[Paul Workman]

FOR YEARS....I've had a hankering to own a Shiloh Sharps in 32 or 34", 45-XXX fixed with a vernier tang rear sight and a globe front sight, and double set triggers. I may be "thinning the heard" (in my safe) in the near future to mitigate the cost (at least) as well as unload some stuff I no longer have interest in.

That said, I'm curious to know if any of youz shot the Sharps and what do you think of it, far as a viable competition piece? (I think it would be a blast, for example, to shoot it at the BBB!).

Thoughts???

Paul.

 

[was skruske]

I have an 1874 Sharps made by Pedersoli in good ol' 45-70. It is imposing in appearance and that fat cartridge is somewhat intimidating.

First time shooters are reluctant to try it. I give careful instruction on trigger function because quite simply it is set so fine you don't get a chance to flinch.

I nicknamed the rifle Big Smile because that is what everyone gets when they shoot it, even JR. Recoil is on par with a 20ga.

Douglas & I shot it out to 1300yds in Wyoming with moderate success.

 

[Paul Workman]

I have an 1874 Sharps made by Pedersoli in good ol' 45-70. It is imposing in appearance and that fat cartridge is somewhat intimidating.

First time shooters are reluctant to try it. I give careful instruction on trigger function because quite simply it is set so fine you don't get a chance to flinch.

I nicknamed the rifle Big Smile because that is what everyone gets when they shoot it, even JR. Recoil is on par with a 20ga.

Douglas & I shot it out to 1300yds in Wyoming with moderate success.

How is that Pedersoli in terms of fit and finish? I'm only familiar with the Shiloh's.

Is it a custom order or an "off the shelf" piece?

45-70: Does it shoot smokeless (i.e., modern 45-70 ammo?

And, if you don't mind my asking, what did it cost and how long did you have to wait for delivery??

Thanks in advance!

Paul.

 

[Trapper6L]

Brother has one in 45-70. I think it has a 34" barrel. He was trying to buy a 45-120 but Bill Carter of Carter Country in Houston talked him out of it. Bill claimed the 45-70 was by far the more accurate round. Since we've never had a 45-120 or a 45-110, we have no hands on experience to substantiate the claim. Brothers rifle has double set triggers. It is a Pedersoli made rifle and it was not an off the shelf rifle at that time. Seems like it was about a 6 months wait for it. Fit and finish are near perfection. No idea as to the cost as it was a gift for cleaning up hogs on Bills ranch at Laredo but as I recall, at the time the rifles were selling for about $3500.00 for his particular model. It came with a Creedemore Long Range tang sight too. He's had the rifle probably 15 years now or more. Yes, it shoots modern 45-70 loads. He normally uses the Winchester ammo. He bought a case of 300 gr HPs, and a case of 300 gr Silvertips(muzzle velocity 1880'ps per Winchester). He dropped a 450lb hog at about 500 yds with it so far. It's an incredible rifle if shooting long range is the goal. I don't recall ever handloading for this rifle but I have for the arm load of old Winchesters he does have. For those, 12.0 grs of Unique under a 405 lead is the load that approximates the original loading.

 

[damonkeydobad]

orginal

I have a original Sharps 1869 sporting in 44-77 passed down in my family(Native American)I have used it to take Elk.Black Bear,Whitetail it is one of my favorite rifles in black powder.

 

[Dave H]

Other than having my doors welded shut by various Sharps shooters in CAS side matches, which was not that hard to do, them Sharps guys sure had F U N. Recall most were Pedersoli and my impression was sights could get spendy.

Class guys didn't snicker at us Marlin 45-70 guys.

Best.

