I’m just starting to load for my Shiloh Sharps in 40-65 and am looking for info on a standard bullet weight and mold. What were they originally designed with? I’m only looking to punch paper and ring gongs out to 200 yds, maybe deer opportunity out to 100 yds. I’m not looking to sling a giant chunks of lead (I load my 45-70 for that). I’m currently leaning towards LYMAN 403169 mold. Any input or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. 

Note: The tang sight has been swapped out for a MVA

I use the 412263 Lyman bullet (was for the 405 Winchester) for out to 200 meters. It casts about .412 and weighs about 285 grains. The 403169 (240 grain flatpoint) was for the 38-40 (and that's where I used it) and will cast too small in diameter for your 40-65.

I've been using the NOE 411400 and the lyman 412288 sized to .410 with excellent results in my shiloh. When I first got it I was thinking about the lyman 403169 because its like the original bullet but like the original they are under sized at .403 and modern .40's are .408 so I found the other molds. The noe is a 400 grain and the lyman is 288 grain the lyman being close to the original 260 grain weight. The noe is not the least bit fussy giving one hole groups with several powders and I'm working with the lyman to get it to do the same. My next step is to go to the dark side and try good old black powder with them.

I have two Shiloh's in 40-65 and have spent a lot of time with them.

If you have the standard 1:16 twist, the best short range ( 200-300 yards ) bullet I've ever seen is the Saeco #740.   I've shot lots of sub moa groups with it.   Buffalo Arms makes a cop of it too, but without the flat meplat on the nose.   BACO 410410SP I believe.

The other bullet that works extremely well, especially in the wind at longer distances is the BACO 409400M4 "money bullet".   I've also shot lots of sub-moa groups with it, and set our clubs all time silhouette record with it.

My second Shiloh 40-65 has a 1:14 twist.  It also likes those bullets, but is slightly less accurate than the 1:16 twist one.

Chris.

Wikipedia sums it up pretty well.

“Introduced in 1887 for the Winchester Model 1886, and available in Winchester single shots and in the Marlin Model 1895, it was "a further effort to put more steam" in repeating rifle cartridges.

Only way to get higher velocity and flatter trajectory with black powder and a reasonable barrel length is a lighter bullet. Don’t think “more steam” is accurate. Better odds of hits on game more like it. Targets at known distances another thing. 

Boats

Thank you all for the input, this definitely will help me to get a better start! Now to decide if I want to change out the front sight for a globe. Already changed out the rear for a quality and properly fitting MVA.

If you're interested in a globe sight I would suggest the ones made by Lee Shaver they're a spirit level style that comes with inserts and the price is very reasonable. I prefer them to the MVA globe because they don't have the retaining spring on the top that gets snagged on everything.

Flyinchips wrote on Apr 14^th, 2024 at 9:49am:


Your sight picture will be greatly improved with a globe front sight with peep type sight inserts, in combination with your MVA tang sight.

I have a Ron Long tapered bullet, for a .408 groove barrel, 1.35 long and 388 gr

marlinguy wrote on Apr 14^th, 2024 at 2:29pm:


About to order one of Lee's front sights now. Now I just need to make up my mind on the standard 17a, or his P-H which is a little larger. Any thoughts? Out of all my rifles, only one has a globe front and it's a Kelly.

I mostly shoot long distance so my preference is the smaller diameter. If I shot mostly 300 yds. or less the larger PH would be better.