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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2 (Read 14239 times)
S99VG
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Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:03am
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You guys have been a great help in sorting out what to do with a couple projects I have going.  For instance, based on input from a recent post I'm sending a barrel in 25 Stevens rimfire from a 044 1/2 back to CPA to be refinished and have scope blocks installed as it appears I can get it up and running by building custom ammo from either 17 Hornady rimfire or 22 Hornet centerfire brass.  Of course the latter will require conversion of the breech block, which is okay as that rifle will be getting other barrels too.  Which brings me to my question.  My other project is a 44 1/2.  Long range shooting is one of the things I would be interested in doing with the rifle and it seems like the 38-55 is the most the 44 1/2 will take in achieving this goal.  However, as I'm still very much in the learning stage of everything I would like to ask if there isn't another cartridge that would do the job better and still fit within the specifications of the 44 1/2 barrel shank?  And at this point I don't mind considering custom reloading as I figure that is very much part of the single shot game too.  Many thanks again for your help.

PS - or does the answer lie in what they said in the WWII film 12 O'Clock High, squeezing out the "maximum effort" of the 38-55 by finding the right combintion of bullet and powder?
« Last Edit: Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:36am by S99VG »  
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Ranch13
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #1 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:28am
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If you're talking about a CPA built rifle, then the 45-70 or 45-90 will be a bunch better choice than the 38-55 for long range shooting.
  
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S99VG
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #2 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:34am
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It's a Stevens and not CPA built rifle.  Thanks
  
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Ranch13
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #3 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:41am
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38-55 craps out pretty bad at 600 especially if there's wind. The 38-50 remington does a bit better.
  
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beltfed
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #4 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:47am
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Ditto the 38-50RH. Mine is doing well out to 600yds and
I hope to try it at 1K. BP loads, of course.  -a 360 gr DDEPP bullet clocking 1370fps
beltfed/arnie
  
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JLouis
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #5 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 11:00am
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Not know if you are planning on using smokeless or BP or your actual intended use. Be it hunting, pleasure or competitive use. Probably no one knows more about the strength of the 441/2's than Gail at CPA. I would ask Her about what she might recommend.
  
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Bulseyetom
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #6 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 11:27am
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Long range to me is anything past 50 yards  Wink so I am no expert in the field, but would a 40 caliber based on a 30-40 case or shortened one work better at the longer ranges than a 38 caliber?  Tom
  
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gnoahhh
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #7 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:10pm
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Would a .40-63 (.40-70) Ballard work in this instance?
  
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S99VG
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #8 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:12pm
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Bulseyetom wrote on Aug 3rd, 2021 at 11:27am:
Long range to me is anything past 50 yards  Wink so I am no expert in the field, but would a 40 caliber based on a 30-40 case or shortened one work better at the longer ranges than a 38 caliber?  Tom


Heck, for me that's pretty much everything past the glasses I've been wearing since 5th grade!
  
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S99VG
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #9 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:13pm
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gnoahhh wrote on Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:10pm:
Would a .40-63 (.40-70) Ballard work in this instance?


I'll ask Gail!
  
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S99VG
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #10 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:14pm
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JLouis wrote on Aug 3rd, 2021 at 11:00am:
Not know if you are planning on using smokeless or BP or your actual intended use. Be it hunting, pleasure or competitive use. Probably no one knows more about the strength of the 441/2's than Gail at CPA. I would ask Her about what she might recommend.


Pleasure and/or competitive use and black and/or smokeless powder.  Depending on my mood for the day!
  
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S99VG
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #11 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:16pm
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Ranch13 wrote on Aug 3rd, 2021 at 10:41am:
38-55 craps out pretty bad at 600 especially if there's wind. The 38-50 remington does a bit better.


Yeah, we've talked about this one before.  I'll have to start compiling information on the 38-55 Remington.  It isn't easy to find!
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #12 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:25pm
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I believe that shank size is going to be your limiting factor in a rifle cartridge in an original 44 1/2. The CPA Stevens was made larger to have a larger shank for cartridges in the 45-70 range.
  
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Ranch13
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #13 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:26pm
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It 38-50 remington, easy enough to just run a reamer in the 38-55 chamber. Brass is formed out of 303 brit or 30-40 Krag
  
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Cat_Whisperer
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Re: Looking for a Maximum Range Cartridge for 44 1/2
Reply #14 - Aug 3rd, 2021 at 12:28pm
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blue sky thinking here:  what about the 9.3x74R?
good long heavy bullet.
  
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