I'm considering the purchase of a new rifle in either 40/65 or 40/60 Maynard, I have narrowed down my action selection to either a Hi Wall with DST or a Ballard, replicas, not originals. The rifle will be used for black powder silhouette and bench rest shoots.
I currently have CVPA Stevens in 38/56, 45/70 and 45/90, the sale of these will finance the new rifle. I had a 40/65 and was more than happy with it but a change would be as good as a holiday.  The cost of brass is not a consideration, I thought the 40/60 Maynard may be a bit easier to work up a load for, the 38/56 has proved a little difficult in the past. Any thoughts regarding action sources and barrels would be appreciated. I believe that Meacham is no longer making a suitable DST Hi Wall.
Mike.

They offer single set or double set triggers at Wyoming Armory in the Winchester 1885 style rifle.  Steve Garbe had a couple rifles at the National Silhouette match in Raton in 2012.  The rifles handled and looked great.  He was taking orders, not sure if any have been shipped, but they are showing both triggers on the website.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

C.Sharps will sell you a complete High Wall action in the white or build the rifle for you with the barrel of your choice. I certainly like mine. SST w/GM barrel. Never a problem with the SST in any shooting position. Great trigger. So much so that both of my Low Walls have the SST.

Don't give up on the 38-56. Have finally started getting mine to shoot. Discovered it is like most BPCR rifles.......... if your technique isn't great neither is your score. Tied my personal best and then set a new best the next day at the last match of the season in Oct. Looking forward to continued improvement starting in Mar.

Thanks guys.
I had a Miroku 1885 Hi Wall with a Lee Shaver trigger job and it was very very good, However for shooting off the bench I feel the DST is better as it can be set for a very light pull which is adjustable. My Stevens have double triggers. My leaning is towards the 40/60 Maynard simply because 303 brass is easy to come by here, and being a straight case it may be easier to work up a load for. And heck, it's something I have never had.
Y'all have a great Xmas.
Mike.

I don't have as much experience with the 40/60 Maynard as the 40/65 but I have some. The 303 brass will be a little short, around .030-.040" short when fireformed. Krag brass is a better choice or the .405 Hornady brass, but the chamber will need to be cut especially for the .405 brass.

I have found the best way to form the brass is to expand the necks to hold a lead 38 special pistol bullet, charge with 8-10 grains of unique, fireform and trim. The necks will be more uniform this way compared to expanding the necks in stages.

I am able to get 53-55 grains of 1 1/2 Swiss into the Maynard case with a Brooks 420 Creedmoor bullet with a reduced front band. I get 58 grains in my 40/65 with the same bullet, so the two loads are quite comparable. I've shot two silhouette matches with the 40/60 but not with as much success as my 40/65. 

I've got a highwall in 40/65 that crapped out several years ago and I'll rebarrel it this winter to either the 40/50 Sharps Straight or the 40/60 Maynard. I'm not sure yet which one it will be.

Mick B wrote on Dec 25^th, 2013 at 6:36pm:


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