I received a new member into the family yesterday. After sitting in the UPS depot in Houston for the last week due to the local weather, I got my new C Sharps 1874. I bought it for long range competitions, and I figgered since this was a one time "bucket list" purchase I might as well dress it up a bit. It's a Bridgeport with 32" half round barrel, long range soule sights, upgraded wood, cheek piece, pistol grip, Hartford collar, hand checkering, etc. Chambered in the venerable old 45-70. I've been drooling over one for years, but the time (i.e. money) was never right. I finally decided if I waited for the right time based on money it would never come, so I finally pulled the trigger and ordered it last March just after I retired.
She is a beauty. I've been loading some ammo today and will get it to the range tomorrow. I'll go through the recommended barrel break-in procedure, then start working on some appropriate black powder ammo. I bought a bore riding mold from Steve Brooks to try, and it does make a huge difference in powder capacity. my minimum load with no compression is about 68 grains of Olde Eynsford FFg. With mild compression it is well over 70 grains. I'm looking forward to spending some range time getting acquainted with her.