 

[df]

1874

I have two Shiloh sharps. One is a 45/70, the other a 50/70.
With the 45, I’ve shot a couple antelope and an elk. I shoot 405 grain gas checked bullets and RL-7 powder.
In the 50, I shoot 425 lead and RL-7 powder. I shot one large pig with it.
I have a beech front sight on both an tang vernier rear on both.
Both are 30” barrels, the 45 is a medium weight the 50 heavier. Both barrels are half round half octagon.These days I don’t shoot them much and never did any formal target shooting or competition. Actually I suppose the 45 has 250 rounds through it, the 50 half that.
I have a place where I can shoot at a metal buffalo full size silhouette. That at 300-500 yards and occaisonal shooting at paper is about it these days.
I got up graded wood on both.
They are very well made, accurate and beautiful rifles.
Not sure the wait time to have one built these days, mine were a year or so.
A fellow named Bill Goodman has some in stock and being built most of the time.
That might be a faster source to get a shiloh, if that’s what you decide to get.
Good luck with what ever you decide to buy.

 

[Paul Workman]

I have two Shiloh sharps. One is a 45/70, the other a 50/70.
With the 45, I’ve shot a couple antelope and an elk. I shoot 405 grain gas checked bullets and RL-7 powder.
In the 50, I shoot 425 lead and RL-7 powder. I shot one large pig with it.
I have a beech front sight on both an tang vernier rear on both.
Both are 30” barrels, the 45 is a medium weight the 50 heavier. Both barrels are half round half octagon.These days I don’t shoot them much and never did any formal target shooting or competition. Actually I suppose the 45 has 250 rounds through it, the 50 half that.
I have a place where I can shoot at a metal buffalo full size silhouette. That at 300-500 yards and occaisonal shooting at paper is about it these days.
I got up graded wood on both.
They are very well made, accurate and beautiful rifles.
Not sure the wait time to have one built these days, mine were a year or so.
A fellow named Bill Goodman has some in stock and being built most of the time.
That might be a faster source to get a shiloh, if that’s what you decide to get.
Good luck with what ever you decide to buy.

Very informative. Thanks you (and all) for contributing your experiences - both with the Shiloh and the "Pets".

Q: I handload practically everything, and I have some peep sights on a couple 22s. With peep sights in mind what might I expect from the 45-70s? I owned a Marlin 1894 before I gave it to my bro to hunt pigs with in TX. From what I've read, smokeless 45-70 seems to get high marks for accuracy. And, being a single shot, I'd be able to play with "pointy" bullets. (Thinking out loud, I wonder if Shiloh would use a customer-provided reamer? )

 

[TinMan]

Paul, don't know if it the same Bill Goodman, but there is a gun show promoter by that name that does a lot of shows in Ohio, specifically Dayton and Cincinnati areas that I have been to.

I don't have a Sharps, but I went the other way. I have always liked the 1885 High Walls, and wound up getting one of the Browning BPCRs in 45-70 many years ago. I do use smokeless powders, typically AA5744. May have to try the RL-7 that df suggested, as I really it like in my 221FBs. Look for tang sites, not just peeps. You will need the long range elevation for the 45-70 trajectory. Go rent the movie "Quigley Down Under."

 

[Paul Workman]

Paul, don't know if it the same Bill Goodman, but there is a gun show promoter by that name that does a lot of shows in Ohio, specifically Dayton and Cincinnati areas that I have been to.

I don't have a Sharps, but I went the other way. I have always liked the 1885 High Walls, and wound up getting one of the Browning BPCRs in 45-70 many years ago. I do use smokeless powders, typically AA5744. May have to try the RL-7 that df suggested, as I really it like in my 221FBs. Look for tang sites, not just peeps. You will need the long range elevation for the 45-70 trajectory. Go rent the movie "Quigley Down Under."

Thanks TinMan for that. Never considered the Browning High Wall, but now I see it gets really good reviews from those that compete with it.

Funny you should mention "Quigley". I have that movie on DVD. It has and continues to get regular play time! I haven't decided if it is the SHARPS or Laura San Giacomo that attracts me to that movie the most!

