50 Sharps

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I ran into some cartridge cases today labeled "50 Sharps" and "Eldorado". They were in a "for sale" bin but unmarked. Are these the same as 50-140?





They also had a bunch of 44 Colt cases that I had never seen before. I assume these take a heeled bullet like the 41 Colt, 38 Colt, and 32 Colt do.

I was in to pickup an 8lb cannister of 5744 but I was fascinated by some of the brass I'd never seen before.

[Galloway]

If they're 3 1/4 they are, nice find!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

If he has them next week, after this weekend's gun show, I might offer him $3 a piece for them. I have no idea what they're worth ... but they are really huge.

He also had an unopened 3lb tin of a powder called Alcan No. 7 on the shelf for $50. I don't see Alcan in any of my newer books but given the age of the tin (mid 60's maybe), I may try and dig up an old Speer manual and see if it's in there.

[Bill in Oregon]

Pretty sure I used AL-7 for loading 16-gauge paper shells in the old Lee Loader, circa 1970-ish.

[marlinman93]

Either .50-140 or .50 basic, depending on length.
Eldorado was based in Boulder City, Nevada and did custom cases, and custom loaded ammo for people. When I bought my Freund Sharps it came with a bunch of Eldorado custom loaded ammo that was scary hot loads! A 678 grain paper patched bullet with H4198 that had a velocity marked on the boxes of 1650 fps!! I shivered just thinking about touching one off and seeing myself on my backside with a broken shoulder! So I spent hours pulling bullets and dumping powder, then reloading with 450 gr. bullets and a BP charge of Swiss 1 1/2 at 120 grains with two thick wads to reduce the kick.
If you can buy them at $3 a case it's a great buy! For people needing these long cases a price of $4-$5 a case is a deal even.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Thanks for the info Val. If I can get them cheap, I'll post them up here on the classifieds for what I paid so that they hopefully go to someone here on the board. I can't see myself ever using them.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool!

[High Desert Hunter]

There was gent on one of the Sharps forums I follow was looking for some 50 3 1/4" brass, I'll keep an eye out for your post.

Dave

[marlinman93]

I ran across some more .50-140 I still have here after I thought I sent all of it with the Sharps when I sold it? I'll probably bring them to Greeley in May and sell them there where there are more single shot guys who might want some.

[EdinCT]

I used Alcan 7 For 1 1/4 oz 12 ga when I was in high school. I would buy it if the can wasn't rusty.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I used Alcan 7 For 1 1/4 oz 12 ga when I was in high school. I would buy it if the can wasn't rusty.

The can actually looks pretty good. I don't think there was any rust on it. It was, if anything, dusty.

[LeverGunner]

Interesting find. Everything thing big bore is hard to find right now it seems. My buddy has been waiting for 2 years for Starline to make 50-110 brass. He has 19 pieces that are getting worn out. He shoots his 1886 a lot.

[Crazy Horse]

That's one of those shells you would just like to have in your pocket so you can take it out and look at it.

[44shooter]

The 44 Colt was developed for cartridge conversions of the Colt 1860 and intended to take heeled bullets. However the brass can be loaded with the now standard .429 bullets and be fired in 44 specials and magnum. The case is a bit shorter than a 44 special and has a smaller rim.
It could make good plinking loads

That big fifty case is impressive
The powder sounds like a deal