Chiappa primed cartridge Sharps are good for trap door loads with "smokeless black powder" (Pyrodex, etc), or with real smokeless powder such as AA5744. This means no Lever gun or Ruger #1 loads. The old Lyman #49 & Cast Bullet manuals clearly identify these three levels of loading for the .45-70 cartridge.
From the Chiappa Sharps 1874 pamphlet ...
All our guns are tested in the Armi Sport facility. To guarantee the gun is safe, it is sent to the National
Proof House of Gardone Val Trompia – BRESCIA – ITALY - for proof testing.
The Proof House tests the firearm with heavy loads then checks the barrel, chamber and headspace to
make certain the firearm is safe for use with standard factory ammunition.
The National Proof House will put their markings on the gun, according to the Italian law, certifying the
gun is qualified and can be sold.
As to reloaded cartridges, we wish to point out that the Sharps rifle has been designed and manufactured for use
with black powder and similar (Pyrodex) only. As far as the loading is concerned, we suggest to use a loading
manual from specialized companies (for instance RCBS, Lyman, etc)
A NOTE ABOUT HISTORICAL FIREARM DESIGNS
Armi Sport proudly manufactures finely crafted replica
firearms reproducing famous historical weapons. These
firearms are manufactured using leading edge machinery
and high quality modern materials. They are faithful
reproductions of firearms originally designed in the
nineteenth century; therefore, if you choose to own or use
historical firearms you should be aware that, along the
one hundred or more years past, there have been
significant advances in firearms design and safety. Armi
Sport manufactures these guns not as state of the art
firearms, but as historically significant firearms for the
collector. It is vital that the user be familiar with his
firearm and possible safety risks that may be present in
the design. Most significantly, the user should realize that
the designs of safeties - or even the presence of adequate
safeties - vary significantly on historical designs and do
not offer the protection against accidental discharge that
modern firearms safeties achieve.
Similarly, any firearm that is designed to be fired using
black powder (or Pyrodex) has basic risks not found in
modern cartridge firearms. Black powder is a dangerous
explosive and has to be used and handled with extreme
caution. The slightest miscalculation or carelessness with
black powder firearms can result in serious injuries to the
user