lever gun advice

[505stevec]

I am going to sell one of my EBRs(Colt Ar-15 9mm) due to lack of utility. I am goin to replace it with either a Uberti 1860 or 1866. Which claliber is best? .45 colt or 44-40? I am looking to possibly get into Cowboy Action this year but have a Rossi 92 in .357 that I would use. My dilema is, of the two which is better for hunting, and up to what can you hunt with it. I have never owned either caliber and want something I can utilize to the best. I really dont want the .38 special in either, again only useful for competition. Any help is appreciated.

[Ysabel Kid]

.45 Colt in the 1866 for what you describe. The .45 is just a great all-around cartridge, very versatile and easy to reload. The 1866 with it's loading gate will be a touch easier to reload while hunting - should you need to - than the 1860. The action strength is pretty much the same, and like all toggle-link designs, you can't go maximum power with either - but for most game here, the .45 Colt at standard pressures is plenty!

Good luck and be sure to post pictures when you get your new lever!

[AndyM]

+1 what Ysabel said
Although - if using it for hunting - I would look into a Winchester 92 type of action in 45 colt - that would let you handload the 45 colt to higher levels. See Paco's article on 45 colt in leverguns - alot of good info there

[J Miller]

I am going to sell one of my EBRs(Colt Ar-15 9mm) due to lack of utility. I am goin to replace it with either a Uberti 1860 or 1866. Which claliber is best? .45 colt or 44-40? I am looking to possibly get into Cowboy Action this year but have a Rossi 92 in .357 that I would use. My dilema is, of the two which is better for hunting, and up to what can you hunt with it. I have never owned either caliber and want something I can utilize to the best. I really dont want the .38 special in either, again only useful for competition. Any help is appreciated.

Of the two choices you list I'd pick the 1866 as well. I've got quite a bit of experience loading the .45 Colt in carbines and Trappers, so I'd tend towards the .45 Colt as well.
On the other hand the 44-40 will feed better and if you choose to shoot black powder it will seal the chamber better than the straight walled .45 Colt.
You can hunt deer, hogs, and stuff that size with either. But as said above, you'll have to stay away from the +P type loads.

Joe

[Hobie]

+1 what Ysabel said
Although - if using it for hunting - I would look into a Winchester 92 type of action in 45 colt - that would let you handload the 45 colt to higher levels. See Paco's article on 45 colt in leverguns - alot of good info there

Dittos. You lose utility by going with the toggle-links. If you're going to shoot SASS I'd go with the .44 WCF (.44-40).

[rjohns94]

all the posts above give you more than enough to think about. My vote would follow YK's post but if you are going to be primarily doing SASS, I like what Hobie said.

[505stevec]

I have two 92's. one in 44 mag and one in .357 mag. I love the look of the Henry and the 66. Why is the 44-40 better for SASS? Are they both equally good for game? Also up to what game are we talking here considering what you all are saying they will not take heavy loads. Do they only take Cowboy loads or will they take regular pressure loads? My thought is toward the Henry because I think it is a beautiful rifle or maybe both decisions decisions

[J Miller]

Steve,

The toggle link actions WILL take the standard pressure loads of the 44-40 and the .45 Colt.
BUT they are not suited to the +P type hunting loads as produced by CorBon, Buffalo Bore, Grizzly and others. Nor are they suited to the Ruger T/C type loads as found in the loading manuals.

If you keep them with in SAAMI specs 14,000 PSI for the .45 Colt, and 13,000 CUP for the 44-40 they'll be fine.
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm

Joe

[RIHMFIRE]

I too am looking into the Cowboy Action Shooting and 38/357
is the way to go there....just because of the cost of reloading...
I have the uberti 73 45 colt and its a good shooter....
and I agree with Ysabel Kid about the 66 and the range of the 45 colt
loads.....and could be used for hunting deer or hogs.
I also have the 73 44-40...and the cost of reloads is just a bit
higher than 45 colt....Brass is a bit pricey...
I have been watching a bunch of videos on cowboy action shooting
and they all seem to have 66s and 73s....I dont recall if 92s are legal
Everyone I have talked to or listened to on tv says got to a match
and if you show genuine interest...they will let you shoot there guns and give advice....Check out Myoutdoortv.com

http://myoutdoortv.com/pdk/web/rl-popup ... kpgMXnr7OZ

[Swampman]

The .44-40 is so problematic to reload, and case life is so short that I'd get the .45 Colt.

1892 clones in .38 Special are legal, and much more competitive. Most clubs are so relaxed about SASS rules that it's anything goes. After 2 years of shooting against guys wearing sneakers, t-shirts, & shorts I gave up on CAS.

[Griff]

Hmmm... interesting replies....

Reloads ARE easier in the '66. It, along with its' cousin, the '73 are THE guns for CAS competition. Then the Marlin '94, Win '92 and trailin' in the distance is the Win '94.

The 1860 Henry is just so MUCH cooler lookin', tho'. But is does have that follower to dance around.

The .44-40 is a little more expensive & problematic to reload. Problems that fade as you get attuned to the cartridge. But you WILL be donating brass to the Gods of grass and guys with size 13 boots that can't see where they're puttin' 'em.

Now fer caliber: Huntin' with either is about the same..., but, the .45 has a better selection of bullets. Same for competition. But if ya wanna be competitive go fer the .38/.357 chambering. As for the BP thing... use real BP and load 'em like you mean business and that lil' bit of fouling ain't gonna stop ya. After about 4 or 5 stages (40-50 rounds) I squirt some brake cleaner around my lifter and I'm good for the rest of the day. Some days, if it goes fast I'll go all 6 stages before my lifter gets sticky. I use about 35grs of FFFg behind a 225gr boolit lubed w/SPG. DO NOT use a grease or liquid lube on the lifter, (my secret is a little powdered graphite). Oh, my rifle? A Uberti Model '73 Sporting Rifle in .45 Colt.


The above comments are based on my experience and observations in CAS competitions since 1985. Way back when I was tryin' to be competitive in the BP category I placed and won the BP category in several big matches. It can be done... but... you have to put time and money into a sinful activity called practice!

[505stevec]

Thanks for the help. I think I will one day get the Henry because I love the looks of it. But for now I will get the 66 in .45 colt.