Cimarron '73 .44 Special question

[MtnGun]

Does anyone here shoot the '73 in .44 Special? Does it feed and chamber Keith bullets?

[Griff]

I don't have one in .44, but my .45Colt doesn't like 'em. The sharp edges of the Keith type tend to hang up on the mouth of the chamber. They eventually can be "jiggled" into the chamber... but not smoothly... all the time.

[Sixgun]

I have several original 1873's in 44 WCF and they all eat up the SWC. There's no ramp on a 73 like there is on a 92. It's straight on in.-----6

[Griff]

I have several original 1873's in 44 WCF and they all eat up the SWC. There's no ramp on a 73 like there is on a 92. It's straight on in.-----6

'Tis the difference between a bottleneck and a straight wall case. Your bottleneck doesn't put the shoulder of the bullet in contact with the mouth of the chamber like a straight walled case will. Not that I'm disagreein' with you... but...

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Generally a little ramping on the bottom of the chamber mouth will allow them to feed better.

[Sixgun]

I have several original 1873's in 44 WCF and they all eat up the SWC. There's no ramp on a 73 like there is on a 92. It's straight on in.-----6

'Tis the difference between a bottleneck and a straight wall case. Your bottleneck doesn't put the shoulder of the bullet in contact with the mouth of the chamber like a straight walled case will. Not that I'm disagreein' with you... but...

Yea, your right Griff...never thought about that.-------6

[M. M. Wright]

I'm with 6 on this. I do have a Colt SAA in 44 Special but it always wears a 44-40 cylinder to match up with 2 73s and a 92 in that caliber. I do know if you rechamber a 44 Special to 44-40 it leaves a ring around the chamber that doesn't clean up. But they do feed better. Don't ask how I know this.

[MtnGun]

Thanks for all the information!

[jd45]

Griff, would seating the SWC with the front driving band flush with the .45 case mouth help feeding? There'd also be the added advantage of a little shorter OAL. I don't know, just asking. Maybe I should do a test with some dummy carts & my '73 myself & see. jd45

[Griff]

Maybe I should do a test with some dummy carts & my '73 myself & see. jd45

Capital idea! I just know that the 250 Keiths I had loaded wouldn't feed without some "jiggling". Same with my 1860 Henry. Now I just load round flat nose bullets... no problems.