40-50BN and 40-70SS
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:22 am
Hello,
I have combed through what I believe to be just about every post or article on these cartridges on this and other forums. Most of them are somewhat old, so I wanted to make a post and get some more recent and updated information. I have a rifle on order with Shiloh and am still throwing around what to have it chambered in. I want to eventually get into silhouette and some midrange matches, but most likely just plinking and having fun for the time being. I would really p, really prefer to paper patch. Those 6-day work weeks really cut into my fun time.....
Specifically I want to know about:
40-50BN
- I know several are using this cartridge with a PPB, and want to know if any of you have tried this at silhouettes and if you have found it to be adequate to knock down the rams?
- With a PPB seated minimally into the case, say 1/8” or so, is there enough case capacity to move heavier bullets in the 400-420gr range to adequate velocities?
- I know the twist rate is an important consideration as well, to stabilize this weigh bullet in 40cal. Has anyone tried a 14 or 14.5 twist in this chambering, or is that just trying to get this little cartridge to do something it was never meant to do? I have read that with a PPB this case can hold the same amount of powder as a GG 40-65, and have seen many recommend a 14 or 14.5 twist in the 40-65...I guess you can see where my thought process is going.
40-70SS
- There has been a lot of negative and positive things written about this one in the past. I am interested in getting specific feed back on folks experience paper patching for this cartridge and how difficult and/or straight forward it was for them. I know every rifle will be different, it just seems like most of what I could find was in reference to GG loading.
- I am also interested in hearing from folks who have this chambering with a 14 or 14.5 twist and their experiences with that and something along the lines of a BACO Elliptical 420gr PPB
Obviously the answer to all of this is to get a 40-65 or a 45-70. I am a history nerd, and for those of us who are, know how hard it is to think about having a Sharps chambered in a non-original chambering. I think sometimes the answer is keeping historical and “modern target” guns separate. I’ll eventually get my Hartford in 44-77 or 50-70 for my “historical fix”. The gentleman who has really helped me get into BPCR has two 40-65s, so that is what I have shot up to this point. I love the low recoil and that is why I am a little hesitant to go with the 45-70. Honestly, I am really liking the idea of the 40-50BN for its recoil, or lack there of, its ease of loading and finding accurate loads, and it’s historical nature. In a 12lb silhouette rifle, it seems like it would essentially be a 40cal 22LR. I am just worried it won’t have the oomph needed to take down rams on the occasion that I can make it to a silhouette match.
Anyways....thank you guys in advance for any updated information on these two chambering or advice.
BML
I have combed through what I believe to be just about every post or article on these cartridges on this and other forums. Most of them are somewhat old, so I wanted to make a post and get some more recent and updated information. I have a rifle on order with Shiloh and am still throwing around what to have it chambered in. I want to eventually get into silhouette and some midrange matches, but most likely just plinking and having fun for the time being. I would really p, really prefer to paper patch. Those 6-day work weeks really cut into my fun time.....
Specifically I want to know about:
40-50BN
- I know several are using this cartridge with a PPB, and want to know if any of you have tried this at silhouettes and if you have found it to be adequate to knock down the rams?
- With a PPB seated minimally into the case, say 1/8” or so, is there enough case capacity to move heavier bullets in the 400-420gr range to adequate velocities?
- I know the twist rate is an important consideration as well, to stabilize this weigh bullet in 40cal. Has anyone tried a 14 or 14.5 twist in this chambering, or is that just trying to get this little cartridge to do something it was never meant to do? I have read that with a PPB this case can hold the same amount of powder as a GG 40-65, and have seen many recommend a 14 or 14.5 twist in the 40-65...I guess you can see where my thought process is going.
40-70SS
- There has been a lot of negative and positive things written about this one in the past. I am interested in getting specific feed back on folks experience paper patching for this cartridge and how difficult and/or straight forward it was for them. I know every rifle will be different, it just seems like most of what I could find was in reference to GG loading.
- I am also interested in hearing from folks who have this chambering with a 14 or 14.5 twist and their experiences with that and something along the lines of a BACO Elliptical 420gr PPB
Obviously the answer to all of this is to get a 40-65 or a 45-70. I am a history nerd, and for those of us who are, know how hard it is to think about having a Sharps chambered in a non-original chambering. I think sometimes the answer is keeping historical and “modern target” guns separate. I’ll eventually get my Hartford in 44-77 or 50-70 for my “historical fix”. The gentleman who has really helped me get into BPCR has two 40-65s, so that is what I have shot up to this point. I love the low recoil and that is why I am a little hesitant to go with the 45-70. Honestly, I am really liking the idea of the 40-50BN for its recoil, or lack there of, its ease of loading and finding accurate loads, and it’s historical nature. In a 12lb silhouette rifle, it seems like it would essentially be a 40cal 22LR. I am just worried it won’t have the oomph needed to take down rams on the occasion that I can make it to a silhouette match.
Anyways....thank you guys in advance for any updated information on these two chambering or advice.
BML