Shiloh Rifle Forums

So, is the .40-70SS = .405 Win = .40-72? Are they interchangeable? Same? Different? I think they are probably different (in some way), otherwise they would not have different names. I'm so confused............... Thanks.

The 40/70 SS is an original Sharps black powder cartridge .40 caliber x 2 1/2" long. The 40/72 was an original Winchester black powder round and the case is 2.580" long. The 405 Winchester is a smokeless powder modernization of the 40/72 but they made the rim thicker so it wouldn't chamber in black powder rifles.

The confusion gets complex. 30/40 Krag brass was used to make the 40/70 SS case for years but it was too short so it was stretched out to 2 1/2" long. The stretching was not always consistent causing some shooters problems with neck thickness variation among other problems. When the .405 was reintroduced people started using it shortened to 2 1/2". Most chambers had to be re-cut to use the .405 brass as it is thicker than stretched Krag brass, thus there are standard 40/70 chambers and chambers cut for the .405 brass.

Some folks wanted a little more powder capacity so they used the .405 brass full length. They could not call it a 40/70 SS as it is too long nor a .405 because it was introduced too late for black powder cartridge competition so they call it the 40/72 Winchester to make it legal.

They are not all the same and are not interchangeable. I hope this helps explain things.

If you're thinking about a 40-70 simplify things a touch and have the chamber reamed for the thicker rim and order a couple hundred brass from Jamison.

Does anyone make the brass for the 40/70SS that requires the 30/40 Krag

Buffalo Arms makes it. Have been shooting it for years now in my 40 2 1/2 without any problems.

You can buy it here:

http://www.shilohrifle.com/shop/home.php?cat=13

A while back, I thought I read something, where there were some folks doing a 'group buy' on .40-70SS brass. I thought it was Norma (or some other manufacturer), but I also remember that there was a minimum number of cases that had to be produced.

Has Starline ever had a run of .40-70SS cases? Thanks.

Captech has it on hand right now correctly head stamped. Made for Shiloh's chamber specs. bobw

Is anyone firing the .40-70SS out of a long, 32-34 inch barrel? Fouling problems?

Bucksnort, I have a Shiloh No. 3 with a heavy 34" barrel and do not have any fouling problems, but I live in the UK so we do not have your heat in the spring and summer. My home made lube is similar to SPG. I use 58 gns Swiss 1 1/2 and wipe with one water damp patch. I shoot around 1 1/2" groups at 100 but last week, 5 shots made one hole about 1/2". I wish I could do that every week!
Hope this helps.
Chris

My thoughts are going toward a 1000-yard 'gong' gun. It would be a .40-70ss, LRE, round barrel (34-inch, polished), and ebony schable. Any thought would be appreciated. Thanks.

I shoot a #1 sporter with a 34" barrel. It's a fine shooter and no fouling problems but it I was to get another .40-70 it would have a 32" round barrel.
Have the rim recess cut for the Jamison brass. http://www.captechintl.com/proddetail.p ... 70SS100pcs

Captech has it on hand right now correctly head stamped

Jamison 40-70 Sharps Straight is "Backordered" per the website

Jon Boy

I thought the same thing when I searched for Jamison 40-70SS brass back in December. The old “Jamison” web page (http://www.custombrassandbullets.com/bcs172.html ) lists the 40-70 SS brass as “Backordered.”

However, if you go to the Captech International webpage (http://www.captechintl.com/proddetail.p ... 70SS100pcs) that Kurt listed in his above post you will see that the Jamison 40-70SS brass is available. The Jamison logo in the top left corner of the Captech web page.

Although I haven’t shot the Jamison brass yet, it does fit in the Shiloh chamber fine.

Good Shooting,
Ross

That captec/jamison 40-70 brass is some good stuff.