38 special or 45 schofield for 72' open top?

[Will52100]

I'm thinking seariously about getting a 72' open top, navy grip 5.5" barrel.  The thing is I'm having a hard time deciding on which calibure.  I've got dies and 6 cavity molds for either.  I will be shooting black powder for the most part.  I wouldn't mind 44 colt but I don't have brass or dies or molds for it.

Which is better handling/more accurate, pro's cons, ect.?  Or is it just personal preferance?

Thanks,

Will

[leverfan]

Ask this same question, or do a search, over on the SASS forum.  There are several threads about the Open Top, common problems, handling qualities, etc.

You can use .44 Russian dies and brass to keep that .44 Colt gun fed.  My Russian load is a Mav Dutchman big lube bullet, 19.5 grains of Goex fffg, and Starline brass.  This is a very gentle load to shoot, but it makes plenty of smoke and fire.  The short Russian brass is also easy to eject.  .44 Colt ammo and brass is usually available from sources like Midway, but Russian is more plentiful.  A set of Lee dies and 100 Russian cases from Starline or Top should only set you back about $30.  Gunbroker has been listing Open Tops in .44 Colt/Russian for as little as $419.  They can also be ordered from Cimarron in .44 Special.

[Flint]

I have 2 Opentops, one is 44 Special and the other 44 Colt, in both I shoot 44 Russian.  I also have barrels and cylinders to change them to 38 Special and 45 Schofield.

The 45 Schofield rim barely clears the ejection port, and the cylinder is thin, but it shoots fine.  The 38 Special is a good and accurate caliber in the gun, but imakes the gun heavier and doesn't balance as well.

My favorite is 44 Russian, and a load of 18 gr BP with a Black Dawge  bullet is smooth, smokey and light of recoil.  The 45 Schofield kicks less than a 45 Colt, but not by a lot.

For the price of a set of dies, the 44 Russian, which will chamber in both the 44 Special and the 44 Colt cylinder is a very good cartridge for CAS.

[Will52100]

Thanks Guys, I got to handle a 44 colt open top at a match and am impressed with the handling and pointability.  Molds and such aren't that expensive, just means I'll have to save a little longer.