If you had a lo-wall action what caliber would you use & why ?

[6.5 mike]

Only guide lines are, brass easy to make or get, 30 caliber or thereabouts, easy on powder.

[ulav8r]

32-20, because it is the first centerfire cartridge I hunted with. A 30/38 Spec or 30/357 Mag wildcat would be easier/cheaper to reload.

[gnoahhh]

.32 Long or .32-20, but only because you specified .30 caliber. What will be the end use for the gun? For my money, low walls cry out to be .22LR's or .22 Hornets, but that's just me.

[M-Tecs]

.300 AAC BLK/.357 Wildcat
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/05/09/interesting-300-aac-blk-357-wildcat/


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?156786-30-357-or-300-rimmed-BLK

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=570

[NSB]

I've got one and it's a 357max. It took a while to find the parent (357mag) but the end result is superb. Good out to 200 yards, brass easy to get, and most loads shoot very, very good out of the gun. Lots of bullets to choose from also. love it.
185613

[6.5 mike]

Main use punching paper, may be small game. The 357 max is interesting or may be 360 Wesson. A few years ago 2 of the members here came up with a 30 badgered, basically a 38 sized down to 30 cal using 30 mauser dies IIRC. Always have been interested in this one.
gnohhh, along with your post how bout a 25 hornet. Just something floating round in my head as I do see some of the recent build lo-walls from time to time.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have one made 1896 that I bought as a 'factory' rifle in 32/40. The barrel had all the usual Winchester stamps but I understand it was not a standard chambering. Then I found another rifle in 38/55, again appeared to be original.
As my rifle barrel had been introduced to growing tomatoes, I had a tapered Green Mountain barrel fitted and chambered in 32/40. Just have to get time to make the new stock>

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Lowwalltang_b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/Lowwalltang_b.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/LW3240_B.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/LW3240_B.jpg.html)

[bob208]

I have a whole rifle. a shot out .32 rim fire. it is a number2 heavy barrel. I think I am going to sleeve it to .25-20. cheap to shoot I have lots of brass. it will punch paper take care of varmints up to coyotes. also do good on turkeys. .32-20 would do all the same.

[dverna]

Another nod to the .357 but likely not the Max. I would likely only shoot .38 Spl in it for plinking and varmints out to 125 yds.

Don Verna.

[Blackwater]

For punching paper, I'd go with the .32/40, which you can make from common .30/30 brass. If deer are in the picture, I'd prefer a .38/55. The Low Wall's main trait is it won't take the pressure the High Wall will, and .357 Max. seems mighty high pressure if it's an old original action. If it's a newer action, with stronger metal, it might work, but I'd be afraid of it myself. Low Walls are great actions, and one of the most graceful and beautiful ever made, IMO, and to my eyes. Harry Pope made some of his legendary Schuetzen rifles on Low Walls, and Harry knew a thing or two about guns, barrels, actions and accurate calibers. I've been given to understand he liked the .32/40 for 100 yd. shooting, and the .38/55 for 200, but wasn't averse to using either caliber at either range.

A classic action like that seems to cry out for a classic caliber, like the two mentioned. And really, anyone who can't kill a deer with a .32/40 and black powder level loads really isn't much of a hunter, really, so .... ya' pays yer money and takes yer choice. All I'd say is stay away from calibers that generally run at higher pressures. A plain old .30/30 would be wickedly appropriate as well, and would simplify your loading. Tons of tested data out there for that one. I should add that I've long been a fan of those beautiful old Schuetzen rifles, so I guess I'm prejudiced in that direction, so take that into consideration, too. But if you recreated an old .32/40 or whatever, it'd sure be something beautiful, functional and accurate (both had excellent reputations in the accuracy dept.), and it'd really draw a crowd at the range. Just don't let 'em drool on it!

[sharps4590]

32-20 or 8.15 X 46R or 32-40. None of them would be wrong.

