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I recently placed an order for a Shiloh 1874 back in January and I’ve been tossing up the idea of what caliber I want. Does anyone have any suggestion on the above calibers? My plan is strictly punching holes in paper and bpcr shoots, possibly Buffalo matches. I already have a 45-70 so if needed on windy days I can use that or if I want to reach out further. The main goal for this rifle is to have a easier shooting rifle than the 45-70 that still has enough punch for sillywets.
Then .40-65. A 440 grain will knock over a ram.
I second the 40-65. It is easy on the shoulder for a full day of shooting
Gmsharps
I third the .40-65 Win. My only mold is the SAECO 420 gr. It's the only one I need.
Dang y’all are actually saying what I was hoping y’all would recommend. I think I’ll go ahead and change my order from a 32” 38-55 standard barrel to a 40-65 heavy half!
A 30 or32 inch standard weight barrel in 40-65 would work just fine
Boy! That 40-70 SS just doesn't get much love!
But then it is 40-60 Maynard for me!
I don't have a .38/55 but I have two .40-65's and a .40-70.
I like both .40's and the accuracy is the same but I give the .40-70 the edge hitting the 1K irons or paper.
Getting quality brass can get to be a problem for the .40-70.
Like you say have the .45-70 for the conditions.
I like the 40-70 but I’m glad I got mine while Jamison was still making cases ��Quote:
Originally Posted by Chill Wills
My 40-70 SS both use the Win. 405 case (Hornady) and Shiloh Rifles chambered for the Hornady case are working out well for their owners. Now, even the Hornady cases are tough to come by.
Case availability makes the 40-65 Winchester a best bet.
I have all 3 calibers. All 3 will put down Rams and 600 mid range matches. Past 600, the 45-70 will produce better accuracy primarily due to the bullet weight and larger powder charge
Good morning
We have a #5 Ballard in 40-63 (40-70 with a lighter cast) which was a real brass issue 5 years ago. A 40-65 would have been far easier to get going with.
Also a 40-65 chamber can easily be lengthened to accept any cast weight you desire.
For me, I've used 45/90, 45/70, 40/65 and my favourite 38/55, a Pedersoli 'Target' model with a 1:12" twist allowing very heavy 375gn boolits in Starline 'long' cases to knock over silly-wets with any reasonable hit. My custom mold came from Paul Jones.
https://i.imgur.com/Z2bCbxZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FdFRkAHl.jpg
BAW - That fast twist 38 Pedersoli is the DanT, Dick Trink rifle I would think. I remember them working the details of that rifle out. I've always wished I had got one when they were to be had easily. Good for you that you have one.
the 40/65 is by far the easiest to get shooting well. Brass and dies are available and lots of bullet molds for you to choose from. Heavy 30" barrels may not make weight for silhouette. Mine is a standard weight 30" and weighs just under 11 lbs which is fine for me. I've seen rams rung with just about any caliber. I saw one hit on Sat with a 40/70, good solid hit and just stood there. It happens.
If you would like a really light caliber that is still suitable for silhouette and mid-range look at the 40/50 Sharps Straight. My son shot one for about 5 years and he only ran one ram in that time. 45 grains of Black and a 400 grain bullet is a mild load but will still get it done. Good for deer hunting too.
I have a friend I shoot with that has a C-Sharps 85 in the .38-55 caliber and he asked me if I was interested in it because it's just collecting dust.
I told him that I think it's a little light for taking down the rams with reliability and he said that it's more in the bullets hardness than the caliber. Using a very hard bullet like #2 Lyman over a say 1/30 tin/lead alloyed bullet the softer bullet will not turn to dust when it hits iron like the #2 will and the inertia of the soft bullet will be more reliable.
I really cant say if that is the answer or not. I never have left a ram stand that I hit using the .40-65 even cutting a halve bullet on his nose.
I think the little .38 would be a fun caliber and they have the rep for accuracy.
My friends .38 has a 1/14 ROT so it would take the shorter bullets but it's still tugging on me to take it home.
My preference would be the 40-70 SS BUT, I bought mine in the late 90's when nothing was hard to come by. Today, I would honestly recommend the 40-65. I've never worked with the 40-65 but have never heard a bad word uttered about it. My 40-70 is scary accurate and I would expect the same for the 40-65. I shot a 45-70 for over 20 years and have nothing but love and respect for the cartridge.....but, I have come to love and respect my 40-70 even more. Today my 45 is a 45-90 and for hunting....well, ballistics are ballistics and there's dozens just as good but I REALLY like my 45-90 and the 480 gr., NEI cast bullet over 80-ish grs. of 1 1/2F or 2F. They're all a lot of fun.
38 - 55
No particular reason ... I just like the way it looks and I like the fact there is plenty of loading data available ( all my manuals have 38-55) brass and even loaded ammo is still produced by the factory .
Targets , tin cans and water filled jugs aren't hard to kill so I don't need 400 - 500 grain boolits ...saves on lead and powder !
Just my thoughts and what would be my pick ,
Gary
I love my 40-65, and it has performed for me well. Easy accuracy out to 1000yds.
