guns unless the caliber has a dash in it!!  ;
 

What about 44 rimfire? 

[King Medallion]

What about 44 rimfire? 

Well, I reckon ya got me there!

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy King M.

I don't have any cowboy guns with a dash. I have some long range guns with a slash (/). I've always preferred to use a slash rather than a dash. I also think that the .45 Colt should never ba referred to as "long". I guess I'm a hidebound traditionalist.

Rev. Chase

[Hair Trigger Jim]

Phhttt! They ain't cowboy guns unless the caliber has a dash in it!! 

What's with this newfangled dash instead of just a W.C.F.?

[King Medallion]

What's with this newfangled dash instead of just a W.C.F.?

Too many caps and periods. 

[Baltimore Ed]

My 45colt rifle load has been 5.2 gr Clays or Clay Dot with a 225-255 gr rnfp or swc forever. I use the same load in my Schofield brass too.