1874 Sharps - Load suggestions?
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- Old Savage
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1874 Sharps - Load suggestions?
I'll revisit this later when the site works but in the mean time, here are some pics of friend Curtis's newest Shiloh Sharps. He dropped it by my office and left it with me for a few weeks to shoot as he wouldn't be using it until next month. It is a custom with some interesting features such as the patch box, saddle ring and latch for the lever and upgrade wood. It has beautiful color case hardening and is a wonderful example of the gun maker's art. One range session so far. It seemingly doesn't get on too well with the 365 Lee and for the traditionalists - refuses to shoot the 325 Leverevolution. Approximately 8" groups with either. I believe some here have said they do better with the heavier bullets. It has a 24" barrel and is very handy. What an interesting rifle to shoot. I can see how guys get hooked. Enjoy.
- Old Savage
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- Griff
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I really like AA5744. I use a RCBS .45-325-FN-U in my Browning 1886. I've been down below 2moa. However, I think the Shiloh will have a faster twist and will like a heavier bullet better. I'd call Shiloh and ask them what twist they're using in their .45 cal rifles these days and what weight bullet they recommend. I seem to think that when I was there 10 days ago, they said 1-16 for the .40 cals, and just don't remember what they were using in the .45s. I found that mine was made in '87 and has a 1-20 per the original .40-90SBN.
The .45-70 is a really easy cartridge to load for, and while each rifle will differ, my Browning likes a moderate crimp. Check out Accurate Powder reloading data. IMO, I'd recommend staying at the low end of the recommended loadings for whatever bullet weight you choose. It appears that you have a fairly short barrel, similar to ScottT's and may not gain either velocity or accuracy by increasing your charges. And regardless of the fact that you're using the same cartridge, and similar bullets, even with similar barrel lengths, the design of the action will have an impact on your velocity and accuracy. The very tight lockup of the Shiloh 1874, IMO provide a better basis for better accuracy, yet the attachment point of the forend can have a negative impact on same. The profile of the barrel, crispness of the sights, and just how you hang onto the rifle all affect the acheiveable accuracy.
The .45-70 is a really easy cartridge to load for, and while each rifle will differ, my Browning likes a moderate crimp. Check out Accurate Powder reloading data. IMO, I'd recommend staying at the low end of the recommended loadings for whatever bullet weight you choose. It appears that you have a fairly short barrel, similar to ScottT's and may not gain either velocity or accuracy by increasing your charges. And regardless of the fact that you're using the same cartridge, and similar bullets, even with similar barrel lengths, the design of the action will have an impact on your velocity and accuracy. The very tight lockup of the Shiloh 1874, IMO provide a better basis for better accuracy, yet the attachment point of the forend can have a negative impact on same. The profile of the barrel, crispness of the sights, and just how you hang onto the rifle all affect the acheiveable accuracy.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
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GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- Old Savage
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Rusty, Shiloh Sharps in Big Timber, Mt. What a lovely rifle.
Hobie - probably just send them the dough. This one was about $2300 I believe. I handles very well and that little lever latch is natural underneath the middle finger.
Thanks Griff, I certainly can't claim any degree of proven skill with this rifle though it looks as if the sights were pretty much right on when I touched it off each time and I didn't call any out. I think maybe it didn't do well with the light bullets. I shot a 1/2" group with my 30-30 and a 1 7/8" group with the Marlin 45-70 and Leverevolution so beer induced oscilation or the like wasn't particularly an issue. Seems to me ScottT worked through a few loads to get those nice groups. These had no particular pattern - just weren't together.
Hobie - probably just send them the dough. This one was about $2300 I believe. I handles very well and that little lever latch is natural underneath the middle finger.
Thanks Griff, I certainly can't claim any degree of proven skill with this rifle though it looks as if the sights were pretty much right on when I touched it off each time and I didn't call any out. I think maybe it didn't do well with the light bullets. I shot a 1/2" group with my 30-30 and a 1 7/8" group with the Marlin 45-70 and Leverevolution so beer induced oscilation or the like wasn't particularly an issue. Seems to me ScottT worked through a few loads to get those nice groups. These had no particular pattern - just weren't together.
Last edited by Old Savage on Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Old Savage
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- Old Savage
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Bruce, the wood is standard grade but apparently there is an option to have them select the best of that. It might not be listed as an option. This is Curtis's third of these and he always seems to get some custom combination of options that he discusses with them. I guess they will do almost anything you ask.
- Old Savage
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- Griff
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I believe the option is in the finishing of the wood. You can get hand rubbed tung oil finish and extra coats of tung oil. Really makes any grade of wood shine.Old Savage wrote:Bruce, the wood is standard grade but apparently there is an option to have them select the best of that. It might not be listed as an option. This is Curtis's third of these and he always seems to get some custom combination of options that he discusses with them. I guess they will do almost anything you ask.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!