Just thought I'd update this little project.

Finally managed to acquire some H110 and some Small Pistol Magnum primers, the latter being quite hard to find.

I chose to use loading data from my Lyman 49th Edition over Hogdon's own, the Lyman data listed higher velocities however I must stress their max charge is much more than Hogdons.

Because the 1873 has a weak action I borrowed the club Ruger 77/357 for this round of tests, it's very light and has a horrid heavy trigger so its accuracy potential is limited.

Unfortunately I cannot give you any velocity data as the club Chrono doesn't like to work when in dull British skies so wouldn't read the round passing through it!

Anyway results.... I've been convinced an 1885 Low Wall in 357 magnum is the way to go. From the "crack" when the rounds found their target I'm happy the loads are staying out of the transonic region at 100m, I did get one reading off the lower charge of 1625fps, must of been a bright patch!

I tried two loads, 16.3grn and 17grn (Lyman Max), the 17grn seemed to give the better group. The latter holding the 9 ring on a PL7 target. The groups on the former were slightly larger.

Obviously the cost of this ammunition will be more to produce, my local RFD does FMJ 158grn bullets for £10/100 and I'll only get around 411 rounds out of a tub of H110.
Excluding cases (which I have plenty of) a load for this new gun will cost me around £0.23 a shot. My current .357 target load at 50m costs me £0.14 a shot and I get 1500 rounds out of a tub of N320. I will however save on the time, expense and hassle on having to acquire kit for yet another calibre which will make it all worth it.

I hope this little project has been of interest to someone, now to save for my new gun. I hope to order/acquire it in the next 12 months or so... will update this thread when I finally get it and find out what it can do at 100m.

Ta

Andy