 

[koger]

Here goes my two cents worth. I have a 32" Pedersoli, with long range peep sight, Vernier, and have had a C Sharps and a Shiloh Sharps. The last 2 were both MOA in competition, shooting black powder loads, which is a whole nuther learning curve. If you decide to go that route, I can save you a lot of headache with some simple loading techniques. The Pedersoli shoots just as good as the other two, at half the price. I have only found on place on the wood on the Pedersoli that was proud, other than that it is a beautiful gun and I love it. I also have 2 Original Trapdoors, 2 Remington rollers, a H&R Buffalo classics, a Browning hi wall, and 2 Marling levers, a first year guide gun and
a1895 std. I have 8 molds and shoot smokeless and BP and am having a ball doing so.
If you are going to shoot a BPCR official match, it will be BP all the way, and an informal match, you can get some outstanding loads, I use mostly 3031 with mild to wild loads, with equal success. I have taken elk, bear, mule deer and several whitetails with a 45/70 and use the 405 gr JSP or Hp on elk, on all else I used 300JHP's with good success. Don't bother to use the Hornady 325 Flextip on any heavy boned game. I have seen them fail on elk, drastically. Pm me or call me 606-207-2079 tomorrow afternoon after church and we can chew the fat.

 

[Paul Workman]

Here goes my two cents worth. I have a 32" Pedersoli, with long range peep sight, Vernier, and have had a C Sharps and a Shiloh Sharps. The last 2 were both MOA in competition, shooting black powder loads, which is a whole nuther learning curve. If you decide to go that route, I can save you a lot of headache with some simple loading techniques. The Pedersoli shoots just as good as the other two, at half the price. I have only found on place on the wood on the Pedersoli that was proud, other than that it is a beautiful gun and I love it. I also have 2 Original Trapdoors, 2 Remington rollers, a H&R Buffalo classics, a Browning hi wall, and 2 Marling levers, a first year guide gun and
a1895 std. I have 8 molds and shoot smokeless and BP and am having a ball doing so.
If you are going to shoot a BPCR official match, it will be BP all the way, and an informal match, you can get some outstanding loads, I use mostly 3031 with mild to wild loads, with equal success. I have taken elk, bear, mule deer and several whitetails with a 45/70 and use the 405 gr JSP or Hp on elk, on all else I used 300JHP's with good success. Don't bother to use the Hornady 325 Flextip on any heavy boned game. I have seen them fail on elk, drastically. Pm me or call me 606-207-2079 tomorrow afternoon after church and we can chew the fat.

PM sent

 

[Indianaoutdoorsman]

I have an unfired Browning Creedmoor BPCR in .45-90. Limited edition made by Miroku. Only 328 made. Has a Badger Ordinance 34” half octagon, half round barrel. Ladder tang sight, globe front sight with spirit level and various inserts. Receiver is case hardened

Since the barrel is modern steel, it will take typical smokeless loads, in this case up to .458 Win Mag equivalents (which I wouldn’t do....no need).

Also have a bunch of loaded and empty brass. I’m gonna sell it, so if you’re interested email [email protected]

 

[Felicitas]

I, too, if something buy the at the highest price. since I believe that the highest price is not just so and that the company or firm or brand put such a price here 
because it is something conditioned. Can this of course marketing, but would still I love all more expensive

 

[Bruce Eakins]

mine is a 40-70

a 45-70 necked down to .408...I have had it since before "Quigley". LOL
I have shot a lot of guns in my time, but that one is a HOOT. Took a trophy mule deer in Utah with it about 250 yards. Great time for sure. I use Hawk jacketed bullets (not many sources for .408) and 3031 powder. I have a couple of the Brownings (45-70 and 38-55). They are nice but not as much fun as the Sharps.
I guess what I'm trying to say is GO FOR IT

 

[Paul Workman]

a 45-70 necked down to .408...I have had it since before "Quigley". LOL
I have shot a lot of guns in my time, but that one is a HOOT. Took a trophy mule deer in Utah with it about 250 yards. Great time for sure. I use Hawk jacketed bullets (not many sources for .408) and 3031 powder. I have a couple of the Brownings (45-70 and 38-55). They are nice but not as much fun as the Sharps.
I guess what I'm trying to say is GO FOR IT

It's "in the works"!