Downloading 50-140 Sharps to 50-70?

[BDL931]

A little while ago, I finally tracked down my deceased fathers replica 1874 Farmingdale Shilho sharps in 50-140. I've successfully reloaded for it and now would like to attempt at the very least a group at 200m. Biggest hurdle is with a 135 gr of 2f, the rifles weight, (17 lbs), and recoil makes well aimed shots and proper follow through impossible. So Ive been thinking:

Is it possible to load a reduced charge of 70grs 2f and a sutiable filler to ensure no air gap within the 50-140 casing, still maintaining all the same overall length as a full load cartridge?

It would look something like this: Bertram 50-140 case, WLRM primer, 70gr 2f GOEX (compressed), 2 milk carton wads( .060"), filler material ( weight and type TBD, compressed), 515 gr Lyman cast Bullet (# 2 alloy), COAL 3.750".

Positive discussion will be appreciated

 

[sail32]

You might try over at;

https://www.shilohrifle.com

https://bpcr.net/

 

[mooncoon]

you could try corn meal as a filler. Probably important to compress the corn meal as well as the powder. It is a common filler in cap and ball revolvers

cheers mooncoon

 

[vagrantviking]

Corn meal or cream of wheat are the usual fillers.

I have also loaded down 45-70 with 5 or 6 1/16" wads cut from cork gasket material and had good results.

 

[wade]

I had one of those ,I finally sent it back to Shiloh and rebarreled to 45/70 ,,I think you can down load that with wads as long as no air spaces ,,wade

 

[CarbineGirl]

Might consider going down to 50-90. Having that much filler or wad stack would probably remove any kind of repeatable accuracy.

 

[billybob]

I used cornmeal for a filler until I had case separations,

I found out that the corn meal compressed to a solid lump and almost glued itself to the interior of the cartridge case walls.

When the lump of corn meal was propelled forward with the projectile ,it sometimes separated the case.

When I switched to Cream of Wheat I have fired several hundred rounds with no more separations.

I use about 1/16 inch compression. This has worked for me for many years. Cheers

 

[Andy]

You have other options if you'd consider smokeless powder.

 

[303EppsFan]

A little while ago, I finally tracked down my deceased fathers replica 1874 Farmingdale Shilho sharps in 50-140. I've successfully reloaded for it and now would like to attempt at the very least a group at 200m. Biggest hurdle is with a 135 gr of 2f, the rifles weight, (17 lbs), and recoil makes well aimed shots and proper follow through impossible. So Ive been thinking:

Is it possible to load a reduced charge of 70grs 2f and a sutiable filler to ensure no air gap within the 50-140 casing, still maintaining all the same overall length as a full load cartridge?

It would look something like this: Bertram 50-140 case, WLRM primer, 70gr 2f GOEX (compressed), 2 milk carton wads( .060"), filler material ( weight and type TBD, compressed), 515 gr Lyman cast Bullet (# 2 alloy), COAL 3.750".

Positive discussion will be appreciated

I have used reduced loads in 45-120 using felt wad and card wads. It is much easier with AA5744 smokeless which requires no fillers.

 

[Sharps '74]

I had one of those ,I finally sent it back to Shiloh and rebarreled to 45/70.

This. Bad stuff happens when you start messing with wads and fillers.