I hope you don't mind a couple of questions from a new Pedersoli Sharps owner. I am planning on loading my own ammo and wonder: 1. What kind of primers should I buy? 2. What kind of bullets do you all use? 3. What's the best powder? 4. Last question, what kind of sights? I was planning to purchase a Pedersoli long range sight from Cabela's. Any opinions?
Hope I am not asking too much all at once but I know little.
Thanks for your help.
1. large rifle primers or large rifle magnum primers although some have used large pistol primers with success.
2. depends on caliber (which you failed to mention). for 45-70, best long range (500 yards and up) bullet is lead/tin alloy cast in the 500 grain and heavier range and lubed with an SPG-type lube.
3. REAL BLACK POWDER (bet you didn't want to hear that).
4. If you purchase the Pedersoli sights from Cabela's (or anywhere else), you will be buying another set in the relatively near future. Many use MVA and others. I have two sets of Parts Unknown long range sights and have been happy with them.
The Pedersoli Sharps is a very good rifle. Reloading for a BPCR rifle is unlike loading for a "normal" high power rifle/cartridge. Each barrel likes something different, even if just minutely different, from the one before it in the line and the one after it in the line. Don't want to try to scare you off at all, but it ain't like grabbing a Rem 700 and 20 rounds off the shelf. It is a process and takes a fair bit of experimenting to find the "proper" load for the rifle.