Shiloh Rifle Forums

Looking for recommendations with regard to barrel length for a Shiloh #1 sporter in 38-55. Will be using both for target (no competition) and hunting. Here in Maryland the longest range I have access to is 300 yards and they approved straight wall cartridges for deer season. What barrel length would you recommend, I am leaning towards 26” or maybe 28” considering barrel weight with 38-55, Thoughts?

Are you shooting BP or the other stuff?
Iron sights or scoped?
How much weight can you carry all day?
All these issues need to be considered for your rifle.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

Primarily smokeless loads using iron sights. Would like to keep weight under 10lbs, closer to 9 would be best. Not so much from a carry perspective but rather easier to move or shoot without being on a rest of some sort. Thanks

A 26" or 28" standard weight half round barrel with standard wood and the plastic butt plate would probably get you under 10 lbs. A #3 configuration would cut a few more ounces off the weight.

I shoot mostly 28 inch rifles but have a couple 26 in barrels. The best balanced and easiest carrying rifle has a 26 in heavy. It is heavy because its in a big case calibre.
A standard weight 26 in that light calibre would be the cats whiskers for a light hunting , packing rifle and you wont give up anything to your 300 yard targets either.

I have a 28" barrel, straight grip, shotgun butt, Saddle Rifle in 30-40 Krag and it weighs a little over 10 pounds. That's with a half round/octagonal standard weight barrel. If weight is a major consideration I think I would go with a #3, 26 inche half round/octagonal standard weight barrel. I think that would be around 9.25 to 9.5 pounds. I also think the plainer wood grades are a little lighter than the fancy ones. The 38-55 makes a good target and hunting cartridge.

George

Marlin12 - you should join us in the silhouette game as you are close to at least four (4) excellent BPCR ranges at MacDonald, Ridgway & Shippensburg in PA and Ashland in KY. A 28" barrel would serve you better for shooting out to 547yd (500m). I, too, prefer a somewhat lighter rifle when possible.

listen to john bly art

One other point, If you are looking at keeping the weight down don't get a pewter tip. They are period correct and pretty but they are heavy.

What barrel specs would you recommend for a .38-55 to shoot silhouette with? Thanks

A barrel that makes the weight limit. A #1 heavy probably would, a heavy 1/2 should. A 12" twist would allow you to shoot the very heavy bullets in the 360 + range. That twist should also allow you to shoot well with the lighter bullets. I have a 15" twist but not a Shiloh and it does well with bullets up to about 330 I haven't tried any thing heavier. I have let a ran stand on occasion, but have watched others do very well with the 38-55 and heavier bullets.
Sam

Marlin12
YOu might want to consider a 38-50 Rem Hep chambering/ 12 or even 10 twist. ( I am glad I chose the 10 twist that will shoot bullets up to 1.46" long and 360+ grains at up to close to 1400fps. I am shooting 67 grains of Swiss 1.5 under 360 gr DDEPP bullet)

It would be MUCH more versatile in reaching out
if you do any Midrange shooting. About 10% more powder capacity than the 38-50 BMW.
Having worked with the smaller 38-55 as well as the larger 38-72W,
I believe the 38-50 is an Ideal size case capacity for 38 cal BPCR or BPTR and therefore well balanced loading of a range of bullet weights
and Good velocity.
Only thing, the case is slightly tapered. It may or not be a legal "straightwall" ctg for Maryland hunting, though, I would guess that game wardens would not know the difference.
beltfed/arnie

bucksnort wrote: ↑Sun Aug 15, 2021 2:15 am What barrel specs would you recommend for a .38-55 to shoot silhouette with? Thanks.

The young lady who just won the woman's division, her class and was a member of the team that set a new national record at this year's BPCR nationals shoots a 38-55 half-round, 12" twist Shilen that is 30" in length. If memory serves, she is shooting a 345gr Creedmoor or Snover GG bullet of some sort and 49gr of Swiss, though I do not recall which granulation.

Thanks to each of you for your replies, much great advise. New to the Shiloh 1874 world and had no idea the significant difference wood selection, #1 vs #3, butt plate and the pewter tip would have on final weight. I did Google the Shippensburg range that was mentioned and found it was only an hour and half from my house, which provided a new perspective on usage I wasn't planning on. I did think of some of the other cartridges, but will stick with 38-55 for ensuring straight wall compliance here and availability. I'm leaning toward either keeping the pewter tip and go 26" or dropping it and going 28". Does anyone know about how much each inch of 1/2 octagon/round barrel adds at the end of the barrel in 38 caliber?

Thanks again for all your help!

Marlin12 - 2" long piece of 1" round carbon steel weighs about 7.5 oz. Considering that your 2" will have a 0.379" hole in the center, would be around 4oz. Not as much as you would think.
The next match at Shippensburg is this weekend. Practice is Friday afternoon and match starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Saturday practice is 8-8:45 a.m. The August match is always "relaxed" following the Nationals. Drop by and join in the fun or observe & learn.