Most popular Caliber for CowBoy Silhouette?

[TexasHorn]

I am wanting to by a lever action for both hunting and silhouette shooting. I am leaning towards a 45/70 (Hunt dear and boar). Is this a caliber that can be shot in silhouette or should I just go for a smaller caliber?

[Sixgun]

It is good for Cowboy Rifle Silhouette.  Recoil may beat you up in a 40 round match, worse in a 60 or 80 round match.  A 357, 41, 44, or a 45 can be used in Pistol cartridge Cowboy Rifle and can still be used for Cowboy Rifle and Hunting.

Good Cowboy Rifle only rounds, which can be used for hunting, are 30-30, 35 rem, 38-55 and 45-70.  Of these, I prefer the 30-30.  

Sixgun

[Jason]

I shoot that match with a 30-30 and it's more than enough gun. I generally prefer as little as recoil as possible in competitive matches, and I'm happy with the 30-30. I wouldn't go above a 35 Rem, for sure. If you just want to get a gun for deer/boar hunting that's also legal for the cowboy lever match, any of the bigger calibers like 45/70 will be fine. You're going to take a beating unnecessarily in matches, though.

[rn122]

Good advice from both sixgun and Jason!  They covered it pretty well. Only thing that I can add is, it's yer gun, go with the calibre that'll make you the happiest.    You may want to invest in a PAST like recoil shield if you use the 45-70 for match shooting.  That metal buttplate can whack you something fierce!

[oinkmaster]

We shoot a 45-70, for cowboy silhouette. We load with 11.4grs of unique and a 300 gr. cast bullet. This load is very low recoil, and plenty accurate. The 45-70 is a versatile round. it can be down loaded for target shooting. or with a modern rifle it can be a very powerful round. There is plenty of good loading data available.

[TexasHorn]

Thanks to all of yuo for the feedback. I was wanting another reason to buy a 1895GG this week. Now I am trying to decide if I want the stainless!

TexasHorn   :cb2: