Cheap Sharps Club

[Cyrille]

so what do you guys think of the H&R trapdoor 1873 spring

 Hey man I was funinn, Didn't you see the smileys? You ended your question with the word "spring" I know what you meant by that but I took the literal meaning of the word "spring" and made a "pun"  Didn' mean to offend you.

[Buffalow Red]

OK WERE ALL COOL, my mistake, thanks for your responces, when you dont know or are new to a different part of this game its nice to get youall's ideas

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

How about this?  HALF a Pedersoli for less than $1,000!

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14470&osCsid=2d5e6ddfa15a6827de35bdd37d3490f7

[Steel Horse Bailey]

How about this?  HALF a Pedersoli for less than $1,000!

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14470&osCsid=2d5e6ddfa15a6827de35bdd37d3490f7

Not much of a bargain that I can see - 'tho I'm not sure what a barrel would cost. 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

How about this?  And then there is the fitting, finishing, & mounting sights!

http://www.badgerbarrelsinc.com/custombarrels.htm?76,12

[Ranch 13]

Once you shoot a Badger barrel, you don't spend any more time whinin about the price.

[Col. Cornelius Gilliam]

Howdy,

I picked up a used IAB Sharps carbine a few years ago for under $425.  A fun little gun for the price.  I only shoot black powder through it, using the Lyman 385gr RN bullet thats a copy of the Govt. carbine bullet.

Two problems with it though:

1.  The barrel mikes out around 0.454" diameter - not super accurate with the typical 0.458" diameter lead bullets, but OK.

2.  It shot very high (18") at 50 yards (like every other 45-70 single shot carbine I have tried).  I corrected this by installing a higher brass blade front sight.

The 45-70 single shot carbines are fun to shoot with black powder!!

[boot strap jack]

We may need to modify the price range for the CSRC. Just seen a tristar listed for $1050.00 on GB. That would put the older pedersoli's in the club.
BSJ

[Steel Horse Bailey]

We may need to modify the price range for the CSRC. Just seen a tristar listed for $1050.00 on GB. That would put the older pedersoli's in the club.
BSJ

I see your point, but let's keep it under a grand for now.  I don't know if older Pedersolis are any better or worse than the current models, but ... as long as the Fed keeps DE-valuing the dollar to cater to the billionaire crowd er, ... Europe in the name of Free Trade, the comparative values will move around.  Pretty soon, the Dollar won't be worth $.50 ... oh, wait - that's about where it is now.    On a good day.

My Sharps repro, one of the Armi Sport models sold by Taylor's, is now over that magical $1000 limit, too.  I'm not familiar with any guns imported by Tristar, but I don't think they're from P'soli - at least not now.  They're listed on their website at $969 (as of Sep. '08) but they don't mention who actually manufactures their repro Sharps. 

[GABulldog]

Howdy All!

I just bought a Tristar which is manufactured by I.A.B  I got mine for about $730 with shipping.  I hope it is all it's cracked up to be, as this will be my meat/"not on my land", gun for a while.  I am currently oversees, but my new girl should be waiting for me with my old(er) girl when I get home.  Anyone who has one of the '74 deluxe sporters I would love to hear how she shoots, oh and whether these guns can be shot smokeless.

[Ace Lungger]

 :)I hope to give you a answer tomorrow night, or Tuesday night, I have oqned mine for over a month and just now got all set up to go to the range and se what she does, I am sure it will shoot better than I can!
You all have a good one!
ACE

[Ace Lungger]

 :)Howdy Pards,
 Well although I own a cheap sharps it has a mighty  fine barrel, the trigger group is excellent, I wouldn't recommend Tristar Creedmoore sites, i don't think they have a problem with being accurate, it's that i had to send in my first set back, they weren't made right, and I allready had problems with the long range tang, I belive I can fix it, but a person shouldn't have to work on a New site
 With everything to take in perspective, I am not dis pleased one bit! For my self, I won't  be trading it off for a different brand, the rifle shoots better than I can shoot it! I still have many thing to learn about this type of shooting, and know it will take a long time! It is fun to see the fire and smoke from real Black Powder, it does take a little time to clean for a beginner, but all in all, if you want a fun rifle to shoot in the Sharps design, There isn't anything wrong with a IAB for the money!

