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Who Shoots .40 cal?

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Sinner

40 Cal.
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
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I just built an underhammer rifle in .40 cal (H&A style), and am interested in hearing from those who shoot that caliber. I've only shot .54 to this point. I have a 42" Colerain swamped barrel in 1:48 twist. I almost went with a Green River 36" 1:66 twist, but really like the swamped barrels.
What are your barrel specifications?
What's your favorite load?
Thanks for your input!
 
For some odd reason, I've gone to larger calibers for club shoots, hunting etc....but .40's were my favorite for many years. I still have my .40 cal rifles and pistols, and they might just end up back in action one day. It is a very accurate and pleasant caliber to shoot. I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.
I have a rifle with the Green River 1:66 barrel on it, and have put a lot of rounds through it ( and won a lot of club shoots with it). I also have a couple pistols in .40..one for competition and a shorter barrel just for fun. I shot .45 grains of 3f in the rifle with very good results, and 20 grains in the pistols.
I also shot a flinter with a swamped .40 cal Rice barrel for some time and it was an excellent shooter...but just got away from the flints a lot and a friend wanted it really bad. He shoots it in matches now and is tickled with it.
 
I enjoy shooting my 40 caliber flintlock at targets at my backyard range. The rifle is quite a bit quieter than my larger bore guns and there is no noticeable recoil.

It is a walnut fullstock custom made piece by the late Cotton Volrath from Michigan's UP. Has a 48" slow twist swamped Getz A weight barrel, modified large Siler lock, handmade single trigger with a light send off. Handmade iron furniture with an elk antler butt plate. This very loooong, light weight rifle handles like a fly rod fishing pole!

It is not at all fussy with various loads from 20 grains 3F Goex to 60 grains and a pillow ticked cotton patched .395 round ball. Accuracy is consistent as long as I do my part.
 
Thanks, I really enjoy hearing about your various rifles and loads. Loyalist Dave, what mold do you have for the .389 ball?
I'm glad to hear that several others also have 1:48 twist and good accuracy. If you have time. I'd love to see some pics of your rifles. I'm going to put one of mine on here too. It's nothing fancy, and I'm not a great finishing detailer, but I enjoyed doing it!
 
I have an original long rifle in .40", with the original powder horn and measure, and I've always been amazed at how small in volume the measure is. So my thought is that they shoot very well with light, or "powder puff" loads. Every couple years or so we shoot it, when the family gets together, but I don't shoot it as much as I'd like, as the lock could use some work, and I'm not sure if I want to mess with such an old original lock. Might do more damage than good....although I could not care less about "value", it will never be sold, as it has come down through the family since 1846. If some great-great-great-great grandchild sells it someday...a curse upon them!!! :) I'll be glad if they get less money for it.

But it seems to like around 25-30 grains of powder, and I just shoot my Remington Navy's .375" ball with a thick patch.
 
I like the .40 but it isn't my favorite caliber. The rifle I have is very nice, accurate and gets shot a fair amount. There's little recoil and small powder charges work very well. The barrel is a 38" GM either "B" wgt or maybe "C" wgt with a 1-48" twist. It's sorta between the two but is about 7.5-8.0 pounds and balances wonderfully when shouldered. It's not legal for deer or turkey so does mostly target work but could do for varmints or small game.
 
I like the .40 but it isn't my favorite caliber. The rifle I have is very nice, accurate and gets shot a fair amount. There's little recoil and small powder charges work very well. The barrel is a 38" GM either "B" wgt or maybe "C" wgt with a 1-48" twist. It's sorta between the two but is about 7.5-8.0 pounds and balances wonderfully when shouldered. It's not legal for deer or turkey so does mostly target work but could do for varmints or small game.

I don't know yet if it will be a favorite or not. I hope to shoot it this weekend. My favorite caliber is .54. I'm starting to get back involved in rendezvous (none since 1983.), and there seems to be several trail shoots that either .45 or .40 are maximum for them.
 
20190504_180014.jpg 20190504_180138.jpg Here are some pics of the underhammer. I'm going to try it out tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your loads with me.

20190504_180014_zps64d51frj.jpg
 
Nice looking underhammer! Please remember to wear a long sleeve shirt to protect your left arm (if you are a right handed shooter) from the cap blast. The long sleeves will also protect your right arm if you shoot lefty style.

I had to learn this the hard way! I have a PHD from the "School of Hard Knocks"
 
I like underhammers simply because my first muzzleloader was a .45 underhammer; I still have it. I always wore a long sleeve shirt when I fired it and of course when hunting with it. I do remember one time I was at a range and shooting off a bench. I had on a long sleeve shirt and a towel in my lap all for protection. After a few shots I noticed the towel was on fire! Here's my only .40.
 
From the GM website;

40 caliber, 1:48 twist, 42" length, 13/16" across the flats diameter, 1137 steel, 6 lbs, single point cut rifled, air gauged, stress relieved, octagon barrel with breech end threaded 5/8" x 18" RH for a muzzleloader build.
 
Thanks Eric.
I'm fortunate so far, hanshi, that I haven't had and fires or burns yet! That's a nice looking rifle
 
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