Yeah, I posted on the wrong forum. I got the message.
I get a little touchy when people that don't know history or even shoot a particular discipline beak off without knowing whereof they speak.
But back to '63's ....
When ever I hear someone talk about acquiring one or ordering one from Shiloh, my recommendation is to go for a .50 calibre instead of the usual .54. The chamber is smaller so you can take advantage of a chamber length cartridge without pounding the bee-jeezuz out of yourself. Kinda like the guys that gotta have a 45-120 or 50-120 so they can play the "Mine's-bigger-than-yours" game.
The originals were nominally .52, but could accommodate any number of rounds that could obturate in the bore. That's why the best were converted to 50-70 post Civil War, but even their bores were oversize.
I've got a book by Peter Schiffer's where he tests many (12?) Civil War originals with original ammo as best as possible. It might surprise many to know that the Sharps '63 did not top the list for best overall performance. If anyone is interested, I'll post the ranking.
BTW - it was the 1855 Slant Breech Sharps the Brits tested, sending 5 regiments off to India armed with them. The first had 20.5" barrels, 1-78" twist and were in .577 (same as the Enfield) calibre. The later versions had 18" barrels, 1-48" twist in .551.
Both employed the Maynard tape primer mechanism which the Brits did not like.
All were made on sub-contract for Sharps by Robbins & Lawrence of Windsor, Vermont. The later version was in service until February 1864, 2,400 in service from the original 6,000 purchased of both types. By the time the 'perfected' vertical breech '59 came along, the Brits were no longer interested, Robbins & Lawrence were facing bankruptcy and only the advent of the Civil War prevented that.
Addendum:
I just gave my '63 carbine a wipe down and bore snake. What a little beauty! Nicely figured DARK wood. I did an inventory of my paper rds and alas, only have a handful to go, all loaded with 60 gr Pyrodex pellets.
But - I did find a batch of .54's left over from my Shiloh Sporter days, loaded in Charlie Hahn's tubes. These were great as you could make the tubes as long or short as you wanted. The tubes snap onto the base of the Sharps 'Christmas Tree' bullets. Wish I knew someone locally who shot a .54 percussion I could pass them on to .....