Single Shot C Sharps education request

[J Miller]

rjohns94 is making his incredibly generous offer on the C. Sharps Arms, 1875 in 45-70.
{ viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32251 }

As someone who can count on one hand the number of 45-70 rounds he's fired with fingers left over, can those of you who are experienced with rifles like this give those of us who are not a basic course?

Questions I have:

When you work the action of the 1875, what is the proper procedure? Do you put the hammer on half cock before you open the action?

What brass do you recommend?

What load would be the best for a general standard level load?
Smokeless Powder
Bullet
Primer

For long range?
Powder
Bullet
Primer

How do you prepare your cases?
What dies do you recommend?
GC or PB bullets?
Bullet Lube?

Any suggestions on loading manuals that would help with this?
That's the kind of information I'd like to have.

This C. Sharps 1875 is one rifle I have never even held. "IF" I were fortunate enough to receive it, I would be starting off really cold. And I don't think I'm alone.

Joe

[Don McDowell]

here's the best place to go for answers.
http://www.csharpsarms.com/1875_rifle.php

[Chas.]

This book isn't about sharps specifically but about the .45-70 - Forty Years With The .45-70 by Paul A. Matthews. You can read it pretty quick, but you'll probably keep it for a reference.

Starting out, you can reload .45-70 pretty much like any other pistol shell, just differences in powder and charge. And you do have to lube the cases prior to sizing. As you become more familiar, you may want to venture into cast, paper patched, BP, etc. But for starters, just slug the barrel, order cast bullets .001 larger than groove, load em w/24gr. A2400 powder to 2.55 OAL and shoot.

Unfortunately, I have never seen any carbide sizing dies. That might eliminate lubing the cases.

[longarm4146]

my "everyday plinkin load for 45-70 is 25 grs 5744 with a 405 cast bullet. As for cocking, I'd advise that you do move hammer to half-cock before lowerering breech block so that it doesn't drag on firing pin. C.Sharps manufactures a really nice product and you're buying from a respected levergunner.

[Batman1939]

Joe--I'm overwhelmed by your optimism !!! Good luck in the draw, but I wouldn't likely start reloading for it yet.

[J Miller]

Joe--I'm overwhelmed by your optimism !!! Good luck in the draw, but I wouldn't likely start reloading for it yet.

Batman,
I'm honestly not being that optimistic. It's just information for me because although I'm an experienced hand loader, I've never had anything to do with big bore straight walled black powder rounds. I can't be the only one, so I thought maybe my curiosity might help others as well.

But if I do get it ...... woooo hoooo .......

Joe