"Other" calibers.....

[hhughh]

To all the Buffalo shooters out there, I have a question about calibers.

Over the next few years, I'm hoping to round out my collection with various Old West weapons.  I would prefer to have as many different calibers as guns.  So, as I am "locked in" to .45-70 in a Trapdoor, I'd like some input on the other calibers for a:

74 Sharps,
Rolling block
'85 Winchester
'86 Winchester--I know not strictly a "buffalo rifle", but sill large bore, large capacity, BP cartridges

Thanks for any suggestions.
Hugh

[Shotgun Franklin]

Start with a copy of 'Cartridges of the World'. There's a whole mess of them described under Obsolete American Cartridges.

[hhughh]

Thanks, SF.

I'll get that, and I also want Venturino's book on the Single Shots.  Was just hoping to hear from shooters with hands-on experience.  What they like, what they'd stay away from, etc.

Hugh

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[Shotgun Franklin]

OK, I'm real fond of a Remington Rolling Block in either .40-70 Straight or .40-70 Bottle Neck. The Bottle Neck is somewhat faster a round. I also like the Shapes ladder type rear sight. The last RB I had I put an old blade type front sight on. I'm more of a hunter than target shooter when it come to rifles.

[Jubal Starbuck]

   I have a Pedersoli Rolling Block in .40-65 that shoots very well and has never given me any problems.  A Winchester 1886 in .40-65 does well for me out to 250 yds., but I have not shot it beyond that.  Bullets in the 260 gr. range out of the '86 are probably a bit light for consistent knockdowns on buffalo, but it is a fun shooter.  400 grainers and Swiss powder work well out of the Rolling Block.

[bear tooth billy]

I had a pederosoli rebarreled to 50/90 16lbs 30'' barrel If you went into Zimmermans hardware in Dodge City in 1874 looking for a
buffalo rifle  thats probably  what you would have gotten. The BIG 50 reeekkss of history


                                               BTB

[StrawHat]

Another of the "Big 50s" can be found in a Trapdoor if you like that action.  I have an 1866 Trapdoor in 50-70.  Also rolling blocks in 45-70 and 50-70.  I like the 50-70, easy to reload and very accurate.  Possibly more game was taken with the 50-70 than others as it was easily the oldest commonly available cartridge.  Remington had a few cartridges for the buffalo fields and the target fields, the 44-77 comes to mind.

[Ranch 13]

74 sharps standard chambering was 45 2.1, it could be order with the longer chambers for extra. It was also available in a host of 40,44 and 50 cartridges.  As you have the 45-70 in the trapdoor already then maybe next best representative cartridge would be the "big 50" 50-90.
 Remington rollers were chambered in a handful of rimfire cartridges and some 40, 44 and the 50-70 centerfires, along with several European military cartridges. The atypical cartridge for that rifle would likely be either the 44-77 or 44-90, both cases are now commercially available from Jamison's.
 The 85 winchester was available in such a wide variety of cartirdges it would be hard to pick just one.
 The 86 chambered in the 40-82 had a great reputation, along with the 45-70 but you've already covered that one with the trapdoor.

[john boy]

A shooter is the RRB in 43 Spanish.  Akin to the Sharps 44-77.  Both are good to 1000yds

[hhughh]

Great suggestions, guys.  I'm all ears and still a-listening.  Keep 'em coming, please.

Hugh

[Yellowhouse Sam]

If you want a caliber that probably killed more buffalo (by indian and white hunters) and  more indians/soldiers....then get a trapdoor chambered in 50-70.                                     

[JimBob]

If you want a caliber that probably killed more buffalo (by indian and white hunters) and  more indians/soldiers....then get a trapdoor chambered in 50-70.                                     

You said it,that's what Buffalo Bill Cody was using when he aquired his moniker if I remember right.Probably saw more action in the Indian Wars than the .45-70.

[Jayhawker]

On the "smaller side" I've got a Uberti 1885 High Wall in .38-55. Not a classic "buffalo cartridge" but the thing is just a joy to shoot...

[Skyrider]

I suppose if you want to reap all the "horse-power" in a Buff rifle, you  could look at a 50-140.......Ouch!

I know they came later but that is one heck of a way to obtain a headache at the bench I was told.

[Marshal Deadwood]

If you want a caliber that probably killed more buffalo (by indian and white hunters) and  more indians/soldiers....then get a trapdoor chambered in 50-70.                                     

You said it,that's what Buffalo Bill Cody was using when he aquired his moniker if I remember right.Probably saw more action in the Indian Wars than the .45-70.[/quote

I have a nice 50-70 trapdoor. Only antique gun I own. Shoots good too.  It has an 'F S' carved in the   wood in front of the triggerguard,,,any ideas what that might mean ? Someones initials ? rank ?

Thanks

MD

[Otter]

I suppose if you want to reap all the "horse-power" in a Buff rifle, you  could look at a 50-140.......Ouch!

Shot one of them once . . . only once. Took me two days to regain use of my arm again . . . Just kidding, it really wasn't that bad .

[Grogan]

Keep in mind when you go to .50 anything caliber you have to make adjustments in your reloading gear.

I had to consider this when I came across a beautiful 16# "Big 50" Sharps that caught my eye.

It did take me a few days to make up my mind to take the jump.

Here's what I had that wouldn't work:  my Lee Auto Prime, Redding-Saeco Lubrisizer, .45 Rimmed Shell Holders, and all of my .40 and .45 Caliber Bullet Moulds.

I had to get:  .50 Rimmed Shell Holder, .50 cal. Bullet Molds, Lyman Lubri-sizer w/.50 cal. Sizing Die & Top Punch/es, .50 cal Priming Tool, and the proper dies for the cartridge/s I wanted to load for.

Once that was taken care of, running into a nice Remington Rolling Block in .50-70 made acquiring that a much easier decision.  

I'd highly recommend the .50-70 as a "fun" cartridge to shoot and load for.  

[Skyrider]

There are about a truckload of out of date calibers! I settled on a Winchester model 1876, in the 50 / 95 caliber. As was mentioned by another forum member, the book authored by Frank Barnes "Cartridges Of The World" will shead a a skyfull of information for you sir.