I've wanted a sharps for as long as I could remember, but I never broke down and got one...until now.
It's a pedersoli 1874 sharps imported by Navy Arms, with double set triggers and 28" Heavy (with a capital H) octagonal barrel chambered in 45/70.
I'm thinking about trying out the 700 yard silhouette (funny word to spell) matches that the River Bend gun club puts on. Eventually I'd like to go to 1000 yards. The question is, will 45/70 get me there, or do I need to have it reamed out to something like 45/90 or 45/110? Some say 45/70 wins matches. Others say it's iffy past 500. I haven't bought any dies or brass yet.
I've been reading up here and on the bpcr.net forums. Here's what I'm getting so far. You guys tell me if I'm way off base:
-GG bullets are out in the 45/70. In order to get enough black powder in the case to get the velocities required, I'll need to use soft bullets patched to bore diameter and seated long. That is unless this rifle turns out to have freebore, in which case I'd be better off reaming it to a longer cartridge to get rid of that, as it does more harm than good.
-a cupped base bullet with a twisted tail will be best for a bore dia. pp because it will upset more readily.
Am I on the right track, or am I way off? Do I have enough barrel at 28"?