Doc, I have a '73 in .357 and the very similar '66 in .38 Special. Both are Ubertis' the '73 is a recently manufactured version and the '66 is probably 10-15 years old (I bought that one used).
As to "feeding", you need only stick to a bullet shape (I like the truncated cone flat point) and overall length that your rifle likes. It may take a bit of experimentation. I have seen brand new rifles choke on .38 Special roundnose lead factory loads.
I was advised by a cowboy gunsmith who makes a living working on these guns to avoid using grease on any of the internal workings. He recommended using a bit of light oil such as RemOil. The heavier lubes can gum up the action.
My friends who shoot black powder cartridges swear by Ballistol.
These guns are notoriously oversprung. Most cowboy shooters have the internal parts smoothed out and either change out the springs with aftermarket wire springs or have the stock springs thinned.
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