NickSS
05-08-2008, 04:49 AM
I just acquired in a trade an 1885 high wall made by C. Sharps of Big Timber Montana. The rifle was in new condition and did not appear to have been fired when I traded it from a guy who also got it in a trade. I took it to the range to test fire it and found that the fired cases stuck in the chamber. Careful examination of the cases and the chamber showed that the chamber was reamed below minimum specs and was way too tight.
I called up C. Sharps and they said to send them the rifle. I sent it to them and when I got it back about a week and a half later the chamber was fixed. I took it to the range yesterday and fired some of the same ammo I tried in it the first time. This ammo is RP 45-70 shells sized to fit the 40-65 chamber of my rifle. They were loaded with 55 gr of GOEX FFG. a milk carton wad and a 300 gr RCBS CSA bullet and a Winchester LRP. It took me several shots to get centered on target. I then wipped the bore and proceeded to shoot a 10 shot group. I was firing at 100 yards off a barrel rest. The first group went into 2 inches. I was pleased with this first group but felt I could do better as 7 of the 10 shots were in one ragged hole and the other 3 opened the group up. So I talked to myself and bore down with my shooting for the second group and ended up with a 1.25 in center to center group all in the X ring of a 25 yard pistol target at 100 yards. It was one of the tightest groups I have ever fired with iron sights. I am really pleased with my new toy and it just might end up being my primary silhouette rifle.
I called up C. Sharps and they said to send them the rifle. I sent it to them and when I got it back about a week and a half later the chamber was fixed. I took it to the range yesterday and fired some of the same ammo I tried in it the first time. This ammo is RP 45-70 shells sized to fit the 40-65 chamber of my rifle. They were loaded with 55 gr of GOEX FFG. a milk carton wad and a 300 gr RCBS CSA bullet and a Winchester LRP. It took me several shots to get centered on target. I then wipped the bore and proceeded to shoot a 10 shot group. I was firing at 100 yards off a barrel rest. The first group went into 2 inches. I was pleased with this first group but felt I could do better as 7 of the 10 shots were in one ragged hole and the other 3 opened the group up. So I talked to myself and bore down with my shooting for the second group and ended up with a 1.25 in center to center group all in the X ring of a 25 yard pistol target at 100 yards. It was one of the tightest groups I have ever fired with iron sights. I am really pleased with my new toy and it just might end up being my primary silhouette rifle.