Info about Sharps rifles
- Thread starter thx997303
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DavidVanVorous
Member
Might check out "Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the old West" by Mike Venturino, does a decent job of describing the more common BPCR rifles and the subtleties of same.
I happen to own both an original 1879 rolling block and a Shiloh Sharps. The rolling block is easier to load but IMO the Sharps action is the more "robust" of the 2.
D.
I happen to own both an original 1879 rolling block and a Shiloh Sharps. The rolling block is easier to load but IMO the Sharps action is the more "robust" of the 2.
D.
Voodoochile
Member
1859, 1863 models are loaded with a linen wrapped conical bullet & powder case where the 1874 & newer models were metalic cartridge models.
All using Black Powder as the source of propellent.
All using Black Powder as the source of propellent.
thx997303,
I am new to Sharps rifles. I just obtained a 1874 Pedersoli. It was a used gun and affordable. Some of the makers are here in the U.S, ~ Shiloh, C.Sharps, and others...A new gun from one of these makers can take from 1 to 3 years to receive.
I will post a link to a forum discussion about my trying to find a 45/90 load. One gent that responded is a amazing source of Sharps info and provided over 10 links to great sites loaded resources....
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=32556
Good luck, they are beautiful guns...
Giz
I am new to Sharps rifles. I just obtained a 1874 Pedersoli. It was a used gun and affordable. Some of the makers are here in the U.S, ~ Shiloh, C.Sharps, and others...A new gun from one of these makers can take from 1 to 3 years to receive.
I will post a link to a forum discussion about my trying to find a 45/90 load. One gent that responded is a amazing source of Sharps info and provided over 10 links to great sites loaded resources....
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=32556
Good luck, they are beautiful guns...
Giz
Last edited:
WV SCROUNGER
Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
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- 55
Link
Gizz....I cant get the link to open...???
Gizz....I cant get the link to open...???
highlander 5
Member
I purchased my Shiloh Sharps not long after "Quigley Down Under" took 3 years to get it and was worth the wait. Got the Long Range Express heavy barrel in 45/70 and have since added an RHO telescopic sight. I have seen The Pedersoli and they look nice but can't comment beyond that. Last time I spoke with the Shiloh folks if you want something "generic" the wait shouldn't be to long just hold on to your chest when you see the prices,though they do give the original owner a lifetime warranty. Right now I think my rifle is somewhere in the $1700 range and the scope is another $850. According to the Shiloh folks their parts will fit in the original Sharps rifles.
DavidVanVorous
Member
http://www.shilohrifle.com/
A link to Shiloh, that can get the price thing figured out. Mine is a #3 with the heavy barrel in .45-70 and ran ~$2300 after FET etc. Took 18 mo to get.
and
http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/index.php
A link to the forums fer any other Qs one might have needing to be answered.
D.
A link to Shiloh, that can get the price thing figured out. Mine is a #3 with the heavy barrel in .45-70 and ran ~$2300 after FET etc. Took 18 mo to get.
and
http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/index.php
A link to the forums fer any other Qs one might have needing to be answered.
D.
I've only shot one Shiloh and the quality is definitely there. I will also say that there are no quality issues with my Pedersoli. I have shot one other Pedersoli and felt that it was a great representation, and extremely accurate...
Now to shoot a C.Sharps...LOL...
Giz
Now to shoot a C.Sharps...LOL...
Giz
alemonkey
Member
I absolutely love my Pedersoli 1874 so I can't recommend one of them enough. Fit and finish isn't as nice as a Shiloh or C. Sharps but it shoots just as well.
You can pick up the lower end "Business Rifle" for a little over a grand brand new. It won't be fancy but it will shoot very well:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produc...=3469&osCsid=199f337fe5ac3f6685996d0c4ad370e9
If you can track down a good used one that might be the best way to go. Whatever you buy, definitely spring for a good vernier tang sight. With one of those you can shoot as accurate as most scoped rifles out to several hundred yards.
Edit: Another thing you definitely want is double set triggers. Having the ability to set the front trigger down to a couple ounces makes a huge difference in accuracy.
You can pick up the lower end "Business Rifle" for a little over a grand brand new. It won't be fancy but it will shoot very well:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produc...=3469&osCsid=199f337fe5ac3f6685996d0c4ad370e9
If you can track down a good used one that might be the best way to go. Whatever you buy, definitely spring for a good vernier tang sight. With one of those you can shoot as accurate as most scoped rifles out to several hundred yards.
Edit: Another thing you definitely want is double set triggers. Having the ability to set the front trigger down to a couple ounces makes a huge difference in accuracy.
