Shiloh Rifle Forums

I just had major thoracic surgery and need to rebarrel. Currently I am shooting a 45-70. What 38 caliber would be the best choice for me. I realize I will sacrifice some with a .38.

The caliber would probably depend on your intended use, but for me, you just can't beat the 38-55. Good dual purpose cartridge for hunting and target shooting.

George
Salmon, Idaho

I would strongly suggest a 12 or 10 Twist 38-50 Rem Hep for a Much better choice than the beloved 38-55
It has more case capacity, can be made from 30-40K or even 303Brit brass.
It can shoot up to 360gr or heavier bullets.
So, It can do a good job on Silhouette as well as 600 yds on paper
I think it Even may stretch to long range (?)

So far my 38-50 has been "falling off a log" easy to find very good shooting loads.
beltfed/arnie

Yes, the 38-55 has an advantage in that it is still a factory loaded ctg.
Yes, it can be used for up to deer for hunting.
OTOH, the 38-50, easily formed from available brass,
can do all the 38-55 does AND THEN SOME
I have tried the larger yet 38-72, but I think it is a bit over bore capacity, at least for BP /plainbase bullet shooting.
I believe that the 38-50 may be tne Ideal balanced 38 cal ctg out there.
beltfed/arnie

I'll agree with almost everything arnie said about the .38s. Especially about the '72. But I might not go so fast as 10 twist in a '50. Make it a 12 or maybe even a 14. Just not a 10.

The guy that shoots it best, uses a 12

ChrisF,
I would suggest that you take a look at the 40-50 SBN cartridge. It is one of the easiest cartridges I have had to find an accurate load for, and you can use up your 45-70 brass to make the cases for it. I shoot mine out to 800 yards with no problems using a 385 grain PP bullet, out of a standard 30" x 16 twist barrel. What is not to like?

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

The comment I think is important is that if the shooter is really recoil sensitive, the 38-50 with 360 grain bullets and a full load still has some recoil. The 38-55 with lighter bullets will really suffer on knocking over rams, but it will kick way less, and keep the guy shooting and having fun. The question, I guess, is how competitive does he want to be? If it is all just for fun and lack of recoil is really important, go with the 38-55. If he is trying to find a round that recoils less that the 45-70 and will still let him win the big matches, go with the 38-50. I also wanted to mention that although several have found the 38-50 easy to make accurate, I know multiple people that could never make it consistently shoot well and they gave up. Going with 38-50 can be an adventure for those that are interested in load development, case forming, picking the right chamber and rifling twist, etc. However hard or easy it is, the learning curve will definitely be steeper than it was with the 45-70.
Just some thoughts, Cody

Brent,,
So far my 10 twist 38-50 is shooting Very well with 360 gr, 1.46" DDEPP bullets over 66 gr Swiss 3F or 1.5
I have suggested 345 gr, 1.4" bullets for a 12 twist, and that is looking good for Mark Schuenke's 12 twist rifle
and the 345 shoots well in my 10 twist as well.
beltfed/arnie

i second the 40 cal 40/50 straight and 370 gr. bullet is very accurate and very mild recoil art

If he wants something with really mild recoil the go with the 38-40 Rem-Hepburn. It is a 38-50 shortened to 1.78" case length. Load it with a bullet as big as 340gr and have fun. Any ram hit is a "fun victory" whether it goes down or not. Whatever you pick, go with a 12" twist barrel. Make that a 16" twist with a 40-50 Sharps Straight.

My 35-40 Maynard does quite well and a number of people shoot them. Think a necked down 38-55, either 2.085 (from modern brass) or 2.140 (from old or stretched brass). 340 grain Money for pigs, turkeys, and rams; 250 grain flat nose for chickens using 2.140 inch-long brass.

I will attest to the fact that Geologist's 35-40 does very well. He is consistently near the top of the scoreboard at any match and often wins.

I consider my under 12 pound 38-50 RH/ 360 gr bullets over 66 gr Swiss to be a Pussycat for recoil. And I am in my 80th year and not a big guy.,.
beltfed/arnie

After shooting a .40-50 Bottle Neck I can attest to very minimal recoil. It is also effective on deer

How much powder does the 40-50SBN hold? Is it a 45 necked down to a .40?