Shiloh Rifle Forums

Friends,

I have two Shiloh rifles. Both weigh over 11 pounds. I just had open heart surgery and a pacemaker. So, for this summer, I need a 9 pound rifle. I don't have time to have a custom .40-65 built. There are some factory rifles around that weight, like the Browning 1885. Let me know if you have any ideas for me.

Chuck

85's aren't any lighter.
May want to think about something with a standard weight barrel in one of the 40-50's

My Shiloh's with standard weight barrels weigh from just under 11 lbs to slightly over with sights. It is going to be tough to find anything around 9 lbs. Then you'll want a lighter caliber. My first Sharps was an import in 45/70 that weighed just over 10 lbs and it would beat be up in a 40 shot match.

Bill Goodman has a couple of carbines coming late spring from a order of 10 rffles , maybe something to look at.

Get a 26" standard weight saddle rifle through Bill Goodman.

Luke, gives good advice here shiloh saddle rifle or a #3 26" std octagon in 40 cal weighs in at 9lbs and change. Get it in 40- 65 and 22lr liner from Shiloh. They hold damn steady offhand. I'd be damned tempted to chamber for 40-50 sbn if there is any question in your mind at all of handling any recoil. Maybe ask in a post for all the 40-50 sbn shooters for their recoil opinions. If you drop down smaller the weight comes up. ..bobw

I'd consider one of the 38s. Recoil can be hard on pacemaker wires from what I've seen.

I have an unfired saddle rifle 26" std weight with factory scabbard that I do not want. It does balance very well. Unfortunately it is in 45-90 which would be brutal (why it was never fired, got it as a group buy 30 yrs ago).

Charles

Thanks for all the great input. I did think the Roughrider with a standard 26" barrel might come near the weight I am looking for. I want to shoot the Quigley in June. I'm working out and am allowed to use light weights now. I'm concerned about the off hand part of the match. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive but the pacemaker might not like something like the .45-90 #1 Rifle I had at one point.

Chuck

If you are attempting to hold down felt-recoil you do not want a lighter rifle. I got a heart implant last July and have gone to a 38-55 as a result. My 40-65 was 11# 8oz with an MVA scope. Calculating the recoil of that rifle with a 430gr bullet having a 1280fps MV against my 38-55 with a lighter barrel of the same length with a 360gr bullet and a MV of 1250fps shows a 10% reduction in recoil on a rifle that weighs a full # less at 10# 8oz. I find the 38-55 considerably easier to hold and shoot off-hand (doesn't mean I can shoot it any better). A reduction in the rifle weight down to 9# would get its recoil back above that felt with the 40-65. With its 1# lighter barrel the 38-55 rifle is much easier to handle off-hand. Especially with its lighter chicken load. Off sticks it makes no real difference that I've noticed (yet). You could start with a 38-55 and see if it works for you. If not, can always be rechambered in 38-50, which Ian has good success with at distances out to 1200yd. But, that get's recoil going back up.
Good luck finding the combination that works for you.

There is a used 1885 Browning in 38-55 on Gunbroker with 28 in barrel. The stock could be modified, weights a little under 9 lbs.

PhilRich wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:40 pm There is a used 1885 Browning in 38-55 on Gunbroker with 28 in barrel. The stock could be modified, weights a little under 9 lbs.

Will guess that any stock 1885 Browning in 38-55 will have too slow a twist to shoot bullets needed to get out beyond 400yd with any accuracy. Best check the twist before purchasing.

I hear that the Winchester traditional sporter in .40-65 would meet the weight. I do not know what the rate of twist in the barrel would be with the original barrel?

Chuck

Believe the original 40-65 Browning was a 16" twist, which will shoot a 400-420gr Money bullet well once a load is developed. The light-weight models with crescent butt-plate will beat you badly if that is what you are looking at.

Here is an example of a Lighter 371 grain Elliptical Minigroove bullet performance in the 40-65/16 twist that
has less recoil for you. I would recommend the Browning BPCR rifle at about 11 pounds, rather than a 9 pound rifle that
will have more recoil. I believe the Brg should not be too heavy for a few offhand shots .
beltfed/arnie