Black finish and a 20-inch barrel give this Taylor's 1873 a darker, more modern face than the usual blued and walnut Western rifles. Underneath, it is still the familiar Winchester pattern, chambered in .45 Long Colt with ten rounds in the tube.

Ten rounds make it a popular choice for cowboy action matches where long stages call for a full magazine. The .45 Colt cartridge fires the same ammunition as many single-action revolvers, so a shooter can carry one kind of load for rifle and sidearm. That keeps the ammunition box simple and cuts costs.

On the farm, the rifle works as a handy truck or barn gun, and its lever action stays quick in the hands. A darker finish tends to hide scuffs better than bright bluing, which helps if you ride hard.

Wipe the barrel after use, oil the action, and keep it dry in storage. Always check local rules before taking a .45 Colt rifle hunting. It ships to your FFL dealer, and the background check takes place there before pickup.