I have a Uberti 1871 Baby Rolling Block in 357 Magnum and was wondering if I should stick to pistol data or will it handle a steady diet of loads using the rifle data for the 357 Magnum? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, especially from someone with experience with the 1871's.

Steve E........

Hmmm, I'm not aware there's any difference. I grabbed my Hodgdon's just now, and the rifle and pistol data are the same. The .357 is no low pressure round, and I'm certain SAAMI makes no distinction.

Europe's CIP uses (I believe) a slightly weaker factory proof than SAAMI requires, and the Uberti factory is in Europe. The .357 makes more breech thrust than the rounds this size rolling block was originally chambered for. Frankly, I'd load it down a smidge.

By the way, when did you get yours? I wasn't able to find one. I had a hankering to rebore one to .44 Spl.

asdf
A couple of the legitimate reloading sources I have show a seperate listing for 357 Magnum Rifle, they are only about 1 gr. or so above the Pistol loadings, that was why I asked the question. I guess with just about anything it is better to not run at full throttle, makes sense it would last longer especially the older designs. I got mine from http://www.EMF.com(1-800-430-1310) and IAR called me to see if I still wanted one(I was on their waiting List) 1-877-722-1873. As the first of this week they both had some, EMF also had some with a 26 inch Octagon barrel, they come with Case Hardened receivers, I believe they use the Chemical process for that. Too bad it's not the orignal process but then it would make the cost go up.
Can't wait to run some 180 cast through it.

Steve E.........

Thanks for the info Steve E. I'm living overseas now, and the "channels" to acquire a rifle are a wee bit longer. I'm tempted to buy one and have it shipped to a friend in the US, for safe keeping until I return. I need to talk to a gunsmith about some changes I'd want to make.

I know what you mean by being overseas, the Air Force has us stationed in Hawaii, not as bad as being as outside the US but it is a little harder than being on the mainland when it comes to some things.
If you want one don't wait, I found that over the years if you put off getting a gun it gets pushed back easier and easier or it gets discontinued or something happens.
I am going to get one and convert it to 32-20. That is going to be neat to shoot.
DON'T WAIT, get it.

Steve E.......

The reason I wait is I'm trying to get a No. 7 replica from Lone Star Rifles, but he's having trouble with his castings supplier. If he gives up, I'll get an Uberti and have him make up a No. 2 style rifle instead. This No. 7 was announced after I first tried to get an Uberti. Were it not for the No. 7, I'd already have acted on the information you gave.