Another question on which Sharps to buy-Shiloh or C-Sharps?

[EDG]

Smoked
I only arrived at those comments by owning both rifles at the same time. If you ever get to Texas you are welcome to shoot my rifles. I am sure if you find a local shooter with both, he would be glad to let you try them. By firing both at the same time you will be able to contrast the two designs.

[Clinebo]

Everyone should own at least 1 Sharps in his/her lifetime...... be it Shiloh or C. Sharps. Both are excellent, well made rifles from the same street in Big Timber MT. You can stop at one....and drive a couple of blocks and be at the other. People come from all over to attend the Quigley Shoot in eastern MT. Got any vacation time coming up?? You can see them all in action. Good luck with your decision.

[DeadWoodDan]

Sorry to high jack the thread This is great info. as I had stumbled on the Quigley site/shoot a few yrs ago and it sparked my interest in a Springfield TD i had sitting never shot by me. I have finally puchased the last component to start casting/loading this summer. A modern .45-70 has been on my to purchase list since reading about the Quigley match, always thought i would just shoot the TD if i could make it a decent shooter.

Will look at the Browning or Winchester BPCR maybe I can make this happen sooner than i thought. I really like the thought of hitting targets out to 800yds

DWD

[gmsharps]

I have had a desire to own a Sharps 74 for many years and in 93 I was able to take delivery of a 45-70 caliber rifle that had been ordered 5 years prior and the person that had ordered it had a chance at a dream gun of his and he could wait another 5 years for the Sharps. It was mighty close to what I would have ordered any way. It shoots great and I have never been happer with a rifle. When the Browning BPCR's came out I was one of the first to get one off the line (my backup rifle) and I opted to get a 40-65. That rifle shoots better than I can with the provided sites and some day if I can ever get to be a better shot than the gun thenI may change to a better set of sites. My suggestion is to try and attend a BPCR shoot and ask questions and look at the fantastic guns there and after the match someone will probably let you shoot some and then make your choice. You never know you might come across a decent deal there also.

gmsharps

[Don McDowell]

Sorry to high jack the thread This is great info. as I had stumbled on the Quigley site/shoot a few yrs ago and it sparked my interest in a Springfield TD i had sitting never shot by me. I have finally puchased the last component to start casting/loading this summer. A modern .45-70 has been on my to purchase list since reading about the Quigley match, always thought i would just shoot the TD if i could make it a decent shooter.

Will look at the Browning or Winchester BPCR maybe I can make this happen sooner than i thought. I really like the thought of hitting targets out to 800yds

DWD

DWD, just be aware that if you take your trapdoor to the Quigley, the new rules this year say that any original rifle must be inspected by a gunsmith, and only be loaded with blackpowder ammunition. Also if you are in or near Deadwood, you may want to run south on 385 the first weekend in May to Alliance Ne for the big shoot there, they have a trapdoor class.

[DeadWoodDan]

I wish i lived in the Dakotas, spent some time there with my Uncle who still resides somewhere North of Mithchelle S.D. thanks for the heads up on the new rules. i followed the mishap last year. I wish i had someone in Central IL to take both rifles in for inspection. I have talked to the closest gunsmiths in the area and neither have experience or would confirm safe to shoot. After some advice from other trapdoor shooters looks like i'm going to do the old tie it to a tire for first firing and proofing of loads.

[Don McDowell]

You might not want to proof load those old rifles. But certainly shoot normal loads in them. You might also contact those guys at Forsyth, there are a couple of them that could probably ok your guns at the shoot.

[Roundball]

Got lucky getting a Pedersoli "Billy Dixon" and a C. Sharps 1874 that came from an estate. Went broke on this deal but I'm only this way once. The C. Sharps is a superb rifle. The Pedersoli is in 45-90 and the C. Sharps is a 45-110. Both rifles are accurate. Things get complicated finding cartridge cases. I can keep an original 1885 running in 45-70 with no problem with Starline brass etc. The other cases are on back-order. Going with 45-70 may be the path of least resistance.

[oldred]

Wow, two Sharps and an 1885 in calibers 45/70, 45/90 and 45/110! It just don't git no better than that!

[Roundball]

Been accumulating these single shots over the years with the Sharps being the most recent. I was toast after shooting the first BP loads in the 45-110. It's great to be on a learning curve after retirement. All this has to do with being at the right place at the right time-also known as luck. It's good to be on the green side of the grass. Hope all works out well on your search for the Sharps. Keep in mind that all this can be highly addictive.

[smoked turkey]

I am still looking. I think I have broadened my search to include a highwall as well as a Sharps. I like the looks of both. It was suggested, and I agree with it, to try and get some hands on experience with each. In that way I can be more sure of my decision. Meanwhile perhaps I'll "get lucky" and find a good one at a good price. In that event that will help make up my mind. I do think that since 45-70 is more popular, I am leaning that way, but I have not ruled out any of the 45 calibers whether 90, or 120.

[oldred]

I think I have broadened my search to include a highwall

I would suggest trying both the original and the very different newer Winchester/Browning version for comparison if you can, the originals have that nostalgic 1800's simplicity and style in a strong and reliable design while newer ones seem to have much more in common with modern day single shots sharing only a vague outward appearance and little else, either would be an excellent choice.

[SchuetzenMiester]

HiWalls have the edge in strength for sure. The also have the edge as a target rifle; no big heaving hammer falling on the side of the action. HiWall hammer falls in the center of the action. Browning BPCR with a Badger barrel for the factory and fairly good sights was the best buy in BPCRs.

[John in PA]

About Shiloh 1874 action strength: I was friends with Wolf Droege from back in the Farmingdale, NY days. I was visiting at the factory early on when Wolf was just bringing out the 1874's. He showed me one that had been sent to HP White Laboratories for pressure testing. The gun handled all normal modern factory pressures including magnum rifle pressures. He told HP White to keep going till the gun blew up. At 200,000 psi, the receiver ring egged (stretched), releasing the barrel out the front. There was no fracture of metal or shrapnel, only stretching of the receiver ring. I saw and handled the receiver I'm talking about. Assuming the same alloys and casting procedures are still being used by the Bryans, strength is not an issue on the Shilohs. (The early breechblocks had a large firing pin diameter. That WAS an issue, as primers could fail, sending gas out the vent in the bottom of the breechblock. This was remedied with smaller firing pins in relatively early production (maybe within the first couple years(???) I replaced the block assemblies in my early ones for the new firing pin variation.

[Clinebo]

I thought some of you might like this article. Quite a man. : )
http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and...88abf9bbe.html