Which single shot?

[andym79]

Hi guys, you might have seen from my other post that I am very keen on getting a Uberti 1885 (in 40-65). I am a big lever gun fan and often compete in matches shooting paper target animals and silhouette. I also sometimes go to single shot matches, these are to be conducted benchrest and prone with a single shot lever action e.g. Ruger 1, 1885, Martini etc. The guys have been letting me use my 1894 in 38-55 as a single shot.

The two matches they do are 1 30 rounds at 300 yards benchrest and 30 rounds at 200 yards prone
the other match is 30 rounds at 200 yards benchrest and 30 rounds at 100 yards off hand.

I want to get an appropriate single shot as I am sure that better benchrest and prone accuracy can be got out of an 1885 than an 1894 and its not strictly a match acceptable gun should I want to go to state titles in the future!

I would consider something like a Ruger 1 in 22-250 or 220 swift,l but I want a rifle that can also be used for Silhouette and maybe black powder. A lot of the accurate HV rounds that might be great benchrest prone cartridges are not any goof for silhouette and certainly not BP.

Of these three cartridges which do you think would best fill the criteria 38-55, 40-65 or 45-70. I am a fairly small guy so I am a bit reluctant to go for a 45-70 (also I might be wrong, but I think they have the least flat trajectory of the three).

Thanks

 

[eastbank]

a good 38-55 with the right twist would be my first choice. or a 45-70. the .40,s are good also but it also needs the right twist for heavier bullets. i run three 38-55,s six 45-70,s and a .40-82. eastbank.

 

[andym79]

To add another dimension, what twist rate is need for each to stabilise the big bullets?

38-55 1:16?
40-65 1:18?
45-70 1:20?

 

[Don McDowell]

The 40-65 is the better compromise of the bunch. With a 16 twist barrel it will stabilize 400 gr bullets just fine, and those will hold up better in the wind than a 38-55. Also if you have the opportunity to shoot a bpcr sillouette match the 38-55 will ring rams and not knock them down, the 40-65 can do that but not nearly as often as the 38.
For a 38-55 to use the heavier bullets it really needs a 12 or 14 twist.
The 45-70 with an 18 twist will shoot well to 1000 yds even in the wind. Bullets at or around 480 grs will help keep the recoil down, but will still wear on you a bit more than a 40 shooting a 400 gr bullet.

 

[andym79]

I am a bit concerned this is the second time someone has told me that the 40-65 needs a 1:16 the Uberti has a 1:18!

 

[Jim Watson]

If you are stuck with an 18" twist, you might have to go to a lighter bullet, maybe 350 grains instead of the 404 and 420 that I have shot in my 16" twist Browning .40-65.

 

[eastbank]

my win 86 in 40-82 has a slower twist for a 260gr bullet, but it shoots lights out with 320gr cast bullet sized .407-.408. you will never know untill you try it. speed will play a part in it to. eastbank.

 

[BigBore45]

Maybe go with Thompson Center and you can just switch caliber by buying barrels?