Load DataMidSouth Shooters SupplyWidenersInline Fabrication
Titan ReloadingRepackboxLee PrecisionRotoMetals2
Reloading Everything
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: What caliber is this??

  1. #1
    Boolit Master





    Idaho45guy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Idaho/Washington border
    Posts
    2,655

    What caliber is this??

    The only BPCR rifle left in my dad's collection that I acquired. Obviously a .50 cal, but confused by the rest of it...

    Attachment 314526

    The company is no longer in business as far as I can tell...

    Attachment 314527

    Seems to be a nice Sharps reproduction rifle...

    Attachment 314528
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  2. #2
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    516
    Hello Idaho45guy,

    Just a guess, a 50 caliber with a 2.5" long case.

    AntiqueSledMan.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Near Enterprise Landing
    Posts
    1,182
    A 50-90 has a 2.5 inch case.
    Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
    My amendment can beat up your amendment.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hell Gap Wy
    Posts
    6,094
    It’s a 50-90
    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Randy Bohannon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Buffalo WY
    Posts
    919
    Nice rifle.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master 15meter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    SE Michigan
    Posts
    2,509
    But 2/10 is 1/5 reduced to it's lowest common denominator as all fractions should be, you don't say 4/16.

    And a fifth of an inch, if I'm doing the arithmetic in my head right comes out at a dead even .200".

    My 50-70's measure 1.750, oddball custom?

    50-80?

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy challenger_i's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Windy West Texas, between the rocks, and the trees.
    Posts
    485
    5/10ths is "Olde Speak" for half an inch. The numerical expression is correct for the period the cartridge design comes from. Rather nice touch by the rifle builder, I would say.
    As has been stated, the chamber is for a 2 1/2" cartridge, and by today's nomenclature it would be a "50-90" caliber.
    Rights, and Privileges, are not synonymous. We have the Right to Bear Arms. As soon as the Government mandates firearm registration, and permiting, then that Right becomes a Privilege, and may be taken away at our Master's discretion.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master





    Idaho45guy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Idaho/Washington border
    Posts
    2,655
    Thank you!
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Southern Arizona
    Posts
    4,284
    The cartridge was the "Big Fifty" Sharps of legend.

    Your rifle looks to be a very well-made replica of the 1877 Sharps. I think it was also known as the "English Model." It was lightened up in the action and lock plate to allow more weight in the barrel for target shooting under the Creedmoor rules. The rifle couldn't weigh more than 10 lb; the trigger pull couldn't be lighter than 3 lb.

    Some were made with set triggers (which disqualified them for that particular contest, but obviously the customers didn't care), and a lot of Shiloh replicas have them now as well.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master 15meter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    SE Michigan
    Posts
    2,509
    And apparently I'm getting dislexic in my old age, I read it as 2 and 2/10......geezerville ain't for the faint of heart.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    3,702
    Quote Originally Posted by Bent Ramrod View Post
    The cartridge was the "Big Fifty" Sharps of legend.

    Your rifle looks to be a very well-made replica of the 1877 Sharps. I think it was also known as the "English Model." It was lightened up in the action and lock plate to allow more weight in the barrel for target shooting under the Creedmoor rules. The rifle couldn't weigh more than 10 lb; the trigger pull couldn't be lighter than 3 lb.

    Some were made with set triggers (which disqualified them for that particular contest, but obviously the customers didn't care), and a lot of Shiloh replicas have them now as well.
    I have a Marcheno sharps that a previous owner converted to that style hammer - cut it out of a block of steel . looks kinda neat .

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    N. CA
    Posts
    45
    I’ve been using one of John’s rifles for nearly 20 years. It’s a.45-2 7/8 SS with a 28” barrel and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It’s my go to hunting rifle good for 350 yards easy.

    John told me that a guy used one of his rifles in 50-2 1/2” to take an elephant. Any chance it’s your rifle?

  13. #13
    Boolit Master





    Idaho45guy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Idaho/Washington border
    Posts
    2,655
    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelR View Post
    I’ve been using one of John’s rifles for nearly 20 years. It’s a.45-2 7/8 SS with a 28” barrel and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It’s my go to hunting rifle good for 350 yards easy.

    John told me that a guy used one of his rifles in 50-2 1/2” to take an elephant. Any chance it’s your rifle?
    It could be! I know he took an elephant with one of his Sharps and used a solid brass boolit. I remember him telling me that he shot it head on at 30 yards and the round went through the entire skull and down the spine. He got an amazing 30"+ of penetration.
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    N. CA
    Posts
    45
    That sounds like the story John related to me.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Southernmost State of the Union
    Posts
    5,854
    Similar to how my Shiloh Sharps 1874 carbine is marked.

    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    MPLS
    Posts
    1,486
    Get some Creo-safe and make a chamber cast, then you can be sure ??

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Gillette Wyoming
    Posts
    970
    50-90 Axtell 1877 Sharps.

    KW

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check