Per ASSRA rules- plain base lead bullets only , no jackets, no gas checks. Modern commercial ammunition may be dangerous in antique rifles
The 45 caliber rounds are most likely to be encountered at a long range shoot. Usually found in a Sharps rifle or a Remington Rolling block . They aren't practical for general Schuetzen work unless you like punishment. The 45-120 Sharps is famous as the Matthew Quigley's gun in the the movie Quigley Down Under. Available in powder charges from 70 grain equivalents of Black powder all the way to 120 grains. The 45-70 was adopted by the the US Military in 1873. Be AWARE that commercially available 45-70 rounds are not suitible for antique rifles and should not be used. For more info on the 45-70 see the wikipedia page
The 44 caliber rounds share much with the 45s. Most are used for long range competition and are generally impractical for Schuetzen. The 44S or 44-77 was the round used in the "Creedmoor" Rolling block for the competition between the Irish and the Americans in 1874 . An article in Research Press gives additional information. 44 calibers can be found from 44-40 up to 44-105 grains of black powder. Military rounds such as 43 Spanish and some 11. millimeter rounds are very similar to the 44-77.
Caliber offerings from 40 -45 to 40 - 110 . The most commonly encountered are the 40-65 and the 40-50 both for mid range competition. At Beeson's range, Class 2 designation is used for targets shot with 40 Caliber and higher. The "Buffalo Match" (Crossed stick match) record at Beeson's was set with a 40-70.
Calibers range from 38- 40 to 38-90.
The 38-55 is a favorite with offhand shooters and is the predominant .38 caliber found at a match and still (may be) commercially available. Again, modern rounds are NOT safe in an antique rifle.
Schuetzen originated in Europe and came here with the immigrants from central Europe. Many Schuetzen rifles were brought home with returning WWII veterans. The metric calibers (in our competitions) range from 7mm to 9 mm. The predominant being 8.15 x 46R. This round is closest to the American 32-40 - ish. The 9.3 x 74R is also commonly found in these rifles. Schuetzen guild rifles are prized for their carved stocks, engraved actions and old world craftsmanship.
Calibers range from 32-20 to 32-40 but bullet diameters can vary widely. The 32-40 Remington can have a .309 bullet diameter and the 32-40 (Ballard & Marlin , or Ballard & Winchester, or Winchester) is .321 bullet diameter. The 32-40 B&M is predominant among the original 32 caliber cartridges. The 32 is the most common caliber at most matches.
None pictured. Because this sport lends itself to tinkerers and craftsmen alike, there are many " wildcat " 32 calibers out there. One may only find one when you buy a rifle and find out it's a
32 Dell ( named for Charlie Dell, famed ASSRA experimenter)
or 32 RKS ( Ron K Smith , gain twist barrel maker)
or 32 Miller or 32 Miller short ( Dean Miller co-creator of the DeHaas Miller action)
or 32 your name here.....
Most of these are made from Remington 357 Maximum brass and altered in a way to fit a specialized chambering.
One will find these in modern single shot actions such as the DeHaas-Miller, Peregrine, Hauck, etc,.
Like the Loch Ness monster, it's one of a kind. They are out there. 99% of this chambering will be on a Stevens 44 or 44 1/2 action, but some people tinker. The brass is hard to find because we buy it even if we don't have the rifle (yet).
Some clubs have special Quarterbore matches. Calibers generally are 25-20 SingleShot, 25-21 Stevens, and 25-20 Marlin (or Winchester)
Certainly this is not an exhaustive list. Harry Pope (Grandfather of American Schuetzen) chambered rifles in .33-47. One may find .30 Herrets and .35-40s . It is a real hoot to watch a 50 caliber bullet go down range and hit the target (yes, they are big enough and slow enough to see through a scope) , but the 50's are mainly a curiosity. There may be a dozen or more unmentioned 32JohnDoes.
While much of the listed brass is commercially available- even as a specialty item, some has to be made from something else. It is good to have a supply of 30-40 Krag brass, 45 Basic (if you can find it), 357 Rem Max (not Mag) and 38-55. The Handloaders Manual of Cartrdge Conversions and Cartridges of the World are great resources.
American Single Shot Rifle Association