A 12 twist 38-55 would be a fun gun for midrange.
But, Then there is the 38-50 Rem Hep.... working with this now. 10 twist
Also easy accuracy and 360gr bullet over 67 gr Swiss 1.5 at 1370 fps
Or a 380 gr bullet..
Brass -easy from 30-40Krag .
beltfed/arnie
It's best to have at least one of each :-).
I have no experience with .38-55 for silhouettes, but everyone I know that went that way, eventually moved to a .40-65 and were glad they did. I have .45-70's and a .40-65 for silhouette. The .40-65 is what I prefer.
I do like the .38-55's though, don't get me wrong, but I use mine for 200-300.
With the Shiloh you'll be very happy with the Saeco #740 bullet in 20:1. The BACO 409400M4 is also an excellent bet. They both work well for silhouette or midrange in Shiloh rifles with the 1:16 or 1:14 twist as I have both :-). I bought the 1:14 twist one for midrange and it shoots those bullets with the same accuracy as my 1:16 twist silhouette rifle.
I hope that's useful.
Chris.
My sentiments exactely! The bottom rifle is a 40/65 with 6X Malcolm scope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunlaker
https://i.imgur.com/OwOZYlz.jpg
I have shot all three in BPCR silhouettes all perormed well.
45-70 , Heaviest recoil wide selection of moulds, eats thru powder and lead fastest, Bullets range in wieght from 350-550 grains in weight. For lighter recoil keep rifle weight up close to allowed weight.
40-65 , Recoil is easier good selection of moulds for use, a little easier on lead but about the same on powder. bullets range in 375-450 grain weight. Again rifle weight makes a big reduction in recoil
38-55 , Lightest recoil, suitable are there. I run 330 - 365 grn bullets in mine but you also want to go to a 1-12 to 114 twist barrel for these. Components last longest here. even in a lighter rifle recoil is nice.
The bigger thing is not what you shoot but getting the zeros, learning the game and building your skill. Pick a rifle work up a solid load and get started. For sight radius I prefer 30-32" barrels a 34" can be hard to get to make weight
I've shot the .38-55 and .40-70ss, and owned a few .40-65s, but I found that the .45-70 is best, even with "reduced" loads which are easy to make with wad stacks and lightweight projectiles that are accurate enuf to win 200 yard matches.
Attachment 281290
IMHO 38-55 can be more accurate out to about 300 yards but the 40 has more knock down for steel. It is sure disappointing to hear a clang and see nothing fall.
KCSO,
It's more disappointing when your only a two chicken shooter and hit one with the .45-90 and have it spinning like a top and not fall over. LOL.
Thanks everyone for the feedback! After reading everything I think I’m going to go with the 40-65. seems to have a pretty good backing and is different enough from the 45-70 recoil wise that there will be a felt difference and a reason for me to grab one over the other.
I have always had. A thing for the 38-55 so I’ll eventually get one. Maybe my next one will be a CPA Steven’s in 38-55 and with a 22 lr barrel....?
A CPA in .38-55 would be a good choice. I have two of their rifles and they shoot very well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Exal
Chris.
Have you ever had a barrel getting loose on you with the cpa Steven’s? That’s probably the only issue I’ve heard about them so far.
If you wrap the barrel threads with teflon tape, and when the barrel is turned into position use a torgue wrench and set the screw that holds the barrel at 45 inch pounds it will help hold the barrel in place.
Causes a boat load of vertical when that barrel set screw loosens up.. Been there done that.
Yup. Mine have come loose a couple of times in the middle of shooting a relay. I increased the torque on the barrel screw a little and it hasn't happened again. I have had a few screws come loose, including a rifle that seemed to be shipped with a few of loose screws. Once I went over everything they've been no more trouble.Quote:
Originally Posted by Exal
Chris.
My next 40-65 would be a 14 twist for more versatility and accuracy
capable heavier bullets.
beltfed/arnie
I don't shoot steel, it's mighty hard to cook. Pun intended.
I do shoot the .45-70 and .38-55. The .45-70 runs about 1.5 MOA at 100 with an elbow rest and 530 grain lead.
The .38-55 shoots a 350 grain bullet from a Mos mould. I suspect it would work on steel, but don't know.
100 yards, offhand:
https://i.imgur.com/8TpPpqx.jpg
If I might add: perhaps a 40/82? I am a big fan of 38/55 shooting a Lyman 340gr postell, and 45/70s with 405gr slugs. I recently came into possession of a Browning BPCR that had originally been a 40/65 with a heavy, half octagon/round barrel. The previous owner wanted more oomph for out to 1000K and had it rechambered in t40/82. It came with no sights but scope bases and rings. I added a old Burris 4x12x40 that I had had over 30 years. Brass easily made by running 45/90 brass thru the sizing die. The gun is very heavy, and I have shot a whole parade of loads, and it shoots them all exceedingly well. I have been shooting 325 gr slugs, but have poured some 400gr postells that I will be using soon. No recoil period. Just thought I would add this option.