Pedersoli 1874 Sharps 45-70 opinions and experience

[barnabus]

Hey Guys!
im considering buying a sharps from pedersoli.its there target model that dixie gunworks sells for $1100.00 which is about my pain level since this is my first.i have no interest in a Shiloh way out of my price range. thoughts and experience on quality and accuracy? I have a buffalo classic that ill will be selling to help fund the project.

[Chill Wills]

Good barrels
Sights - not so much.

[big bore 99]

I have one and love it. I also have a Buffalo Classic and love that one too.

[Blackwater]

I have only seen and handled one, and it was beautiful, and very smooth in operation. Didn't get to shoot it, but all I've read from folks I trust, tends to indicate Chill has it right, but even then, you may need better, true "match grade" sights if you plan to shoot competition. If not, the stock sights would probably keep you entertained pretty well. I've seen some guys do some very nice shooting with less than match grade sights. Mostly, they just learned the "feel" of them so that they got good repeatability via the "tactile" method, rather than fine and very precise machining. I feel sure if you've never had a sharps or a BPCR "Buffalo Rifle," that you have one heck of a lot of fun in store for you with it! Just know loading for ctg. BPCR is not akin to either muzzleloading OR smokeless reloading. It is its own pursuit, and though it's simpler, really, most start out very confused, because of what they've learned in smokeless shooting.

One tip up front, just in case you weren't aware, be SURE (VERY sure!) you ONLY use BP compatible lubes, and NOT those designed for smokeless. Emmert's is a good one, and I use it in my Browning BPCR, but I use a bit of lanolin in my mix. It's easy to make, and very reliable. In my gun, I got better results than I did with SPG, but that can vary from gun to gun. The GOOD news is that learning what YOUR gun wants requires a good bit of shooting and methodical testing with real black, if you decide to do that (and you'll be really missing out if you don't). Just know that if you shoot real black, to get ALL of the smokeless lube out before shooting black, because using smokeless lubes with black will leave some VERY hard to remove fouling in your barrel. Also, note that with black, cleaning your barrel is easy. I use Murphy's Oil Soap, the dilute version in the spray bottle (more convenient). One or two patches with that when you're through shooting, followed by clean dry patches, and you'll find it's no problem to keep it from rusting your nice, pristine bore. It's the fired ctg. cases you need to worry about. Have a pail or bottle of water when you shoot, and drop them into that. It dilutes and breaks up the fouling. Might turn some black if they lay in the fouling that falls to the bottom of the bottle, but that won't harm them. BP fouling is as much or more corrosive on those brass cases as it is in bores if not cleaned out.

You obviously already know casting and smokeless reloading or you wouldn't be here. Only thing there I'd add is that in my and some others' experiences, Those big, heavy slugs tend to shoot best with a plain lead/tin alloy with no antimony. I used mostly the Saeco #745 with 1:30 tin/lead mix, and going to that eliminated the voids I got in the bases of almost all the bullets I cast with a WW alloy, even mixed with softer lead. But some seem to do well with WW alloy. Just something to know, and maybe try if the WW alloy doesn't work out for you.

Those old "buffalo rifles" can be VERY accurate, and can show it at LOOOONNNNNGGGGG ranges, too. But they depend on very good bullets. The ones I cast of WW's with the voids in the bases wouldn't group in a #2 washtub at 100! So just be aware of that going into it. If you use smokeless, I doubt your groups will be much better if your bullets have voids in the bases, so just keep it in mind just in case you run across that. Many just stop and say "These old rifles were never as accurate as they said. Those old timers must'a lied!" And often they sell the rifle, when the next guy that gets it may well win matches with the gun, and GOOD BULLETS. I think good bullets are more critical in these guns than they are in most other types of firearms, but I could probably get a lot of countering on that view.

Just enjoy it if you get it. They kick some with those metal or hard butt plates, and long shooting sessions get to some, but if you keep shooting, and being sure you get the butt on your shoulder well, that will likely pass, too. And when you can hit better way on out there than the guy next to you with his .300 magnum ..... well, let's say you'll swager to your car at the end of the session, rather than just walk. You may hear "who was that masked man" as you drive away, too! ;-)

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I presently own 5 Pedersoli Sharps and cannot fault any of them. Excellent barrels coupled to the correct size boolit will be very accurate.

