Cartridge Opinions? 38-55 vs 40-65 vs 40-70

[Exal]

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.

[wills]

Then .40-65. A 440 grain will knock over a ram.

[gmsharps]

I second the 40-65. It is easy on the shoulder for a full day of shooting

Gmsharps

[upnorthwis]

I third the .40-65 Win. My only mold is the SAECO 420 gr. It's the only one I need.

[Exal]

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!

[Don McDowell]

A 30 or32 inch standard weight barrel in 40-65 would work just fine

[Chill Wills]

Boy! That 40-70 SS just doesn't get much love!

But then it is 40-60 Maynard for me!

[Lead pot]

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.

[Don McDowell]

Boy! That 40-70 SS just doesn't get much love!

But then it is 40-60 Maynard for me!

I like the 40-70 but I’m glad I got mine while Jamison was still making cases ��

[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.

[John Boy]

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

[missionary5155]

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.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

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.

[Chill Wills]

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.

[Deadeye Bly]

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.

[Lead pot]

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.

[sharps4590]

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.

[gwpercle]

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

[beltfed]

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

[Gunlaker]

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.