Can anyone help with a few questions? The last time I messed around with BP/BP simulating powders was about eight years ago. I was fooling around with a substitute (can’t remember the name) in my 45 LC. The crap left white residue all through my pistol and was harder to clean than BP. That swore me off all BP and substitutes. Recently, I picked up a Uberti 1876 in 45-60. I figured I’d be able to bone-up on loading information without much problem…wrong! Here’s my list?

45-60 Brass – According to all sources, I should be able to make these out of 45-70 cases. When checking dimensions in “Cartridges of the World,†however, there appears to be several discrepancies in the two cartridges. In some forums, folks have stated the 45-70 rims won’t fit in their Uberti… any ideas about this?

The book lists .454 as the bullet diameter for the 45-60 and .458 for the 45-70. What are other Uberti shooters using?

I’ve found one or two smokeless loads for 4198, anyone know of any others? What about wads and/or wadding?

I fell in love with this rifle and want to start shooting it, but all the variations in information gives me concerns about damaging it and/or myself, any help you guys could provide would be welcome. I’d even like to try BP or substitute loads if there is something available that doesn’t necessitate cleaning the rifle on the range as well as when I get home…Thanks again.

I had my Uberti 45 Colt highwall rechambered to 45-60 because the groove was .451 and bore accordingly. Some of the first imported 1876 replica levers, not Uberti ones, were apparently chambered short in the rim, thus very tight headspace and would not take reformed 45-70 cases because of rim thickness problems. That was soon corrected and reforming 45-70 is the way to go. Cases must be shortened though. BTW I'm using a 45-70 310 tool to reload with too, and for me even 45 Colt will work. Slug your bore for the proper bullet fit. I'm using 2400 and a 350 grain cast bullet wirh a gas check and groups run 1 1/2" for ten shots at 100 yards. AA 5744 works well too, just reduce 45-70 data to the start level. I use 1/4 sheet of tp folded and down hard on the powder, NRA alox lube. N.S.

Go here for info

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?board=89.0

My Uberti 45-60 was one of the earlier ones and I did have to thin the rims down to .058" (45-70s come ~.065"). .060 would work but it closed hard, so I went a little thinner. There still seems to be enough variation in the M76s (of both brands) that you won't know for certain what the exact head space is until to try it. Granted, thinning rims (accurately) is a major pain without a lathe. My barrel was very well made (magnifying bore scope) and measured .4573 groove diameter. I shoot .458 or .459. It doesn't seem to have a preference.