50/90, 50/70, 45/90, 45/70 and 40/65
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Picture001-2.jpg
(http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/Picture001-2.jpg.html)

Benchrested 100yd group with my 45/70
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/erics_rifle_target_1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/erics_rifle_target_1.jpg.html)

[NSB]

I owned three of them. I had one of the lower priced ones, around eleven hundred, and one of their best ones that sold for a lot more. I had one in between. All shot the same regardless of price. Each one was capable of 1moa with the right load. As stated above, the sights aren't great. In fact, Pedersoli's target sights aren't all that good. Get the gun and then invest on a decent set of sights. Sights are going to run at least six or seven hundred for a set worthy of target/competition shooting. If you're getting it just for fun and some hunting, you can get away with a set of sights from MVA for maybe half of that that are more than adequate. They are well made guns and the barrels are as good as anybody's barrels including Shiloh.

[1Hawkeye]

I owned one a while back.the only reason I got rid of it was because I found a Shiloh #1 for less than I paid for the pedersoli. It was a well built and accurate rifle but the wood was a little heavy. I put a pedersoli mid range sight on the back and a lee shaver spirit level sight on the front. One other thing is that it wasn't fussy about what bullet weight you used.

[Bent Ramrod]

I have a Cabela's Creedmoor version that the previous owner rechambered to .45-100. It's always shot very well for me.

Sighting depends on what you want to do with the rifle. There is a contingent of shooters who have taken off the fancy tang sights and shoot with the ladder barrel sight, out to considerable ranges with astonishing accuracy. (They don't, to my knowledge, compete in silhouette or long range target matches this way.) The Pedersoli sights, if you get them, will only be troublesome if you plan on competing with the rifle in these disciplines. You can find an absolute setting for a given range for fun shooting with indifferent sights, but changing settings back and forth and getting first-shot hits requires sights of the best quality.

You can get top quality used sights at fairly decent discounts, if you keep an eye on the For Sale sections here and on the ASSRA site. Lots of good shots whose eyes are dimming with age are going to scopes and selling their iron sights.

[country gent]

I have a Cabellas pedeersoli long range model in 45-70 34" half round barrel double set triggers globe front ( I upgraded to a wind gage front globe with spirit level. And a long range soule rear from pedersoli. The soule is nice and is more "useable" as it has better wind gage adjustments at the base. This rifle loaded with BP and a 535 postell is very accurate. At 13 1/2 lbs its also easy on the recoil with these loads. It has decent wood on it and nice finish. While not a C Sharps or Shiloh in the wood, fit and or finish it also not $2500.00 -$4000.00 and a long wait time either. They are very good rifles for the money. Depending on barrel length you may need a special case for it. Mine with the 34" barrel barely fits into a double rifle case cross corner. Keep in mind these rifles are addictive and multiply pretty quick.

[6.5 mike]

I have the hunter model Cabela's sold, good shooter, Seems to like pp'ed best.

[Boz330]

I also have the hunter model with a Distant Thunder rear sight. First load I tried was 68gr of Old Eynsford under a Postel and shot that out to 1000yd with good results. We have a 1200yd match here in the fall and it struggle there but going to 73gr fixed that. I caught my hunter model on sale at Cabela's and jumped on it. The day I went in they had a discount for 1st res-ponders and vets and got another $165 knocked off. Used my Cabela's CC points and ended up with $477 in a rifle that I'm really really happy with.

Bob

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Although not considered a 'target' round the 50/70 is a hoot to shoot as this 100yd group shows. I must admit to enjoying shooting big holes in paper!

It is interesting that Pedersoli have chosen to drop certain calibres 50/90, 50/70 and 40/65 making good examples into 'çollector' pieces

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/5070targetA.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/5070targetA.jpg.html)

[sharps4590]

I don't know anything about the Pedersoli's but I've been shooting Sharps rifles since 1986. Back then my first Shiloh was $830 and took 8 months. I don't believe Pedersoli even made one at that time. Anyway, as one poster mentioned...it is addictive and BPC rifles do seem to multiply. If you like the Sharps and have a bit of a historical, romantic streak in you I do believe you're in for one heck of a lot of fun....and....they are exceedingly accurate if loaded correctly. Everyone who said that is dead on.

