My second rookie gun question

[BobbyF]

Hi Pards,
     Your informed replies to my first question enabled me to get to number two. You got me over my hangup on adjustable sights, thank you for that. I don't shoot CAS (yet). I now shoot a Ruger  new blk hawk .357 6.5 brl, I love it. But I want to go more period (excuse). I am going nuts over the Cimerrons etc: the 1851 conversions,R-M, Man with no Name, Open Top Navy, Schofields.
   Are the Open Tops structurally adequate to shoot rounds that I would be using for target and plinking ?
    What would be the most practical caliber ? I was thinking of .45 or .44 as more period and a change of pace from the 9mm and .38. I don't reload. I was wondering about availability and prices etc, performance
     Help me smooth out the gray matter I have left. And thank you for any advice. Be well--BobbyF

[FriscoCounty]

I shoot 8" 1871 Open Tops in .44 Spcl with Navy grips.  I  find them to have the most natural point of aim for me next to my Series 70 Gold Cup.  I also think the Open Tops  just look 'period', more so than 1873 Colts. Don't know why, I just do. 

As far a cartridge goes, the original Open Tops were chambered for .44 Henry.  Which made it perfect for combining with the 1860 Henry or 1866 Winchester.  Size wise, the closest centerfire equivalent is the .44 Russian.  Powder capaciity wise, the .44 Special is closest.   I shoot .44 Russian out of my Open Tops and 1866 Winchester, chambered for .44 Special, with a Cowboy Carrier.

The Schofields are nice guns, but try one before buying one.  You will either love it or hate it. 

[Abilene]

If you want a '51 Richards-Mason or a MWNN "conversion", those are .38 only.  If you go with the Opentop, 1860 Richards-Mason or Type II Richards, then you can get them in .38, .44 and .45.  I have 4 of the '51 R-M's and love them.  If I was going with a bigger bore I'd get the .44 Spcl since I love that cartridge as well (and you can shoot .44 Colt or Russian in it).  I would shoot a .45 but I reload, so I would probably stick with BP rounds, or light loaded smokeless with a 200gr or smaller bullet.  Or better yet, load .45 S&W rounds or even .45 Cowboy Special.  Just to keep the wear factor down.  Since you don't reload, you are stuck with what you can buy, and often commercial 45LC ammo, even "cowboy loads," may be a little hotter than what I might want to shoot on a regular basis out of a gun like that.  As for the Schofield, like FriscoCounty says, you may or may not like it.  Personally, I love the way the Schofield and the various Remingtons look, but they do not fit my hands at all and I can't reach the hammer on those shooting one-handed.  YMMV.

[Major 2]

38's in my Navy conversions
44 Colt in my Army's 

They are all I shoot in NCOWS ( save for the very occasional 45 Remington conversion or 45 Store Keepers SAA )

My favorite are my 2 -Type 1 Richards & my Type 2 Richards conversion.

[Tornado]

If you don't reload then I would highly recommend the 38 special.  If you do go with the 44 or 45, then sooner or later you will reload.

[Stu Kettle]

It looks to me that you've already identified your biggest problem: "I don't reload".  While factory .38s cost less than larger calibers, it's not always easy to find the load your looking for, and rolling your own will cost a lot less than buying ready-mades.

As for your other question, I'm one of those guys who thinks a real gun should be chambered in a caliber that starts with 4. On the other hand, since you already have a .357 you can save yourself some money by going with .38s, because you can use the same dies and the same bullets to reload them.  You may also find that you enjoy loading your own ammo, many of us do.   While it probably won't save you any money in the long run, you will be able to shoot up a lot more ammo for the dollars you spend.

[BobbyF]

Hi Pards,
     Once again this board came through. Your responses really cut down the learning curve for me. Thank you all.
     I did finally get to a  CAS match at the N.M. State shooting park near Albuquerque. It was fantastic. The match was sponsored by the Rio Grand Renagades. The members were friendly and knowledgable  and more than happy to answer any questions. I didn't shoot this time but I was afforded the opportunity. I will next time.
     As far as what gun I should buy, I think I'll buy one of each (I wish). Thanks again and be well--BobbyF