DavidVanVorous
Member
Probably the easiest to do is the .45-70 as reloading components are easy to find pretty much everywhere and not terribly out of line iffen one uses something like the Black Dawge or 10X cartridges $ wise (about $22-24/20).
D.
Go with the brass cartridges for now. Paper is a bit intimidating at first, and a bit more work. I have a pal with two of them, and he promises to teach me how to "roll my own" some day...
Agree with the 45/70 recommendation, less recoil and easy to get brass....
Be prepared to have lots of folks ask questions and want to handle your gun ~ every trip to the range....
Giz
Agree with the 45/70 recommendation, less recoil and easy to get brass....
Be prepared to have lots of folks ask questions and want to handle your gun ~ every trip to the range....
Giz
sharps59
Member
thx
paper or cart. It depends on the game you play. or your interest.
I shoot a 59 and 63 in N_SSA so it has to be paper rounds. easy way to go w/ these are tubes by charlie hahn. If you like long range shooting. I would go w/ the cart guns to start.
on a nother not If you shoot cart you will need reloading equipment
w/ the 63, 59 just a powder scale. If you want to cast your own then that equipment too.:banghead:
paper or cart. It depends on the game you play. or your interest.
I shoot a 59 and 63 in N_SSA so it has to be paper rounds. easy way to go w/ these are tubes by charlie hahn. If you like long range shooting. I would go w/ the cart guns to start.
on a nother not If you shoot cart you will need reloading equipment
w/ the 63, 59 just a powder scale. If you want to cast your own then that equipment too.:banghead:
True,,,
I believe there are four ways to load the paper style gun, if you want to get into it. Ball and stick, then a paper filled with powder, the ability to just stick a ball and add powder directly, front loaded like a muzzleloader, and the first choice - paper cartridge...
My next Pedersoli is on order, and I will be rolling my own...
Giz
I believe there are four ways to load the paper style gun, if you want to get into it. Ball and stick, then a paper filled with powder, the ability to just stick a ball and add powder directly, front loaded like a muzzleloader, and the first choice - paper cartridge...
My next Pedersoli is on order, and I will be rolling my own...
Giz
tiger rag
Member
My next rifle will be a 59 or 63 I love those things
I know I'll be casting my own for sure. I even made my own powder recently. Worked great in my 1851 Navy.
I guess I would need a new mold. Anybody have a suggestion for a good mold for these?
And what kind of alloy would you suggest for them? Would clip on wheel weights work?
I guess I would need a new mold. Anybody have a suggestion for a good mold for these?
And what kind of alloy would you suggest for them? Would clip on wheel weights work?
alemonkey
Member
I use a Lyman 457125. A lot of guys say not to use wheel weights, but they work ok for me.
I heard that using wheel weights was bad for muzzle loaders because they difficult to load, but wouldn't damage the rifling in any way, and I have spoken with other people who use wheel weights all the time in their muzzle loaders.
The reason I wonder though, is at the velocities that the Sharps would fire the projectile, would you need the harder alloy? Or would the soft lead still be better?
What do you shoot alemonkey?
The reason I wonder though, is at the velocities that the Sharps would fire the projectile, would you need the harder alloy? Or would the soft lead still be better?
What do you shoot alemonkey?
English Bob
Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2007
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1:20 Tin - Lead mix is considered the norm, even 1:30.
I use a 1:20 mix with the Lyman 457125 mould and it works superbly in both my 1874 Pedersoli Sharps and my 1875 Ballard R&C. Both rifles are in 45-90 which I find has been a good choice for paper-punching.
I use a 1:20 mix with the Lyman 457125 mould and it works superbly in both my 1874 Pedersoli Sharps and my 1875 Ballard R&C. Both rifles are in 45-90 which I find has been a good choice for paper-punching.
highlander 5
Member
I can guaranty about people wanting to "fondle" your Sharps.
When I had iron sights on my rifle my buddy,who is a much better shot than I,could hit objects about the size of a nickel out to 75 yds or so. I cast 300,400,500 and a 520 gr bullet for my rifles. use a 50/50 mix of ww and linotype. the molds for the 400,500 and 520 use no gas checks ,the 300 is RCBS and uses a gas check. My buddy has a 78 Browning and he and I will go to the range and bounce 5 gallon bucket all over hell and earth.
When I had iron sights on my rifle my buddy,who is a much better shot than I,could hit objects about the size of a nickel out to 75 yds or so. I cast 300,400,500 and a 520 gr bullet for my rifles. use a 50/50 mix of ww and linotype. the molds for the 400,500 and 520 use no gas checks ,the 300 is RCBS and uses a gas check. My buddy has a 78 Browning and he and I will go to the range and bounce 5 gallon bucket all over hell and earth.
highlander 5
Member
I'd love to post a pic but I'm not that computer savvy.
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