Replica Pedersoli rifles or Authentic/Original rifles?

[Domonlord]

Looking to buy some nice 45/70 single shot rifles or going even further back to a Brown Bess or a 1861 Springfield. Came across some really impressive Pedersoli rifles at a gun show recently, but I was also surprised to see that for some guns like Springfield Trapdoors, the price of the originals is right about the same as the Pedersoli guns.

I know I still have to decide between Trapdoor, Rolling Block, Sharps, High Wall Winchester, etc. but what are your thoughts on going with a modern reproduction or hunting down an original? It'd be easy to decide if I was only in it for collecting, but I do enjoy shooting my guns quite a bit.

 

[CraigC]

For shooting, it's going to be tough to be the replica. The Pedersoli guns in particular are very well made and of modern steels. Really depends heavily on whether you want one that looks over 100yrs old because it is, or one that looked like it would if you had a time machine and went back and bought a new one.

 

[Speedo66]

I had an original Trapdoor will a decent bore in 45-70 that shot just fine. I used normal commercial loads which are loaded to be used in original Trapdoors.

An original rifle will not exhibit the same fine bluing, case colors, or shiny stock as a replica, if that's what you want. But if you wish to possess an actual piece of history that may have been used on the western frontier or climbed San Juan Hill, there's only one way to go.

You just have to decide what you want.

 

[.308 Norma]

what are your thoughts on going with a modern reproduction or hunting down an original?

Well Domonlord, my thoughts on the subject are just that - mine. Personally, I buy guns to use. Therefore, for fear of ruining the collector's value of an original Sharps, Brown Bess, 1861 Springfield or whatever by shooting it, I'd buy reproductions if available. In fact I have - I bought a .45-110, Shiloh Sharps that's a lot of fun to load for and shoot.
But that's me. It seems like something you'll have to decide for yourself.

 

[MAKster]

Are you willing to hand load ammo? Originals of the rifles you listed were designed to shoot blackpowder and cannot handle smokeless ammo.

 

[.308 Norma]

Are you willing to hand load ammo? Originals of the rifles you listed were designed to shoot blackpowder and cannot handle smokeless ammo.

That's a good point MAKster. And I'll add - handloading black powder rifle cartridges is quite different from handloading smokeless powder rifle cartridges. It's different even if you choose to use a black powder substitute such as Pyrodex.

 

[Speedo66]

Are you willing to hand load ammo? Originals of the rifles you listed were designed to shoot blackpowder and cannot handle smokeless ammo.

Regular commercial smokeless ammo is used in original Trapdoors.. They load that ammo at a pressure level to work in original Trapdoors. There is, of course, stronger ammo to use in Rugers, etc.

While the original ammo was black powder, original Trapdoors seem to work just fine with smokeless loaded to their level. Same for original Winchester '73's which, while originally designed to use black powder, work fine with smokeless cartridges loaded to their pressure level.

There are people who say use black powder only, but there are just as many people who are fine with smokeless. Not looking to start a urinating contest, but that's just the way it is.

 

[Don McDowell]

Looking to buy some nice 45/70 single shot rifles or going even further back to a Brown Bess or a 1861 Springfield. Came across some really impressive Pedersoli rifles at a gun show recently, but I was also surprised to see that for some guns like Springfield Trapdoors, the price of the originals is right about the same as the Pedersoli guns.

I know I still have to decide between Trapdoor, Rolling Block, Sharps, High Wall Winchester, etc. but what are your thoughts on going with a modern reproduction or hunting down an original? It'd be easy to decide if I was only in it for collecting, but I do enjoy shooting my guns quite a bit.

Orignal rifles , with the exception of the occasional Trapdoor, or Rolling block, in shootable condition will cost you as much if not several times more what a new rifle will, especially Sharps and Hepburns. Do your shopping carefully, the best of the modern 1874 sharps rifles come from Shiloh. C Sharps makes a very good 1885 winchester, in both highwall and lowalls.
If you do end up with an original cartridge rifle there is plenty of data out there using smokeless powders that will give safe pressures in the 45-70. The other popular cartridge of the day the 44-77 doesn't adapt well to smokeless. Loading blackpowder is as simple as filling the case to the base of the bullet, thumb a .030 card wad, then seat the bullet lubed with a good bpc bullet lube. Cleaning the rifle is easy when done shooting, Simply blow a few breaths down each end of the barrel run a couple of dry flannel patches thru on a jag, follow with a couple of damp patches and then a dry, if that last dry patch shows signs of leading or carbon fouling, then you will need to use a good solvent. Dry the bore and oil it with an oily patch when your done.
The worst part is cleaning the cases.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Looking to buy some nice 45/70 single shot rifles or going even further back to a Brown Bess or a 1861 Springfield. Came across some really impressive Pedersoli rifles at a gun show recently, but I was also surprised to see that for some guns like Springfield Trapdoors, the price of the originals is right about the same as the Pedersoli guns.

I know I still have to decide between Trapdoor, Rolling Block, Sharps, High Wall Winchester, etc. but what are your thoughts on going with a modern reproduction or hunting down an original? It'd be easy to decide if I was only in it for collecting, but I do enjoy shooting my guns quite a bit.

Well a brown bess or a 45-70? That's quite a range.
I can tell you my 50-90 Sharps is the coolest gun I own.

 

[Jim Watson]

Trapdoor and Rolling Block are unusual that you can get a shootable original at a copy price. Most other originals in good condition are expensive. Not that I don't enjoy shooting my Winchester Single Shot, but it is a late period rifle and considerably advanced over, say, a Sharps.

 

[eastbank]

i have quite a few old rifles from the blackpowder to the smokless powder era and have used both powders in them, but due to the effects of blackpowder on cases and the internals of the firearms when they don,t get cleaned well enough. blow back in the actions require that they be taken down to git it clean, i have gone to smokless in the proper loads and i don,t try to make magnums out of them. a large chunk of lead going at a modest speed kills very well. i only use black powder when required in my black powder match rifles. eastbank.