pedersoli(uberti) rolling block caliber decision

TheBear · July 22, 2013, 10:24 AM

we have a little game at my local shooting range called "cowboy style varmint control" its about shooting varmint shape steel plates at 50, 100, 150, 200 yards. Of course only "cowboy weapons" and cast bullets (no gc) are allowed, i use a marlin 1895 in .357mag and a 1874 sharps in 45-70gov., well, the sharps is accurate enough but its overkill for the game, the marlin is good up to 100 yards. The smallest of the steel plates is the rat (approx. 2.5" high, 4" long) hitting it at 150 yards is a real challenge, hitting it at 200 yards is nearly impossible for me using the marlin.
i think the pedersoli rolling block rifle could be just what i need but im not sure which caliber i should choose. options for me are 30-30win, 357mag and 38-55win. question is: is this rifle capable to shoot 2.5" groups at 200 yards? which cartridge gives me best accuracy? i guess its 30-30 but im not sure, many people say the 38-55 is very accurate too.

bedbugbilly · July 22, 2013, 12:01 PM

Can't help you with your question but what you're describing sure sounds like a lot of fun! I'll be curious as to the answers. I've been giving some thought to a rolling block (Doc Hoy and his "rifle addiction" has become a bad influence on us

) and for the plinking I do, I think one chambered in .357 would be ideal.

Whatever way you go, I hope you'll find something to take the rats out - it has to be a lot of fun and I'm sure you and your fellow shooters don't razz each other too much.

If you find one that works well on 'em, I'd have a little plaque made and attach it to the stock naming it "Rat Poison".

steinauge · July 23, 2013, 05:57 AM

The 30-30 is going to be your best bet.You can use modern bullets and some very efficient powders.Years ago I got some pretty impressive 100 and 200 yd groups using a Savage 340 in 30-30.IIRC I was using 30-3031 and a Speer 130gr .308" spitzer.The Sierra 150 gr spitzer boattail also worked very well over 29 gr of the same powder.These same loads work equally well in my 1952 vintage Win 94.You just have to load 1 in the chamber and 1 in the tube.

TheBear · July 23, 2013, 06:14 AM

i didnt know that there are bolt action rifles chambered for 30-30...

I`m sure the 30-30 would be way more accurate then the .357 mag and 38-55 if i would use jacketet bullets but the game only allows lead cast bullets without gc.
do you think the bottleneck cartridge is still more accurate when its limited to use cast bullets?

Old Stony · July 23, 2013, 06:36 AM

You will find the 38/55 to be a very versatile cartridge. It can be loaded to a variety of velocities from light plinking loads using unique with cast bullets to regular rifle specs for hunting. It also does quite well with black powder if that is interesting to you.
I personally have had a problem with Pedersoli that would keep me from ever purchasing one again, but the caliber is available in a number of rifles, including Marlin if you would like a lever action.

Ibmikey · July 23, 2013, 08:00 AM

The .38-55 and .32-40 were the first chambering for the new 1894 Winchester with the .30 WCF following a few years later (1895). Both .38-55 and 32-40 were known for their excellent accuracy and were often loaded in target rifles to reach long distances. Stony has the straight poop on loading up or down with ease as both cartridges use a tapered case rather than the heavy neck of the 30 WCF.

steinauge · July 23, 2013, 01:56 PM

Didnt realize you had to use cast bullets.Either the 38-55 or 30-30 will do under those circumstances.I would not bet against the 30-30 with a cast bullet of around 190 grains.

Hawg · July 23, 2013, 02:18 PM

If you're using bp I'd go with the 38-55. If you're using smokeless I'd go with the 30-30.

July 22, 2013, 10:24 AM	#1
TheBear Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 303	pedersoli(uberti) rolling block caliber decision we have a little game at my local shooting range called "cowboy style varmint control" its about shooting varmint shape steel plates at 50, 100, 150, 200 yards. Of course only "cowboy weapons" and cast bullets (no gc) are allowed, i use a marlin 1895 in .357mag and a 1874 sharps in 45-70gov., well, the sharps is accurate enough but its overkill for the game, the marlin is good up to 100 yards. The smallest of the steel plates is the rat (approx. 2.5" high, 4" long) hitting it at 150 yards is a real challenge, hitting it at 200 yards is nearly impossible for me using the marlin. i think the pedersoli rolling block rifle could be just what i need but im not sure which caliber i should choose. options for me are 30-30win, 357mag and 38-55win. question is: is this rifle capable to shoot 2.5" groups at 200 yards? which cartridge gives me best accuracy? i guess its 30-30 but im not sure, many people say the 38-55 is very accurate too.

July 22, 2013, 12:01 PM	#2
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Can't help you with your question but what you're describing sure sounds like a lot of fun! I'll be curious as to the answers. I've been giving some thought to a rolling block (Doc Hoy and his "rifle addiction" has become a bad influence on us ) and for the plinking I do, I think one chambered in .357 would be ideal. Whatever way you go, I hope you'll find something to take the rats out - it has to be a lot of fun and I'm sure you and your fellow shooters don't razz each other too much. If you find one that works well on 'em, I'd have a little plaque made and attach it to the stock naming it "Rat Poison". __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

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July 23, 2013, 05:57 AM	#3
steinauge Member Join Date: July 18, 2012 Posts: 24	The 30-30 is going to be your best bet.You can use modern bullets and some very efficient powders.Years ago I got some pretty impressive 100 and 200 yd groups using a Savage 340 in 30-30.IIRC I was using 30-3031 and a Speer 130gr .308" spitzer.The Sierra 150 gr spitzer boattail also worked very well over 29 gr of the same powder.These same loads work equally well in my 1952 vintage Win 94.You just have to load 1 in the chamber and 1 in the tube.

July 23, 2013, 06:14 AM	#4
TheBear Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 303	i didnt know that there are bolt action rifles chambered for 30-30... I`m sure the 30-30 would be way more accurate then the .357 mag and 38-55 if i would use jacketet bullets but the game only allows lead cast bullets without gc. do you think the bottleneck cartridge is still more accurate when its limited to use cast bullets?

July 23, 2013, 06:36 AM	#5
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	You will find the 38/55 to be a very versatile cartridge. It can be loaded to a variety of velocities from light plinking loads using unique with cast bullets to regular rifle specs for hunting. It also does quite well with black powder if that is interesting to you. I personally have had a problem with Pedersoli that would keep me from ever purchasing one again, but the caliber is available in a number of rifles, including Marlin if you would like a lever action.

July 23, 2013, 08:00 AM	#6
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	The .38-55 and .32-40 were the first chambering for the new 1894 Winchester with the .30 WCF following a few years later (1895). Both .38-55 and 32-40 were known for their excellent accuracy and were often loaded in target rifles to reach long distances. Stony has the straight poop on loading up or down with ease as both cartridges use a tapered case rather than the heavy neck of the 30 WCF.

July 23, 2013, 01:56 PM	#7
steinauge Member Join Date: July 18, 2012 Posts: 24	Didnt realize you had to use cast bullets.Either the 38-55 or 30-30 will do under those circumstances.I would not bet against the 30-30 with a cast bullet of around 190 grains.

July 23, 2013, 02:18 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	If you're using bp I'd go with the 38-55. If you're using smokeless I'd go with the 30-30.