Wasn't sure where to put this. Hope its ok here.
I use a 73 Uberti in 45 LC for some of the CAS shooting I do. The fired brass from this gun shows a lot of smoke, maby even should call it soot on about 25% of the case all the way back to the rim of the brass. The gun has about 1000 rds through it and has always done it. A friend of mine said mabe the chamber was out of round and allowing the blowby. Another friend said that possibly the cases for the CAS laod is of such low pressure that it wont fully expand in the chamber. I did notice that with Hotter loads the soot is less. I use Starline brass and they say its pretty hard. I am a little stumped here and need some opinions before I send it back to Uberti for a look. Thanks Maddog

Lack of pressure in the case will allow powder gasses to leak back into the chamber as the case doesn't expand to press against the chamber walls. If the chamber is a bit over large that will add to the problem. Have you tried loading up to the point that blowby doesn't happen? I would suppose there is a limit to the pressure one can release in a 73 and I confess I don't have a clue what that pressure point is.

Thanks Bull, I think I will try some hot loads (well for the 1873)and see if it seals up a little. Thanks again. maddog

I have the same basic action in an 1860 Henry (steel frame) style Uberti and was getting the same results with the smoking of the cases. I upped the charge, but stayed within the Colt reloading section and most of the soot went away. I also use Star Line brass, the sooting didn't seem as bad when I used Winchester brass also.

Steve E.......

It's the nature of the beast and with light cowboy loads its totally normal and expected.
Starline brass is top notch quality, fairly heavy and less flexable, but you'll be able to load them damn near forever with cowboy loads.
Winchester brass is a touch thinner so it will expand better to seal the chamber, but you will see a decrease in life.

To reduce sooting you'll want to load with a powder that gives a short sharp pressure spike, like Bullseye or W231, a long slow pressure build like Unique or American Select, or Trail Boss will generate more blowback.

Its a trade off, do you want faster follow up shots due to less muzzle jump and keep the sooty cases or can you live with increased recoil of heavier charges to get less sooty cases.

Rusty, That is a great help, as I am using trail boss. Thank you
All of you are very helpful. The sooting really doesen't bother me. The idea of something wrong with my gun drives me nuts.
Thank again to all. And please keep the opinions comming..

MADDOG,

The best way to "fix" it, is to get one in 44 wcf (44-40), and use REAL blackpowder!

My Uberti 73 in 44wcf spits the fired BP cases out so clean my buddy had to get one too! He couldn't believe the difference between the cartridges. The wcf case us much thinner brass, and bottlenecked, and seals much better. Never tried smokeless out of it though...

Slim.
Thanks that's a great idea.
Anything for another gun...Hummm

Up powder charge for a fraction of a cent (of witch seams to be workin)..

Or buy a new 44-40 for $1050.00, get 44-40 quick change set up for Dillon $200, have full race kit put in 44-40 $500.00
Buy New 44-40 Pistol to match rifle, $500.00
O ya need 2 pistols + $500.00
TOTAL $2750.00
You're right Slim, I'm off to the gun shop

Thanks Guys

Glad I could help.




I give great advice. I don't always give cheap advice. But I DO give great advice.