[NSB]

For punching paper, I'd go with the .32/40, which you can make from common .30/30 brass. If deer are in the picture, I'd prefer a .38/55. The Low Wall's main trait is it won't take the pressure the High Wall will, and .357 Max. seems mighty high pressure if it's an old original action. If it's a newer action, with stronger metal, it might work, but I'd be afraid of it myself. Low Walls are great actions, and one of the most graceful and beautiful ever made, IMO, and to my eyes. Harry Pope made some of his legendary Schuetzen rifles on Low Walls, and Harry knew a thing or two about guns, barrels, actions and accurate calibers. I've been given to understand he liked the .32/40 for 100 yd. shooting, and the .38/55 for 200, but wasn't averse to using either caliber at either range.
The Browning/Miroku Low Walls were produced in both .243 and .223 calibers. The TC Contender and the Ruger Blackhawks were produced in .357mag. I wouldn't be too concerned about pressure in a modern Low Wall. These actions are more than strong enough for the 357max.

[GARD72977]

38 SPL or 32 SW long. Because it would be so much fun to shoot. (And because I shoot a lot and I'm cheap!)

[Don McDowell]

25-20 single shot or a 32-40.

[Kraschenbirn]

Probably .357 Mag because I already have a .32-20 LowWall...but a .30 Herret might be interesting, too.

Bill

[Ballard]

Is this an original 1885 action, or a new one? Makes a helluva difference..

[Blackwater]

The Browning/Miroku Low Walls were produced in both .243 and .223 calibers. The TC Contender and the Ruger Blackhawks were produced in .357mag. I wouldn't be too concerned about pressure in a modern Low Wall. These actions are more than strong enough for the 357max.

You're right, of course, but the action he has looked awfully like an old original low wall, and though it's a judgment call, I would never do a .357 max. on an old one. A newer one, certainly, but not an old orig. Win. action. And what could one do with a maxi that couldn't be done with a .32/40 or .38/55? The sights would have to be raised higher, but they'd git-r-done, I believe, if the shooter is up to it. I'd just hate to see one of those great old actions strained or blown, so my tendency is to err on the side of known safety. I've just got a soft spot in my heart for those guns, and feel a bit of protectionism for them, I guess?

[rking22]

32SWL would be SO much fun :)

[.45Cole]

I have a Browning Hunter Low wall in .45 colt and I really like it. Really lobs them out there, but if I wasn't looking to hunt with it I'd go 32-20. Natural cast boolit round, but Browning doesn't make 32's.

[sav300]

30-20.32-20 necked down to take 30 cal projectiles.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

A specially chambered inside lubed .32 rimfire with a breechblock made by myself, because I have a large supply of primed but never loaded Fiocchi 9mm. shotshell cases which were sent to auction many years ago by the Birmingham proof house. They give light bullet pull with .308 bullets, but should be fine with .312. Then when the cases run out, rechamber to .32-20.

For a modern or high-wall action, a recreation of a vanished and undocumented cartridge of which I have seen only a chamber cast. It can be made by grinding away the bottom of a .300H&H die until a .45-70 case fits perfectly, and whatever and wherever it originated, it looks very much in period for a Winchester Single Shot.

[6.5 mike]

This would be in a modern action. Browning does make the lo-wall in .357 & 45 colt so pressure should not be a problem with any of the smaller calibers already listed. Have 2 32-40's, a 38-55, 2 Hornets, 3 30-30's, so was looking for something different.
Don's right, 25-20 could be a player too.

[OlDeuce]

My choice in the lo-wall ......22Hornet or 32-40 I'm shopping !!!! Ol Deuce

[Texas by God]

25-35 wcf.

[flint45]

If I had a lo-wall it would be in .357 max pistol grip stock 24 inch barrel don't know what sights yet.

[samari46]

Two choices with out any extractor mods would be either 25-20 or 32-20 as I have a 32-20 extractor in my low wall. I've had this one over 35 years and before they shovel the dirt over me I'd like to get this puppy shooting. Frank

[Ithaca Gunner]

.22 Hornet.

[6.5 mike]

Wondered if anyone would say 25-35, that one has always interested me also. Have a NOE 25 cal that drops a 85 pb, 100 gc, & 120 gc. Use it for a 250 sav, 257 bob, & pp up for 6.5 swede's.

[Reverend Al]

I'd have to agree that another .32-20 would be my first choice too ...

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Wondered if anyone would say 25-35, that one has always interested me also. Have a NOE 25 cal that drops a 85 pb, 100 gc, & 120 gc. Use it for a 250 sav, 257 bob, & pp up for 6.5 swede's.

