4570guy
07-02-2017, 04:04 PM
I purchased a new Pedersoli Sharps in 45-70 back in February and have been enjoying experimenting with it. I thought I'd share my results so far. The rifle has a long range Creedmoor tang sight and front globe sight.
I'd read that the Pedersoli rifles with 1:18 twist barrels tended to like the longer heavier bullets better. I have indeed found that to be the case. I've tried 340 (Lee), 350 Hornady, 405 (Lee), 420, 480 and 535 (Lyman) bullets. Interestingly, anything over 400 grains has shot well. I've had very good luck with the 405 Lee over 24-24.5 gr of SR-4759 and the 535 gr Lyman Postell over 26 gr of 4759. Both loads give about 1350-1375 fps with single digit standard deviations and both printed 2" 3-shot groups at 100 yards. I've yet to try black powder but that is on my to do list. I also need to take the preferred loads out and try 5-shot groups to truly nail down the statistical accuracy.
I have found the 340 grain Lee bullet to group around 3.5" and the Hornady about the same at 3+". Not spectacular but good enough to hunt with.
In reading prior folk's experience with these rifles I had learned that best accuracy was achieved with velocities under 1400 fps. I agree. The sweet spot for my rifle seems to be around 1350.
So far, all of my cast bullet experiments with the 405 and 535 bullets have been with wheel weights and Lyman lube. Bullets were unsized and measured .4585 as dropped from the mould.
I am very happy with this rifle so far. A replica Sharps was on my want list for a long time. I'd drooled over the Shiloh and C Sharps rifles for some time but couldn't see myself spending that much. The pedersoli has been a good fit for my budget and given it's performance so far, a winner.
I'd read that the Pedersoli rifles with 1:18 twist barrels tended to like the longer heavier bullets better. I have indeed found that to be the case. I've tried 340 (Lee), 350 Hornady, 405 (Lee), 420, 480 and 535 (Lyman) bullets. Interestingly, anything over 400 grains has shot well. I've had very good luck with the 405 Lee over 24-24.5 gr of SR-4759 and the 535 gr Lyman Postell over 26 gr of 4759. Both loads give about 1350-1375 fps with single digit standard deviations and both printed 2" 3-shot groups at 100 yards. I've yet to try black powder but that is on my to do list. I also need to take the preferred loads out and try 5-shot groups to truly nail down the statistical accuracy.
I have found the 340 grain Lee bullet to group around 3.5" and the Hornady about the same at 3+". Not spectacular but good enough to hunt with.
In reading prior folk's experience with these rifles I had learned that best accuracy was achieved with velocities under 1400 fps. I agree. The sweet spot for my rifle seems to be around 1350.
So far, all of my cast bullet experiments with the 405 and 535 bullets have been with wheel weights and Lyman lube. Bullets were unsized and measured .4585 as dropped from the mould.
I am very happy with this rifle so far. A replica Sharps was on my want list for a long time. I'd drooled over the Shiloh and C Sharps rifles for some time but couldn't see myself spending that much. The pedersoli has been a good fit for my budget and given it's performance so far, a winner.