 I hope that I havn't bored you all to death with my commints, yes i would like to handle one of the Higher priced Sharps, but I didn't say I would buy one, for the differnce in money I can go buy 2 or 3 more guns!

Later ACE

[Alabama]

Just like one of you Wise ( wise-acre ) men quoted on one of these threads I read recently , " as soon as someone wins with an IAB then they will become the rage to owne too " .
Sage words there !
Pedersoli never won anything till they won something , right . 
Just because you owne a Shilo don't mean you can hit the broadside of the barn with it . Not that I wouldn't want one or owne one myself , just cannot afford it though , currently . Beauty doesn't win target shooting , practice does . Most Shilo owners think Pedersoli is crap , compaired . Pedersoli owners think IAB is crap , compaired . Pretty soon when IAB wins something , IAB owners will know they are all good rifles . Too bad it won't work the other way around ? But that's just people 
I owne none of them by the way , but watching this board tells me there is allot of rivalry with brands , and allot of people whom think thier %**%$ don't stink because they owne a Shilo or better . Just my observation is all . Typical for the human race there .
It is the old arrogance of " My Sig .45 will outshoot your Colt .45 any day of the week " ..... Blah blah blah .
Is Sig nicer ? Yes . Will it outshoot your Colt ? Not likely . Is the owner of a Shilo or better a better shot ? No . There you go .
Are they made better ? Yes. Can you win with an IAB ? Yes . End of story .
If I do get one , it most likely won't be a Shilo or better . It may not even be Pedersoli !!!!! I love the CROW that will be eatin as soon as IAB wins . But you won't hear anyone with real nice guns giving congrats , you'll hear how they were just having a bad day
and that's how IAB won . That is exactly what happened when Pedersoli won too , first time . I guess Shilo and better have had allot of bad days out recently !!!! Soon as IAB wins , they are really going to have some bad days out , because allot of poor people will be kickin your a$$ too . JMHO which aint so humble, its truth .  I like people whom want nice guns because they are nice guns , not because they have a name attatched to it . Your gun aint a Buffalo gun unless you have killed Buffalo either .
I am sure i will become part of the Cheap Sharps Club if I do buy one soon though 

Alabama

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Just like one of you Wise ( wise-acre ) men quoted on one of these threads I read recently , " as soon as someone wins with an IAB then they will become the rage to owne too " .
Sage words there !
Pedersoli never won anything till they won something , right . 
Just because you owne a Shilo don't mean you can hit the broadside of the barn with it . Not that I wouldn't want one or owne one myself , just cannot afford it though , currently . Beauty doesn't win target shooting , practice does . Most Shilo owners think Pedersoli is crap , compaired . Pedersoli owners think IAB is crap , compaired . Pretty soon when IAB wins something , IAB owners will know they are all good rifles . Too bad it won't work the other way around ? But that's just people 
I owne none of them by the way , but watching this board tells me there is allot of rivalry with brands , and allot of people whom think thier %**%$ don't stink because they owne a Shilo or better . Just my observation is all . Typical for the human race there .
It is the old arrogance of " My Sig .45 will outshoot your Colt .45 any day of the week " ..... Blah blah blah .
Is Sig nicer ? Yes . Will it outshoot your Colt ? Not likely . Is the owner of a Shilo or better a better shot ? No . There you go .
Are they made better ? Yes. Can you win with an IAB ? Yes . End of story .
If I do get one , it most likely won't be a Shilo or better . It may not even be Pedersoli !!!!! I love the CROW that will be eatin as soon as IAB wins . But you won't hear anyone with real nice guns giving congrats , you'll hear how they were just having a bad day
and that's how IAB won . That is exactly what happened when Pedersoli won too , first time . I guess Shilo and better have had allot of bad days out recently !!!! Soon as IAB wins , they are really going to have some bad days out , because allot of poor people will be kickin your a$$ too . JMHO which aint so humble, its truth .  I like people whom want nice guns because they are nice guns , not because they have a name attatched to it . Your gun aint a Buffalo gun unless you have killed Buffalo either .
I am sure i will become part of the Cheap Sharps Club if I do buy one soon though 

