Sharps Authenticity

[Colt Fanning]

Hi,
I recently acquired an IAB Sharps sporter model with a Dixie gun works brass tube scope and a 32 in octagonal Barrel.
After rebuilding the lock and both scope mounts the gun shoots very well but is too front heavy to shoot offhand.  Due to the
scope I can cut off the barrel only about 4''.  Were any of the original sharps made with a smaller octagon in front of the
forearm or even round in front of the forearm?  I am interested in doing position shooting in NCOWS events.
Regards
Colt

[Yellowhouse Sam]

They tend to be a little front end heavy anyway and the scope added to the problem.  Before you go to whacking try attaching (not permanently) a little weight to the butt and see if it gives better balance.  Bout a 1/2 lb should do it.  If this feels more comfortable then you might consider installing a chunk of lead into a hole drilled under the buttplate.

I don't know what matches NCOWS has but if its like BPCR only 1/4 of the match is shot standing...course this is what makes or breaks a shooter too so:   It also helps to do a lot of walking and some weight lifting to increase your stamina.  You'll be surprised how much your shooting will improve to get in shape.  It takes different muscles to shoot offhand so work on that end of the deal too.

Sharps offered barrels lenghths and configurations according to the customers wishes so I wouldn't be concerned about that.  That said a tapered octagon barrel 30-32 in long was more typical and the rifle weighing around 10-12 lbs.  A lot of the truly serious buffalo hunters favored heavy 14-16 lb guns but these were rare and todays collector prices reflect that.  And unless you're a 600 lb gorilla be kinda hard to shoot offhand.

About as good a book that summarizes all this information is Venturino's "Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West".  Lots of history and loading techniques.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...A lot of the truly serious buffalo hunters favored heavy 14-16 lb guns but these were rare and todays collector prices reflect that.  And unless you're a 600 lb gorilla be kinda hard to shoot offhand...

15 lbs. 13 oz. 50-90 & hard to hold offhand for long. 

[Advertising]

[Yellowhouse Sam]

15 lbs. 13 oz. 50-90 & hard to hold offhand for long. 

Unless you're a 900 lb gorilla its hard to have the best of both worlds.  Thats a crosstick rifle for sure.   

[drcook]

I have been drooling over this one. It is in 45-70 and is just begging to be rechambered to a 110.
It too is a 15 lb'er

[Angel_Eyes]

They are huge barrels, and, as inertia is the hardest thing to overcome, once you come onto target, it should not be easy to come off due to a snatched trigger pull.
I shot mine regularly, offhand, and found the easiest way was to come up on target quite quickly, take aim, and release quickly.
That way you are not straining your nerves and muscles by extended time in sighting.

As with most things,,,practice, practice, practice. Soon it will become second nature, and always enjoy!

AE

[Marshal Deadwood]

AE,,,I like heavy guns. ALways have,,makes the 'best' offhand guns. Now, granted, I have near -0 experience in hunting with a 16#'er,,,but a 10-12 lb rifle with the proper LOP is just about right for good offhand work....'for me.'

I once had a 11#, 50" barrel flint rifle,,,wideee breech (1 1/4 wide) ,,,nice quick taper and small flair at the muzzle,,,was the best shooting flinter I ever owned....and it was eye level in length and heavy.

I've added weight to modern scoped rifles on purpose..till I would achieve that 'balance' that worked for me,,usually the rifle would end up around 11#,,,give or take an ounce or two.

I just never worried about having a 'lite weight' rifle to make my hunting 'lighter.

I'd LOVE to have a m-700 Rem, in 7mm rem mag with a heavy barrel,,,wish they would configure me one like that at standard off the rack price,,,,I'm not 'eat up' with money and sometimes have to avoid 'custom' options.

And you are right,,there is an art to bringing the sights to bear on target and having the confidence to shoot and not dally and procrastinate once you are on target.

MD

[Grogan]

Here's my Big 50.

It's definitely a cross sticks rifle...



Here's Miss Lil getting ready to touch it off.



 

[Fox Creek Kid]

Grogan, what's that rifle weigh?

[Grogan]

Grogan, what's that rifle weigh?

A tad over 16#

[Fiddler Green]

15 lbs. 13 oz. 50-90 & hard to hold offhand for long. 

I find bullets to be impatiant little things and prefer to get underway sooner than later. So, I say "all the better!" I see way to many people holding their rifles (regardless of the weight) untill they are starting to shake and then pulling the trigger. All you have to do is squeze the trigger with the sights lined up and let the bullet find it's own way home.

Bruce