The .25-35 is almost excessively interesting, in an original low-wall action. I do not like the idea of that much pressure. With some cartridges you can say you will keep it to black powder pressures, like it use to be. But the .25-35 was always the smokeless cartridge we know today.

[GARD72977]

The only thing I don't like about the 32-20 is you can buy a uberti. If I was rebarrelling a gun I would do it in a caliber that's not available.

Having said that I would like to buy a 32-20 uberti!

[6.5 mike]

This whole idea is based on using a newer Browning action. I would love to have an original, but would NOT hot rod it, figure 32-20 would be enough. I did pass on one just before we moved, 22 short with papers from Cody dating it to 1907. And if I really choose to do this, I can always call C Sharps, have them make a little brother to my hi-wall 32-40. This is just another one of my crazier ideas.

[rockrat]

Take 357 max brass and run it into a 300 blackout die. A longer 300 blackout rimmed. Or just trim the brass back to 300 blackout length and have a 300 blackout rimmed. Reamer and dies easy to come by.

[Ballard]

I have a helluva nice 44 1/2 Stevens in .25-35. I'd take your low wall action as partial payment on it. Then you'd be safe. With ANYTHING with .30-30 size head in an original low wall, you need to keep the pressure VERY low.

[6.5 mike]

rockrat, I like that idea. One of the factory chambering's is .357.

[NoAngel]

.30 Badger
Easy to make, excellent potential.

[50target]

The only thing I don't like about the 32-20 is you can buy a uberti. If I was rebarrelling a gun I would do it in a caliber that's not available.

Having said that I would like to buy a 32-20 uberti!

I have a Taylor & Company LW in 32-20 & like it a lot. Can get a 115 gr up to 1600 fps no problem & accurate. I got the Cimmaron LW in 32-20 single trigger. It is with Taylor Machine right now being rebarreled to 25-20 WCF. No work on extractor. It will have 26" barrel, same contour as original. Can't wait to test drive it. Brass is a booger to get but I'm blessed with plenty right now.
Enjoy


Bob

[Bigslug]

Waiting on a .357 Mag from Uberti, so I guess there's my answer. Cheap, common, easy to come by & load for. Has serious punch & decent reach for a small round, downloadable to mouse-fart levels, does not have delusions of rifle-ness.

[Good Cheer]

For a companion piece to a nice revolver, the late 1800's 8mm French military round made with necked up 32-20's and LBT WFN's. It's a nice small game slayer and would be good in a rifle as well.

[boommer]

32- 20

[JHeath]

You can't go wrong with .277 Bird Poop:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?246638-Looking-for-opinions-(brace-for-impact)-270-REN-in-an-1885-Low-Wall

[texasnative46]

6.5 mike,

NO question: .22 Hornet or (more likely as I can "pick-up" .30-30 brass free at the range) .32-40WCF.
(Also the old .32-40 has bagged MANY deer for over a century, with plain lead boolits.)

yours, tex

[Pavogrande]

I have this much abused action in 22rf -- If i live long enough may get a barrel and wood.186311186312 -

[OlDeuce]

My first choice is a .22Hornet :-) my second choice tehehe .22Hornet way cheap to shoot:Fire::bigsmyl2::guntootsmiley:

Ol Deuce8-)

[texasnative46]

OlDuece,

I'm not at all sure that .22 Hornet is as CHEAP to load as .32-40WCF is, IF you use .30-30 brass to make it.
(I can get LOTS of .30-30 brass for FREE, that are "range pick ups".)

One could also rechamber/build the low-wall to just "Plain Jane" .30-30, too

yours, tex

[GARD72977]

Take 357 max brass and run it into a 300 blackout die. A longer 300 blackout rimmed. Or just trim the brass back to 300 blackout length and have a 300 blackout rimmed. Reamer and dies easy to come by.
I have a contender barrel chambered in 300/221 rimmed. I have 2 extractors. One for rimleses and one rimmed. No special reamer needed. 186360Just have it chamberd for a regular 300 blackout and the have them cut clerance for the rim in the lathe.

[kodiak1]

In a rifle Caliber I would really look at the 25-35 with a quicker twist.
Pistol Caliber 44-40 would be vey sweet to me.
There are lots more I would think over but I am those two are the ones that would be on the top of my list.