RandyRay41
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What kind of accuracy should I expect out of a replica 1860 sharps breech loader?
1860 sharps
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Crawdad1
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Randy, who built it? Black powder firearms are sometimes kind of picky about the load they like or love. You have to work with it. I had a Hatfield rifle that took me years to figure out why she hated 3Fg so much.
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RandyRay41
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Crawdad, it was just a general question. I was looking at a couple on gun broker. Have not narrowed it down to a particular brand. Really interested in how the breech loading BP paper cartridge worked. Since I have no knowledge I am ignorant to them. How does loading from the breech compress the powder against the projectile.
whughett
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I am no expert but I would suspect the use of 3FG in a rifle with a barrel as long as most Hatfields would not work very well. I think the pressure curve would be all wrong.
Burn rate in BP is determined by, among other things, the granulation. The finer the powder the faster the burn rate. Slowest to fastest 1FG to 4FG .
With smokeless fast powder is for handguns/shotguns, slow is for rifles. Seems like the same for BP
Just an over simplified way of looking at it.
Crawdad1
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Well, from what I've seen over the years most shooters use either 2Fg or 3Fg in their longrifles. It can be used interchangeably in a rifle and dependent on what your rifle likes. But don't handcuff yourself, go with the powder, either 2F or 3F, that your rifle likes best. That's my Hatfield, I bought her brand new back in '88, a good rifle once I figured her out.
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Cosmoline
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The breech loading Sharps were creatures unto themselves. They're typically loaded with paper cartridges, 50-70 grains 2F, and special bullets. More like 80 if you're not using paper. Some of the replicas aren't as good as the others. Sealing the breach remains a problem with them. Shiloh would be the one I'd try to get. There are also brass case semi-cartridges you can use to hold the powder and help keep the piece shooting cleaner, but that may only be for the Pedersolis.
Big Al Mass
Member
In the Sharps, the paper cartridge is inserted into the breach with a small amount hanging out. This portion is sheared off by the breach-block when it is closed. After that, cap and fire as usual. That is the basic description.
Tinpan58
Member
I believe the model is, 1859 Sharps carbine I have been interested in them as well. Cabelas has them on sell for 1095.00. From what I have read you need to get the bullet mold made for that carbine, and it dose not like subs their is ignition problems with them, so real bp. Here is a good video on the pedersoli model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuGzA1-HbNo
It starts off kinda strange but you do get a good look at the gun and paper cartridges, and about half way thru the video he shoots it at 375 yrds, then at 600 yrds impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuGzA1-HbNo
It starts off kinda strange but you do get a good look at the gun and paper cartridges, and about half way thru the video he shoots it at 375 yrds, then at 600 yrds impressive.
whughett
Member
Never owned one but did act as a go between for the sale of one. A co-worker had one for sale in the 80's. I took it to friend of my who snapped it up. For sheer grace and beauty I don't think I have ever seen another rifle like that one. The curly (fiddle back) maple
full length stock was just awesome. I use curly maple in wood projects, got to be one of the prettiest woods around.
Is that a goat?
PRD1
Member
Since no one has...
attempted to answer the question you actually asked...
The best accuracy you should expect from a Sharps percussion carbine, properly loaded, is ca. 4" at 100 yards.
PRD1 - mhb - Mike
attempted to answer the question you actually asked...
The best accuracy you should expect from a Sharps percussion carbine, properly loaded, is ca. 4" at 100 yards.
PRD1 - mhb - Mike
Crawdad1
Member
Whug, they were a beautiful rifle in their time weren't they? Although there are a lot better rifles being built today. Its a corsican ram. I was backing up a friend who was on a hog hunt with his bow but I saw this one and he got a little too close. Dumb, dumb, dumb and a very expensive mistake on my part.
Randy, you have to work with them, the more you work and experiment the better accuracy you'll get. Like I said it took me awhile and a lot of shooting and cleaning to figure out my rifle.
Randy, you have to work with them, the more you work and experiment the better accuracy you'll get. Like I said it took me awhile and a lot of shooting and cleaning to figure out my rifle.
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sharps59
Member
Compression is not needed. I us 39 of 2ffg in mine. ragged hole at 50 yrds. 100 yrds 2-4" groups are doable. I use Charlie Hanns tubes now lot easier and faster the rolling my own. back fits flush w breach so no cutting and loss of powder.
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