What caliber?

[Freightman]

Wife said I would be able to order a new Shiloh, I already have a 45/70 was thinking 40/65 or 405, just for target shooting not hunting. What do you think? Also what is the wait time up to now?

[chief3]

My favorite is 38-55 but I don't shoot much over 200 yds.

['74 sharps]

I shoot 45-70's, but think that a 38-55 would be a very nice caliber as less recoil and less powder & lead would be a fine advantage. Did notice on Starline's site that there are two case lengths available for that caliber, 2.082" and 2.122".

[Don McDowell]

What sort of target shooting? Short to midrange the 40-65 offers the easiest route with component availability. The 405 can be accurate but there's only one choice for cases, and not a lot of bullet selection. Long range stay with the 45-70 or go with one of the longer cases, or get wild and twist off into the world of 44's.

[Lead pot]

I don't keep it a secret, I favor the .44 for target. Bottle necked .44-77, .44-90 (2-5/8) bn or the .44 straight.
This round is a remington or ballard design, not a Sharps, but this round in a sharps with the right ROT in the hands of a shooter with good eyes and the ability to handle a rifle and not afraight to spend a little time making brass for this load is this .44/100 st.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/Kurtalt/th_IMG_1027-1.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/Kurtalt/media/IMG_1027-1.jpg.html)

[Patman]

I finally got my letter from Shiloh stating that my #1 sporter is in the next production lot. 18 months since I put that order in. The final countdown begins!

[Kenny Wasserburger]

The best all around target round based on usage would be a 45-90. Having said that I think for pure long range stuff the 45-100 or a 44-100 are better examples. My own favorite is the 45-2 7/8ths.
The lunger

[Freightman]

I will not be shooting over three hundred yds. I like to shoot but not a big competitor as old age and injuries prevent me from traveling much. Thanks for the replies and still need to call Lucinda and see what the wait time is.

[hickstick_10]

a 40-50 would be nice, if you go the bottleneck route you can use your old 45-70 brass when the odd one splits at the mouth.

[Don McDowell]

I will not be shooting over three hundred yds. I like to shoot but not a big competitor as old age and injuries prevent me from traveling much. Thanks for the replies and still need to call Lucinda and see what the wait time is.
40-65 is probably the way to go.
Be sure and ask what she has on the rack..

[Boz330]

I like the 40-65, but then I have 3 of them. Nothing wrong with the 45-70 though, I have a couple of those as well. The 40-65 recoil is pretty low and your powder and lead doesn't disappear quite as fast.

Bob

[Bad Ass Wallace]

40/70 Sharps straight!

[Freightman]

Thanks for the answers will let you know when I am able to order.

[Baja_Traveler]

I just picked up a nice Shilo 45-70 to replace my Pedersolli Creedmore (that just was not cutting it at longer ranges with that thinner whippy barrel). After I shoot up the remaining loads in the Pedersolli and size the brass for the Shilo I'll be retiring it for a rebarrel to 40-65. I think the 40-65 is a nice low recoil option for shorter ranges.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Freightman, don't let all these wayward sinners lead you astray. Go with the 40-65. You won't be sorry. The Shiloh is too big an action for the little 38-55. Boy that aught to bring 'em out of the wood work and clear the benches.

[Don McDowell]

38-55 is to small for a 74 sharps action, more suited to something like the 77, or one of the east coast pimp's parlor guns i.e. Ballard or hiwall...

[DW475]

I ordered 2 sharps rifles from Shilo back in December of 2011 and received both this past fall. About a 20 month wait but well worth it!

[.22-10-45]

I like the .40 calibers. If your shooting is limited to 300yds. Either the little .40-50 straight or B.n. or either of the .40-70's...
2 1/2" straight or 2 1/4" B.N. would serve you well. It's just me, but if I am going to the expense of a quality Sharps rifle, I would at least like it in an authentic Sharps caliber.

[kokomokid]

We shot last weekend with wind 40mph gust to 49 at the local weather station. I shot a 26 and shooting partner shot a 30. I was blown off one ram by a couple inches and he got all 10. They told us our 40-65s would not shoot in the wind at this range? We do sometimes ring a ram when the wind is from behind them but so do the 45-70s. LB

[bigted]

another for the 40-65! this is a recent addition to my collection and in a sporting remington roller. very nice and i enjoy the process in making my cases from 45-70 cases.

i do not yet shoot for ultra long range and plan to hunt with mine so the low recoil and 400 grain boolits will do everything i plan to do. going to move back to the world this spring so maybe will get the chance to shoot at some of those new fangled match's and hunt some elk meat as well as mouth watering black tailed deer and whitetails so am gearing my mind to a lower need for horse power. may just re-barrel my hartford to something less then the 120 chamber.

your position is enviable to say the least. never so much fun as to choosing the model, style, chamber, extras for a new rifle of a custom build. good luck and i will look forward to seeing your selection. keep us posted.