New Single Shot Rifle

[Johnw...ski]

I guess you never loose the bug for a new rifle. I am thinking of buying a receiver that is a take off of a Winchester high wall.
Not sure what to chamber it for though, 35 or 45 cal would keep the reloading simple since I already have these calabers. 6mm BR or 308 x 1-1/2 is also intrigueing if I decide to go with something more modern.
38-55 is rather interesting, but means another bullet dia.
What do you guys think?

John

[45 2.1]

35-3030

[felix]

Agree. Just not enough of that "caliber" around here, if any. ... felix

[jhrosier]

I....What do you guys think?
John

John,
I would go with the 30-40 Krag for all around shooting with cast boolits.

Jack

[Jon K]

38-55, That's my vote.

Just sold a 38-55, and my next High Wall will be 38-55, 40-65 or 40-70SS.

Jon

[rockrat]

Why not the 35 Winchester or 356 Winchester, if you want to stay with a 35 cal. If you go with the 35 Win, plan on using 405 win brass, easier to get and cheaper.

[Kraschenbirn]

Love my .38-55 Highwall and don't believe anyone could be disappointed with one like it. On the other hand, my next single-shot will (probably) be another Highwall or a RB in .30-40.

Bill

[Razor]

38/55

[Johnw...ski]

The 35 30-30 is a new one on me but sounds really interesting.
I know I started by asking for cartridges that would consoladite my reloading capabalities. Well, even though this action is a somewhat modified version of an old classic, the hi-wall I decided to go with an old classic the 38-55.

I know some will applaud my selection and others are going to say that the
38-55 is antiquated, not a good hunting cartridge, and has limited range, all true but it was a fine target round in it's day and today all I plan to shoot is paper at 200 and ocasionally 300 yds. and it does have a reputation for accuracy.

Now for sights, a traditional tang sight (sure would look nice), a scope (my inclination), or both?

Going to have to keep that 35 30-30 on the back burner, excellent sugestion.

John

[Boz330]

One of the 19th century replicas would look nice. Just got an MVA myself but there are some cheaper models, namely Leatherwood. Of course it is all in the eyes of the beholder.

Bob

[Johnw...ski]

I am thinking of something along these lines for a scope.

[Boz330]

The objective is a little big for a period correct scope, BUT it is your rifle and that is close. ENJOY!

Bob

[Johnw...ski]

The objective is a little big for a period correct scope, BUT it is your rifle and that is close. ENJOY!

Bob

Hi Bob,

It doesn't have to be period correct, but that apperance would be nice, after all this is only a modern version of of a hi-wall action.
To be really useful to me I would like to stay above 15x.

Thanks for the response, I was just running it by to see what others think, and who knows, the tang sight is still a possibality.

John

[JRD]

John,
.38-55 is a fine caliber and most appropriate for your High Wall action. There are plenty of .375-.379 bullets and moulds out there. There are also commercial cast bullets if you don't want to start casting a new caliber.

Looking at the scope you want to put on it makes me think .219 Donaldson Wasp would be a good caliber and you would built yourself a 1940's looking custom varmint rig. It sort of sounds like you are trying to recreate the rifle that the old timer you mentioned had. Will you only be getting one .38-55 case to reload at the range?

Jason

[Boz330]

Hi Bob,

It doesn't have to be period correct, but that apperance would be nice, after all this is only a modern version of of a hi-wall action.
To be really useful to me I would like to stay above 15x.

Thanks for the response, I was just running it by to see what others think, and who knows, the tang sight is still a possibality.

John

John,
I hope you didn't take offense, none was intended. I tend to lean to the traditional side of the old guns.
I have a 38-55 in a 75 Sharps and it is fun to shoot. I have shot it out to 600yds and it does just fine. I have also taken 2 deer with it and they didn't seem to know the difference. I have shot it with smokeless but mostly with BP. That is my passion right now.

Bob

[Johnw...ski]

John,
I hope you didn't take offense, none was intended. I tend to lean to the traditional side of the old guns.
I have a 38-55 in a 75 Sharps and it is fun to shoot. I have shot it out to 600yds and it does just fine. I have also taken 2 deer with it and they didn't seem to know the difference. I have shot it with smokeless but mostly with BP. That is my passion right now.

Bob

Hi Bob,

No offense taken, I would like it to look right but not at the expense of performance. It needs to be able to prove itself on paper or its not much use to me.

John

[Johnw...ski]

John,
.38-55 is a fine caliber and most appropriate for your High Wall action. There are plenty of .375-.379 bullets and moulds out there. There are also commercial cast bullets if you don't want to start casting a new caliber.

Looking at the scope you want to put on it makes me think .219 Donaldson Wasp would be a good caliber and you would built yourself a 1940's looking custom varmint rig. It sort of sounds like you are trying to recreate the rifle that the old timer you mentioned had. Will you only be getting one .38-55 case to reload at the range?

Jason

Hi Jason,

Haven't heard from you in awhile.
Yah, I thought of old George when I started this project, think I'll load em at home though.

John

[olddudeone]

I know it's another caliber but a 307 win necked to 7mm might be different and 7mm is a fun cal to cast for be like a rimmed 7mm 08 in a highwall and of you might try the 219 zipper or donnaldson wasp both great. olddudeone

[Johnw...ski]

I know it's another caliber but a 307 win necked to 7mm might be different and 7mm is a fun cal to cast for be like a rimmed 7mm 08 in a highwall and of you might try the 219 zipper or donnaldson wasp both great. olddudeone

All great ideas but I bought a barrel so .38 cal it will be.

John

[boommer]

You could chamber it in 38-72 or 38-90 you can get cases from buffalo arms if you want something a little different in 38 cal.

[Boz330]

You could chamber it in 38-72 or 38-90 you can get cases from buffalo arms if you want something a little different in 38 cal.

38-50 Remington-Hepburn holds more powder as well. My shootin and huntin buddy is rebarreling 2 IAB Sharps rifles in that caliber. Supposed to hold about 10 more grains than the 38-55.

Bob

[August]

38-55 good to about 300 yards, then the wind has its way with it.

40-65 good to about 800 on a calm day, 500 on a windy one.

45-70 good to 1000 yards with a bore-rider bullet and 1200 fps (65-68 grains of swiss or goex, respectively)

The wind is really the deciding issue for selecting caliber IMHO. The lighter the bullet the more it will be affected by the wind -- of course, the less lead it takes to make one, too.