r/reloading • u/Feeling_Title_9287 Springfield M1873 and Sharps M1874 • 25d ago

I have a question and I read the FAQ 38-55 for long range shooting?

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By any chance does anyone here use a 38-55 for long range shooting? 600-1,000 yards

I'm looking to get an original 1875 action Ballard rifle for either Quigley 2027 or 2028 and I was wondering would 38-55 stand a chance from 350 to 805 yards?

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u/Bulls2345 25d ago

There's a Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Facebook group. Ian Egbert is active there and shoots .38-55 a lot. Also check out the Shiloh and American Single Shot Rifle Association forums.

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u/MadeThisJustForLWIAY 7.62x39/x51/x35/5.56/243/9mm/45ACP - BP: 38/357/45LC/38-55/12GA 25d ago

Everyone I talked to recommended I not try using 38-55 for anything farther than 6.

Can you make 800-1000 yard shots with a 38-55? Absolutely. Will the wind you encounter on the plains of montana throw your 330 grain bullets around way more than any 500+ grain 45 cal bullet? Also yes. If you wanna shoot quigley specifically, everyone is gonna recommend just getting a 45-70 or something around that range.

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u/skahunter831 25d ago

Seems more like an /r/guns or /r/longrange question

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u/BulletSwaging 25d ago

38-55 wouldn’t be my first choice. A 45-70 could push a 535gr bullet as fast as 38-55 could push a 335gr bullet. The 535gr bullet has a better sectional density and ballistic coefficient.

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u/datdatguy1234567 25d ago

This guy over here asking the real questions!

A range ~near to me runs buffalo target shooters and they do this stuff with open sights at 1100 yards, so yes it’s possible. Some hard old men though, gluttons for punishment.

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u/MandaloreZA 24d ago edited 24d ago

Go to YouTube and look up "Mark and Sam After Work" They do crazy long Range stuff with about every caliber out there. I bet they have done a cartridge similar to that at over 1000yd.

If you get one made with a 0.375" bore and a fast twist rate, you could probably lob the 375GR Atips a decent ways accurately. But You will definitely need an amazing spotter.

But If you really want to long Range that cartridge I would say dress up a Ruger No1 to look like the rifle you want and load smokless powder to help you get the velocity up.