Alabama
 

                                 Well said Alabama

                                                         tEN wOLVES [/size][/size][/size][/color][/b]

[GABulldog]

Howdy Folks,

Thanks for all the advice/encouragement concerning IAB.  I hope mine is as dandy as everyone elses, though I'm still waitin' on her to ship from the shop it's at.  This is my first blackpowder cartridge gun.  I was gunning for a Marlin 1895 Cowboy, but the shop I ordered from messed up their website and didn't actually have the gun in stock.  So I did what any red-blooded Georgia boy would do, I gave in to my memory/fantasies about old Matt Quigley's famous rifle.  I bought the 32 inch Deluxe Sporter.  I hope it is a post block safety rifle, which I've heard are a pain.  Anyway, I am also looking for roundnose hardcast bullets as I intend to become a reloader as well.  I can't find the dang things online to save my life.  I can only find one or two weights here or there on midway.  Am I looking in the wrong spot or am I gonna have to start casting my own?  Any help there would be appreciated as well.  Thanks again to all you "Cheap Sharps" brothers.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy Folks,

Thanks for all the advice/encouragement concerning IAB.  I hope mine is as dandy as everyone elses, though I'm still waitin' on her to ship from the shop it's at.  This is my first blackpowder cartridge gun.  I was gunning for a Marlin 1895 Cowboy, but the shop I ordered from messed up their website and didn't actually have the gun in stock.  So I did what any red-blooded Georgia boy would do, I gave in to my memory/fantasies about old Matt Quigley's famous rifle.  I bought the 32 inch Deluxe Sporter.  I hope it is a post block safety rifle, which I've heard are a pain.  Anyway, I am also looking for roundnose hardcast bullets as I intend to become a reloader as well.  I can't find the dang things online to save my life.  I can only find one or two weights here or there on midway.  Am I looking in the wrong spot or am I gonna have to start casting my own?  Any help there would be appreciated as well.  Thanks again to all you "Cheap Sharps" brothers.

Howdy, G(eorgia) Bulldog!

I can't advise ya much on casting.  I cast my own BigLube boolits for my 45 Colt pistols/rifles, but while I have tried to cast (a Postell 535 gr.) for my 45-70 Sharps (Budget model  ) I haven't had much luck with it. Yet.  Casting these BIG bullets is waaaay harder than the smaller boolits and requires a longer "learning curve."  IMHO.  (Yer mileage may vary)

However, loading BP rounds for any BP cartridge is pretty simple, as far as the basics.  Fill the case full of powder (your favorite brand; 2F Goex being probably the most common) so that when you seat the bullet, you compress the powder 1/8" to 1/4" with a wad between the bullet and powder.  Generally - depending on the powder used and the granulation you choose - you'll probably get between 58-63 grs. of powder.  It is a volume thing: don't worry about the weight much, just make sure the case is full with NO airspace between the powder and bullet.  Most loaders are using regular large rifle powders, but some recommend magnum primers and now there is a growing number of BPCR shooters who advocate using large PISTOL primers.  The REAL key is finding the load that YOUR rifle likes best.  One other VERY important thing about loading/shooting BP: Ya gotta use LOTS of lube - you can't hardly use too much!

Have fun!

There is a LOT of useful information about BP loading on the Darksider's Den and its' child board, the Dark Arts. 


Keep yer powder dry !

 

[French Jack]

All items needed to load your own you can find at:  http://www.buffaloarms.com  ..  they are good folks and will treat you right.

[GABulldog]

Thanks again to all y'all fine folk, I am further down the path to enlightenment.  My IAB shipped today, so hopefully the Mrs. can pick it up in a few days.  I was reading around, and have now considered the possibility of going paper patched.  I hear it is what these guns were designed for so they are what is best.  Also I hear there is no better hunting bullet than a ppb.  Are there any special considerations such as press type/die type?  If this is the route to go I would like to know so I don't spend money on things I don't need.  I know part of the fun is experimentation, but the wife probably would like it if I kept the price down on my science project known as reloading.  Also I ordered some bulk ammo and I have no idea what kind of brass it will have.  Should I buy new winchester or starline and not even risk the stuff I have ordered after it is shot?  All y'alls help is greatly appreciated, as I have spent the last four years (career wise)with a peashooter with a one in seven twist.  Three round burst is cool, but I need to get away from these derned black rifles throwing 60 grain B.B.s.

