Win/Miroku 1873 .357/38Spc.

[Randy Bohannon]

A few months ago the local gun pusher had one these rifles on the shelf for a very good price.I would have preferred the 44/40 but they are not easily obtained for sub 1K$. It has been an adventure in getting this rifle up and shooting it is very picky about bullet profile it likes. Midway had the RCBS 158 gr. RNFP on sale for $60.00.The bullet has one big lube groove.I had cast up bunch with Lyman #2 and sized them .359. I had good accuracy with a couple of powders. I installed the MVA non level front sight and a Schutezen tang sight.
I thought I would anneal up 50 pieces of Scrapline brass and load them up with 20grs.of O.E. 2f.Bullets were cast with 16:1 alloy, pan lubed the bullets with my bastardized SPG lube. Had to use the expander from my 38 S&W dies and a Lee carbide factory crimp die. This is the target I shot this morning at 100 yds. I am very pleased with how well it shot. I just felt right and I think this rifle will not see anymore of the smokeless powder.

[Hanz]

Sounds like a fun project for sure. Nice target, I'm sure you'll tighten it up a bit as you get a bit more acquainted with the rifle.

[Randy Bohannon]

Yes I expect that will be the case I need to do some tweaking on the tang sight. I was having to hold a fair amount of windage left.

[Don McDowell]

Those are nice rifles. I wish they would come out with one in 38-40.
Your target doesn't look to bad, like Hanz said a bit more work with it and things will probably really look great.

[Lumpy Grits]

Give these a try.
https://www.montanabulletworks.com/produ...gr-rfp-pb/
Those Japchesters are very nicely made.
Gary

[Randy Bohannon]

Lumpy those are cast from the same mold I am using. I prefer the 16:1 alloy with SPG lube unsized with black powder. So far the rifle likes them with smokeless and Ben's Red lube as well.The mold has been a nice surprise for $60.00. I wouldn't mind a heavier bullet closer to 180 grs. I tried some of their 180's and had problems with them feeding maybe a 170 gr. would be worth a try.

[Lumpy Grits]

The '73 has a very narrow acceptable COAL range for feeding.
Usually load the round so the COAL is about .030" shorter than the carrier is.
LG

[Randy Bohannon]

Makes sense and mimics my experience so far.