Rebarrel a Shiloh LRE

[schmidtzen]

I would like to retire my 40-70ss standard octagon 34" long range express. Maybe rebarrel to 40-65. What barrel configurations could I use? I would use this as legal silhouette match rifle. Thanks, Tommy

[Kirk]

Heavy half 30" to stay in the weight limit.

[kenny s]

I love my 40 70 SS, why change caliber? bullets etc. are the same...Ken

[schmidtzen]

your right. Don't know what I was thinking. I still want a 40-65. Currently shooting silhouette matches with shiloh 45-70. #1 sporter. Tired of recoil with 40 and 60 shot matches

[MikeT]

schmidtzen,

Why not consider a 40-50 SBN for silly-wets?
You will have the brass already, as a 45-70 case cut down to 1 11/16" is all it takes.
Now the tricky part; with PP bullets I can load my 40-50 SBN up to 59 grs of 1.5 Swiss, behind a 385 grain bullet which works well to 800 yards; with a GG bullet you will need to neck turn the brass unless the bullet only sits about 1/4" into the case. 49 grains will fill the case up to the start of the neck, so if you are thinking of real light loads you will have to neck turn in order to seat the bullet to near the bottom of the neck.

On another note! I shoot my 40-70SS with a 340 grain PP bullet and 50 grains of 1.5 Swiss for an offhand load. I know my 40-65 can not be loaded down that far.

Just something to consider.
Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

[schmidtzen]

Interesting. I don't know that I want to spend time at bench reloading and reworking brass.

[schmidtzen]

I think I may sell my #1 sporter and replace it with something easier on my old shoulder. Leave my LRE a 40-70ss and use it for target matches

[SFogler]

I shoot with people who use 38-55s for silhouettes, but I don't know what that feels like recoil wise.

[art ruggiero]

38/55 and 40/50 have very similar felt recoil however the 40/50 will handle a heavier bullet so better for sil art

[Geologist]

The 35-40 is very friendly.

[Ray Newman]

Geologist: Is the 35-40 Maynard silhouette legal/accepted for NRA sanctioned matches? Original poster wants to shoot in NRA silhouette matches.

If memory serves me correctly, back in the late 1990's it was not accepted/ "legal" for NRA silhouette matches. Was there a change to the acceptability of this cartridge for silhouette?

[Geologist]

Yes it is! The concern years ago was about the 35-55 Maynard. Dan T. proved it was a legimate round, but the NRA... Well you know about the NRA screwing people over.