Pedersoli Pressure

[HEAD0001]

I posted on a BP thread about a smokeless load for the Pedersoli Sharp's. I load 40.0 grains of RL7 with a 405 grain Lyman cast bullet. I thought this was a fairly mild load(1600 fps). Loading data shows it up to 1800fps. How much pressure do you guy's think I am generating?? Should I drop my load down??

One fellow on the other post said that Pedersoli does not recommend smokeless loads. My rifle does not say BP only on it??

I am not looking to start any argument's, but I am seeking opinions. I shoot my rifle alot. And I want to continue shooting it, SAFELY.

And by the way I did get a nice big doe with my rifle this year. I would like to brag and say it was a 500 yard running shot, but it wasn't. It was a 50 yard broadside shot(standing still). Tom.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/HEAD0001/IMG_0311.jpg

[pa_guns]

Hi

What's the rifle chambered in?

Bob

[HEAD0001]

Sorry, 45-70. I sure do want to stay with my RL7. I just bought 2-five# cannisters. Tom.

[pa_guns]

Hi

The Lyman manual lists 35 to 37 grains of Reloader 7 behind the 405 for the original Springfield. That covers a pressure range of 13,900 to 16,000 psi. For the 1886's they show a top end of 46 grains and a pressure of 27,100 psi. The low end load for the 1886 is 41 grains and it generates 20,500 pounds. They clocked that round at 17,700 (... that should be 1,770 fps) out of a 24 inch barrel.

The SAAMI max pressure for the 45-70 is 28,000. That's a good long ways away from anything your 40 grains should be producing. If the rifle is not safe at SAAMI pressures it should be clearly marked as such.

Best bet - you are safe.

Is the rifle set up to live long and prosper with high energy loads - probably not.

Bob

[Red River Rick]

pa guns:



They clocked that round at 17,700 out of a 24 inch barrel.

WOW! That's a pretty fast moving projectile. I'm hoping that's a typo error.

RRR

[pa_guns]

Hi

It's the 1874 rail gun ... :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Sorry about that.

Bob

[KCSO]

Navy Arms at one time thought their R/B and Sharps actions were as strong or stronger then the 1886 rifles. If you have a Pedersoli that has the small firing pin and the dovetail plate behind it the gun will handle any load you can stand. BUT If the gun has the large friing pin or has the drop in plate or no blast plate at all the gun is only good for B/P or trapdoor loads, not because the action is weak, but rather that in case of a bad primer or a weak case or lose primer pocket, you could catch gas and debris in your eye.

[Red River Rick]

pa guns:

I'm just :kidding:. All in fun.


RRR

[T-Bird]

I bought a 45/70 Pedersoli 1874 Sharps from Cabela's in the '90s, sometime before they had so many different models. In the owners manual they recommend only factory loaded ammo that does not exceed 25000cup. I just looked it up.Mine, however, has never seen a factory load. Shoot Straight, T-Bird

[pa_guns]

pa guns:

I'm just :kidding:. All in fun.


RRR

Hi

But it *really is* a 1874 rail gun :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Bob

[Limey]

Season's Greetings Gentlemen,

I have just bought a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps repro and had the same concerns about safe pressures when using smokeless loads....so I wrote to the Pedersoli factory in Italy and aked them, this is the relevent section of their reply in an e-mail sent to me dated 23-11-07:

Quote

Our .45-70 caliber rifles are rated to shoot factory made smokeless ammunition not exceeding 2000 Bar or 29,000 P.S.I, as stated by the C.I.P. (the International Pressure Committee)

Un-Quote

Hope this helps and put's your mind at ease, enjoy shooting your rifle.

Safe shooting

[Jjed]

Limey
Cool post, just was wondering what is hunting like in France. What kind of game and are there many shooters and/or ranges to shoot in France.
Thanks
Jim