considering getting a replica lever action rifle.....

[James Kelly]

Original Henry rifles, Winch Model 1866 and the First Model 1873 had a design that permitted firing out of battery on occasion.
This can send the bolt through one's eye, on the way to scoop out a little brain. Rare, but it doe occur.
Italian Henry and Model 1866 replicas are made the same way.
Winchester's Miroku Henry and Model 1873 rifles appear to have the two design improvements to prevent this from happening.

I might suggest you study up on early Winchester actions to learn this yourself. Italian '73's should be fine.

[Dolt]

I've been loading a Winchester (Miroku) 1873 in 45 colt with full cases of Black MZ black powder substitute. Muzzle velocity with 200 gr. lead bullet is between 1400 and 1250. Barrel is clean as a whistle after 50 rounds. Groups 3-4 inches at 100 yards. I am sold on the Black MZ powder and Sportsmans Warehouse sells it for $10.00 per pound. Lee factory crimp die helps lots.

[1-12 INF (M)]

The 1894 Marlin in .357 is an excellent gun. Accurate, easy to shoot, can hunt all manner of game with it too - and handy. I had an 1873 Uberti in .45 Colt that didn't shoot worth a darn, I tried a lot of different handholds in that rifle, all gave lousy accuracy, although the gun sure was pretty. My '92 Winchester in .38-40 is a favorite - wonderfully accurate. If you want a '66 or '73 Winnie, I'd go with .44-40 - especially if you want to shoot black powder.

[blackhawknj]

I have a pre-safety Marlin 1894C, excellent. 38 WCs must be single loaded, do not feed well. Older Marlins have the Micro-Groove rifling, fine with jacketed bullets, accuracy with lead bullets can be tricky. The 38 Soecial started as a blackpowder load if you want to take that route.

[JimF]

. . . . . I had an 1873 Uberti in .45 Colt that didn't shoot worth a darn, I tried a lot of different handholds in that rifle, all gave lousy accuracy, although the gun sure was pretty. . . . . .

My Uberti Henry rifle in 45 Colt also gave lousy accuracy with my handloads, UNTIL . . .

I sized the bullets to .454” instead of the more modern/common .452”.

Made ALL the difference!

[Griff Murphey]

We had an old Army sniper, Perry Wilson, who did sales and gunsmithing at Ewell Cross/Elk Castle guns here in Fort Worth and he was into Indian War cowboy shooting. He liked to say: "...the Uberti 1873 is made just the way Winchester WOULD have made them, if they COULD!"

In other words he had a very high opinion of them.

I have the Browning 1886 repro and 1895 repros, my 95 is '06 so it's out of the historic zone for black powder, but with the '86 I never had any desire to fool with any BP loads. Having to get into casting and sizing lead bullets, and the hassle of cleaning and potential for rust just never raced my motor, so I dodged the center fire BP experience, myself. Have missed the cowboy shooting myself but I imagine most participants just use modern ammo in their modern guns, and live without the fun but corrosive smoke.

[dogtag]

Just read this old thread again.
Barrels corrode if you don't clean 'em. It's really that simple.

[AZshooter]

I've had a Winchester Uberti 1873 for about a year now. .357 is comfortable and plenty accurate. Also have an 1873 Uberti Colt in .357. both are welll-made and beautifully finished in case hardening.