Shiloh or C Sharps

[Angus in Wyoming]

Hello all. I am planning on getting an 1874 Sharps. I am looking at Shiloh and C Sharps. The price seems to be the same to me or at least very close. Most of the guys I shoot with have Shiloh Sharps. I can't think of anybody that has a C Sharps except for a couple of their high walls. What do you think? I know both are great. I should mention that I will be getting 45-70, shooting cast boolits, and usually be shooting smokeless powder. I shoot mostly buffalo gong shoots as there are many of them in my area. Thanks for the help.

[runnin lead]

Angus
I don't have a Shilo but do have a C. Sharps & a Pedersoli both 74's
I am very pleased with both . last month with my 45 70 C. Sharps I shot a 4shot
group of under 6" maybe under 5 ''at 500m 547 yds iron sights prone off of cross sticks BP load

scroll down from this thread to thread titled interesting group

Jim

[freedom475]

Just get yourself a Sharps!!! I have found that winners have one thing in common.....They Win! Doesn't seem to matter what they are shooting. So any C-Sharps, Shiloh, or even Pedersoli will do...just as long as you are out there sending big bullets, your smile will be a "Perma-Grin"

[kodiak1]

Angus I got a couple of boyh and there isn't a thing wrong with eiyher of them.
One shoots as good as the other. Take your pick and buy one I guarantee you that you will be very happy with it.

Ken.

[Don McDowell]

The last rifle I bought was a C Sharps, next time it's Shilo's turn.
If you're in a hurry to get your rifle then go with CSA, if waiting a while is ok then order the Shiloh (or see if they have anything available).

[Mygila]

Angus,
Either rifle will do. Mine , however is a Pedersoli with 10K plus rounds through it. Go over to BPCR and click pictures. Scroll down to Mygila's Pictures. The group is 4.5" wide & 4" high. at 500 meters. The bullet is a PGT @ 545 gr. over 68 gr.Goex 2F, starline brass & WLR primers. Bullet was seated to touch rifling. I wanted a Shiloh for years but couldn't come with the scratch. Bought the Ped 74 in June 1999 and never looked back. I've since learned that Pedersoli barrels are the equal of any out there. Mygila

[NickSS]

Well I have all 3 (Shilho, C Sharps and Pedersoli) 1874. My latest one is a C Sharps I bought a year ago off the Shelf at their show room. Between the Shiloh and the C Sharps I can only say the the only difference is what Shiloh calls semi fancy wood C Sharps calls extra fancy wood. As for the mechanics and accuracy of them there is nothing to choose between them. The Pedersolis I have have excellent fit and finish for a factory rifle but the color case hardening seams a little thin to me and the wood to metal fit is just a tad looser than the big Timber Rifles. Accuracy wise their is nothing to choose between all three. I personally use my pedersolis for conditions where the rifle my experience a lot of abuse or bad weather. I would not feel as bad dinging one of them up like I would with my other sharps rifles.

[Bullshop]

Another differance I think is that C Sharps owns the copy right on the "old reliable" barrel stamping. Not important but I like seing it there just like origonal C. Sharps rifles.
BIC/BS

[Gellot Wilde]

That's easy to answer....buy a Ballard.

Sorry, couldn't resist that.....a buddy of mine just took delivery of a new C. Sharps 1874 and it really is a loverly looking, great shooting rifle. The last Shiloh I saw was a little rough looking, particulary the finish on the wood....have they stopped using grain sealer in Montanna?

Personally I think they both make great rifles, but would like to have C. Sharps on the receiver purley because of the historical link.

[montana_charlie]

....have they stopped using grain sealer in Montanna?

You have to buy one of the 'optional' higher-grade finishes to get wood that doesn't look like it came from Montomery Ward. But, that 'standard' finish (to my mind) looks just right on a Quigley model.
CM

[mazo kid]

I don't have any C. Sharps but do have Shilohs and Pedersolis. Both of those makers shoot equally well. I HAD a Shiloh several years ago that had the "Old Reliable" stamping on the barrel, but CSA made them stop using it. I sold that rifle to a buddy who rebarreled it; I now have that barrel and am looking for something to put it on.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Good luck on a ballard!

They don't make em anymore, left Cody Wy and are making Highwalls in DGR Calibers.

The Lunger

[EDK]

Shiloh rifles are a good choice. Not only a good rifle, good customer service and a web site with advice and support...and opinions and arguments!...that you'll enjoy.

C. Sharps makes some good guns, but lack the enthusiastic supporters and web site that Shiloh enjoys. They were for sale...had been listed for a long time in Cowboy Chronicle.

I visited both in 2003. Asked to look at a rifle at Shiloh and was told "walk around the counter and look at everything in the rack...and if you don't see what you want, we'll make it for you!" Looked over the guns...excellent...and went across the street to C. Sharps. They didn't even have the lights on in the showroom and didn't turn them on either! Got in the car, headed down the street and made a U-turn into Shiloh's parking lot. Asked Miss Ellen to get out a pencil and I'd like a ball cap too!

I bought a belt buckle and some other small items in 2006 at Shiloh and headed out. Then went back in and got another buckle and paid cash. I over paid by $1 and Heather Bryan like to broke her neck running out to the car to give me the $1 as I was leaving. Since the rifle purchase, I doubt that I've spent over $200 on a trip to Shiloh, but every time I go in I am greeted warmly and sincerely.

Your experience may vary, but the people at Shiloh are a big reason for their success in my opinion. All other things equal, my business goes to people I like; people who support the sport they supply and participate in.

[SharpsShooter]

I'd buy a C before an S any day. Lotsa different reasons, but the biggest one is their barrels. S does not have the quality barrel that C does.

My 2 centavos


SS

[Gellot Wilde]

Good luck on a ballard!

They don't make em anymore, left Cody Wy and are making Highwalls in DGR Calibers.

http://www.ballardarms.com/


No, they still make 'em...am I missing something on this?

[Bullshop]

These targets were fired from a C. Sharps mod 74 in 50/90.
All accept the upper right were at 100 yards. The upper right was at 220 yards.
BIC/BS

[Gellot Wilde]

That's working well then...always nice to see some good targets...the proof of the pudding so to speak.

Good stuff indeed!

[Angus in Wyoming]

Thank you all for your suggestions. It looks like I need to buy a Shiloh and a C Sharps. I am going to a couple gun shows in the next few weeks, so I will look at those. If I don't find one I guess I will drive to Big Timber and make a decision. Thanks again.

[Angus in Wyoming]

Just kidding, I will only buy one or the other. I'll let you know what I get. Angus

[appleseedgunsmith]

hello,
anyone ever think of rebarreling an 1874 to 20 ga slug? i dont think that 12 ga would fit , even if it did the barrel would be pretty thin. a thick 20 ga sluggun would be awesome for deer hunting here in ohio, and with modern hyper-accurate slug ammunition you could actually use a vernier sight and extend your range a few hundred yards.