Howdy RR and others,

I have a .38 OT (no help there). My other OT is .45 Colt; however it is a 3rd model dragoon converted by Hoofhearted. So, my 6grs. of American Select under a 200 gr bullet feels pretty mild. Given the size of the cylinder, I could probably go much hotter but I use the same load in all my 45's. So the forgoing was probably of little help.

Glad I could participate,

Rev. Chase

Nice photos, Ken.  I always enjoy poring over gun-related historical records.

Here is a photo from the Hawaii Archives of Masonic Temple Squad 5 of the Citizen Guard, Hawaii, taken in 1895.  In a squad of 27 men (and one small boy, who appears to be unarmed), I think I see four Trapdoors, four 1876 Win Muskets, one 1876 Win Carbine, three Sharps-Borchardts, one Mod 1879 Rem Lee, seven full-length magazine Winchesters (I think they're '92s), maybe a couple shotguns, and a few others I can't quite identify.  I feel I should recognize the one tucked under the arm of the gent in the light-colored suit near the center of front row, but just can't quite make it out, although some features suggest a rolling block. 

It looks like it was a fun, "bring your own gun" kind of rifle squad, but a logistical nightmare if it ever came to fighting.

Hi Shilohdiver, thanks for the compliment. I am just starting out experimenting, googled m1853 Sharps cartridges and found Star and Bullock, ( cartridgekits.com ). I watched their YouTube video and that gave me an idea of what’s involved in making paper cartridges. I bought one of their loading kits and some .54 cal Richmond bullets. Now the fun begins. I’m getting calipers today because so much is involved in getting this right. Th bullet is too big for the bore, which may be correct, but I don’t know by how much. I remember loading BP pistols and seating the ball, it was tight and left lead shavings when seated. I also need to figure out the load, best black powder, length of chamber, ( I’ll make a cartridge and mark the edge of the chamber ), and I’m sure there will be many more questions to be answered as I go along. That’s why I’m here, hoping to get some advice from the experienced shooters here, and who knows, share what I’m learning along the way. This is a new hobby for me, I’ll see where it leads. Thanks in advance.

Hope I haven’t overstepped my bounds, is it OK to discuss Sharps on this Spencer site. My intention is to share my Spencer when it arrives and discuss a center fire conversion that will soon follow.

  Oh Goodie Goodie 

Absolutely love this question.  First up, I MUST agree with the Dragoon.  The original 71/72 Open Top cylinders have scary THIN chamber walls.  I have worked on several that had spit the super thin little piece out of the bottom the locking bolt slots.  I have been of the opine, the Uberti 71/72 Open Top should NEVER have been chambered in 45 Colt.  My pair were very early guns and were chambered in 45 Schofield.  Won't accept 45 Colt.  My particular guns were the pair of Open Tops originally sent around to the Scribes when the Open Top was released.

Now we get to get down to the real "Brass Tacks."  I don't like, have never liked, and don't miss Trail Boss.  I have always used TightGroup.  Now the kicker > > > My 71/72 Open Tops are chameleons.  I have fitted .44 Special Cylinders/Barrels and .38 Cylinders/Barrels to my guns.  I no longer shoot smokeless powders, but my Go-To smokeless "was" tightGroup.  These days I shoot APP in everything.  Keeps it real, real simple, and real FUN!!  When I was foolish enough to shoot smokeless, I shot 3.8 to 4Gr TightGroup with 130Gr Barnstormer bullets in Either 45 Schofield cases or C45S cases.  Nice manly "Bark" and low recoil.

Then we have to consider some "other" Open Tops.  I also shoot a pair of Pietta 1860s with Kirst Konverters.  I managed to do something really stupid and ruined my original Kirst cylinders.  I replaced them with the Second 45 ACP cylinders from Kirst.  Some Kind of FUN you betcha.  I load them with Cowboy 45 Special cases with 3f APP and 130Gr Barnstormer bullets, or, 45 ACP cases with 3F APP same same for bullets or 160Gr RNFP.


Yes Agnes, People ARE Hazardous to Yer Health

I guess I am okay. According to the Hodgdon reloading chart, the MAX load of 6.5 grains with a 200 gr RNFP bullet  is 855 FPS at 11K PSI. I am well below that at 6.0 grains.