[John Boy]

thoughts and experience on quality and accuracy? Have 2 Pedersoli Sharps: one is the Creedmoor and the other is the Target model. Close to a 1000 BP reloads down the bores with no broken parts. If needed order from VTI Gun Parts...
* Fit to finish is not a Shiloh but is very good including wood - case coloring and blueing.
* Pedersoli vernier not a MVA - Shaver - Baldwin or Distant Thunder. Choice to replace is yours
* All Pedersoli Sharps barrels a match grade. Couple of examples with vernier & globe front sights:
100 yds - 25 shots ...
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/Targets/LymanPostell100Yds.jpg
(http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/Targets/LymanPostell100Yds.jpg.html)
1000 Yards - bullet splashes in a 10 inch center on steel gong with a couple of near misses
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/Ridgway%20Oct%202008/PDRM3577.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/Ridgway%20Oct%202008/PDRM3577.jpg.html)

[Boz330]

The higher end Pedersoli's have some pretty wood and fit and finish but my hunter model has a sand blast finish on the metal and plain wood but shoots better than me.

Bob

[Toymaker]

A set of Heilman sights and you'll be having so much fun you won't know what to do with yourself.

[KCSO]

My friend has a Shiloh and his son in law bought a Pedersoli as he didn't have the scratch. Long story short first outing at 300 yards the son in law posted the best target.

[flint45]

Very good barrels,very good rifle overall C.Sharps and Shilo are better finished but do not shoot that much better I have shot them all.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

My 50/90 Pedersoli "Boss Gun" has some very nice wood and color case hardening.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/5090cch.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/5090cch.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Picture747.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/Picture747.jpg.html)

[Jim_P]

My Pedersoli is also a great shooter. Lots of fun and pretty to boot.

186301

[barnabus]

thanks for all the great responses.i have considered the pedersoli target model sold by dixie gunworks,does anyone have one of those?

[MT Chambers]

I'd wait until I could land a U.S. made Sharps from either Shiloh or C. Sharps, even used.

[barnabus]

thanks for all the great responses.i have considered the pedersoli target model sold by dixie gunworks,does anyone have one of those?

[barnabus]

I'd wait until I could land a U.S. made Sharps from either Shiloh or C. Sharps, even used.

well if your buying Id be glad to wait.

[rfd]

i've had Many pedersoli sharps (and rollers) and have had the one yer looking to buy (fitted with lee shaver tang/globe sights) ...

http://i.imgur.com/T8eQt8H.jpg

... it has an OTR barrel and it's well worth the $1100, as are most of these kinds of pedersoli rifles. the barrel sights are just ok for plinking/hunting. any that come with tang/globe sights should be upgraded for real target work - i recommend the lee shaver super set for under $500. as stated, vti has the parts if needed. good luck and enjoy!



http://i.imgur.com/Jj81jCG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mEqHp5s.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eMWdsqz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SLIVjrK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ILQqYfY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2Z97xZY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CiMkd81.jpg

[country gent]

A good rear tang sight is like a good target scope. Once these rifles start to multiply the sight can be used on all of them with just the base to buy. Keep a book and make note of the setting for a given rifle and the ranges, youll be surprised how close they are when moved from one rifle to another and reset to the correct setting. I don't change the front globes due to wear o the dovetails but I do swap tang sights and malcomb scopes around. A check in my book the correct zeros set and its good to go.

[Boz330]

If the rifle you are talking about is the 34" barreled pistol grip model weighing in at about 12lbs, my buddy had one that was scary accurate with his reloads and BP. MOA groups were the norm with it. He set a club record about 10 years ago on hanging silhouettes at 600yrd with it that hasn't even been approached let alone beaten. And there are several of the US named brand high dollar rifles on the line. Let me mention that my buddy (RIP) was also one hell of a marksman and gun crank though.

Bob

[rfd]

the OP is considering this pedersoli '74 sharps, 32" OTR barrel, 9.5#, $1100 @ DGW, best value in a sharps imho ...

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/images/CR1235.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ILQqYfY.jpg

[Boz330]

For target or silhouette I would prefer the pistol grip stock, just a little more comfortable. For hunting I like the straight grip stock. The one my buddy had was like the 3rd pic down or the bottom pic in post 25.

Bob

[rfd]

i also prefer the pistol grip on a sharps or roller. they can be added with a reasonable effort.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~codi/PGrip/PistolGrip.jpg