Shiloh Rifle Forums

Has anyone tried really light loads and bullets for chickens? I have a 380 grain 40 cal bullet and was wondering if anyone had tried a light bullet like this with a light 3FFF load. Figured the 3 fff would help with velocity over 2 or 1.5 F Swiss. Anyway, this bullet with about 35-40 grains. Know there will probably be a good jump to the lands, unless I use multiple wads of thick felt wads, but.....just a thought. Guess I am getting tired of sitting at home.

I have with a 45-70, didn't see any need for one with a 40-65.

I have loaded my 40-70SS with 55 grains of Swiss 1.5 and a 340 grain PP bullet. It shot fine to the 350 yard bucket at the Q.
It did need a few cork wads to take up the space.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

mike what do you use for cork material? thanks art

Dick,

The difference between a full load and a light load in a .40-65 is so minimal that it is not important. I shoot full loads at all ranges.

Woody

PS: a quarter is in my box for this summer.

Dick,

The difference between a full load and a light load in a .40-65 is so minimal that it is not important. I shoot full loads at all ranges.

Woody

PS: a quarter is in my box for this summer.

art,

I get sheet cork gasket material from McMaster-Carr or from the local farm store.
1/8" cork just fits in my press mounted wad cutter.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

Dick
We usually do all right on chickens. We shoot a Lyman 410678 Bullet . It's a Mathews design I think with reduced bands. We seat it deep to take up powder space.
In our 1885 it shoots MOA at 200 meters and is VERY mild. I don't think Jeanne would shoot chickens very well with a full power load.

We shoot Pyrodex and weigh our loads on a scale...so I don't know what to tell you about volume .
I shoot the same style Lyman Bullet in my 45-70 for chickens.

For the chickens I see a lot of mention using a smaller lighter bullet. Why use a shorter bullet that that really does not match the twist that might do all sorts of crazy things if the conditions change even for the 200 yards.
Why not just develop an alloy that works well at all ranges. I been working on a alloy that will throw a lighter bullet from the same mould that is shooting just as good as the heavier bullet. Below I have a bullet I been working with for the .44-77. Both were cast with the same mould but one was cast using 1/16 T/L and the other with the alloy I been working on. The 512gr is the 1/16 T/L alloy and the bottom 482gr with my alloy. There is 30 grains different in weight between the two both shoot very good out of my .44-77 Shiloh Farmer I will use for silhouette along with my .40-65.

Dick to answer your question, no I haven't used reduced loads on the chickens. However it would surely be an advantage to suffer less recoil. Surely the quicker the bullet leaves the barrel and with less disturbance, the better right? It's on my radar...

Some great insight here, thanks for the replies. The bullet is not shorter, just lighter so barrel twist should not be an issue. It is a Steve Garby design made by Steve Brooks. I shot full house loads for it at Raton last year and did ok, for me anyway. I have gone back to my Mike Lewis 425 bullet for now. Just toying with lighting up the load for chickens since I have the mould and see what happens. Got some ladder loads loaded and will get to the range when it warms a bit and the Wyoming winds are right, need at least a 15-20 mph wind to really test the load. If not, I may see what happens at Cody's match this weekend.
Woody, you may need a lot more than one quarter this year. Ha, ha. If not, I have a stack of California quarters for ya. You planning on lever gun also?
Dick

Thanks again for the replies.

Yep. Coming for the duration.

Woody

I tried the light loads and found it to be more time at the casting pot and reloading bench then was actually worth it. I just load all the same now and use the sub-par bullets for chickens as im more likely to miss them all anyway.