[Ranch 13]

I'ld counsel you to just start into this gently Learn the basics of bp reloading and shooting grease groove bullets before trying to move on to paper patch. If you're trying to do this on the cheap paper patchin ain't the way to go, paper patch molds (blocks only ) start at 115$ and go up 

[GABulldog]

I reckoned I would buy pre-patched bullets.  I will likely start with lubed grooved bullets first though anyway, just to get a feel for pressing and such. 

[Ranch 13]

I reckoned I would buy pre-patched bullets.  I will likely start with lubed grooved bullets first though anyway, just to get a feel for pressing and such. 

 Last I looked those prepatched were over 50 cents  each.

[Buckeye Chuck]

I just recently bought an Armi Sport 1859 Sharps Carbine (used) in great to next to new shape. It orginally came from Taylors. I saw on Taylors and Armi sports web sites that they have brass tubes that act as cartridges from them. So I bought a pack from Taylors but when trying them out the tubes don't go all the way into the chamber. The one I tried sticks out of the chamber 7/16" into the block area. Could the floating chamber be in backwards?  Has anyone else have any experience with these that could help me.
Thanks
Buckeye Chuck

[Ace Lungger]

I did get out the other night and shot my cheap Sharps! I shoot at a friend of mines range and I don't shoot there unless he is there, because he has a lead sled, and that thing is a back saver with those 500gr bullets. The shooting conditions we terriable, just about dark, sun shining in from the left side, could not harly see threw the sites, shot 10- 385gr bullets and 10- 500gr, shot them at 100 yards, and put all 20 in a 4" cicrle, pretty crappy shooting, but I can blame it on the sun! Not a bery good reason!1
 I worked on making my own sled today, and I hope to get my brother to finish it tomorrow! If so, i can go to our range and realy try to see if the cheapy will shoot!! Whit my load, I am using, 58gr of German FFG, 60thfiber wad and 25th card board, with light powder compresson. I used the same load with both bullets! The 385 shot a little higher than the 500gr! I can't tell you if the cheap Sharps will be a tac driver, but I think with more shooting, and I might have to glass bed the forarm, it will be not half bad! My barrel mics 457, and I use a 459 sizing die, and all it does is lube them! We are expecting snow tomorrow, but maybe a warm up the last of the week, and if I get the sled done, I will get some shooting in, during daylight and might get some better resullts! Won't know how to shoot with light to see the target!
Later ACE

[Gripmaker]

Just got through reading all 5 pages of this post and have enjoyed it immensely. I do have some news that might be of interest and that is that IAB has won many matches already. I met a young man who works for Lee Shaver out of Lamar, MO and mentioned that I was looking for an IAB Sharps and how so many BPCR shooters seem to look down on it. His reply was that Lee (who has won many a match) uses an IAB-based rifle. I assume that means the receiver is about all that is still IAB and even it has probably seen extensive reworking but it is an IAB none-the-less, technically speakin' of course. I love it when snooty folks is found with egg on their face.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Just got through reading all 5 pages of this post and have enjoyed it immensely. I do have some news that might be of interest and that is that IAB has won many matches already. I met a young man who works for Lee Shaver out of Lamar, MO and mentioned that I was looking for an IAB Sharps and how so many BPCR shooters seem to look down on it. His reply was that Lee (who has won many a match) uses an IAB-based rifle. I assume that means the receiver is about all that is still IAB and even it has probably seen extensive reworking but it is an IAB none-the-less, technically speakin' of course. I love it when snooty folks is found with egg on their face.

Right on, Lee Shaver!


I put his budget model sights on my budget model rifle and I love 'em!

Ya made my day, Gripmaker!!!