Here is my new sharps I recently picked up from prophet River an 1875 c Sharps in 45/70.Suprisingly for a heavy tapered barrel it carries and balances quite well for hunting.I ve replaced the front sight with a blade for hunting.
having a hard time deciding between a rolling block or Trap door
- Thread starter rci2950
- Start date
Shiloh will void your warranty if you shoot anything other than factory smokeless ammo in their rifles. Calibres like 45-70, 38-55, etc.
Rolling block is stronger. I have an original in 50-70, and an H&R Officers Model trapdoor in 45-70. - dan
Kirk at Shiloh has stated a number of times that his rifles ( in .45-70 ) will handle any load that a Ruger #1 will. With that said, I've never shot anything other than black powder in my Shilohs as that's what I bought them for.
If the options are rolling blocks, trapdoors, or Sharps rifles, I'd pick a Sharps. Preferably a Shiloh if it fits the budget. I a big fan of Shiloh Sharps rifles for a number of reasons, the first being that all of mine are extremely accurate. Spare parts are easily available too.
You can sometimes find a good used Shiloh for a good price here on the EE or on the Prophet River consignment web page.
Chris.
If the options are rolling blocks, trapdoors, or Sharps rifles, I'd pick a Sharps. Preferably a Shiloh if it fits the budget. I a big fan of Shiloh Sharps rifles for a number of reasons, the first being that all of mine are extremely accurate. Spare parts are easily available too.
You can sometimes find a good used Shiloh for a good price here on the EE or on the Prophet River consignment web page.
Chris.
I also have a Shiloh 74 military rifle set up for hunting as recommended by Mike Venterino.He recommended a military rifle with a shotgun butt,double set triggers ,sporting rear sight and a dovetailed front sight so you could add a better front sight than the standard military rifles sight.This gives you a nice a Sharps for hunting and also has sling swivels for easy carry,unfortunately Shiloh doesn t make the military rifle at this moment as they are focusing more on their 77 Sharps
coyoteshooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
i have pedersoli 1885 4570 and 3855 like the rolling block they are 10 lb guns so try a 1885pedersoli or rolling block shop used an get a used h and r 73 carbine they are nice and a ton of fun to shoot and hunt as well 73 carbine loads willdo the job ...i also use a ped 1885 in 3855 remarkable accuuracy with 360 grain cast bullets do not be afraid to try h and r 73 carbine well made and 6 to 800 dollars officers model very nice well good luck......
Here's how I decided.
Which one appeals to YOU?? Which one is the most ergonomically correct for YOU?
I finally settled on a 50-70 Rem Rolling Block, simply because it doesn't hurt as much to shoot and I can get onto the sights easier. That it's stronger than the Trap Door is not a factor.
I liked the visual appearance of the Trapdoor, likely because of all the movies I've seen it in. The Rolling Block looks like a "crooked stick" beside it (my wife's comment)
I've also found the Rolling Block rifles to be more accurate, but that's likely because I don't have to search to find the sights.
Which one appeals to YOU?? Which one is the most ergonomically correct for YOU?
I finally settled on a 50-70 Rem Rolling Block, simply because it doesn't hurt as much to shoot and I can get onto the sights easier. That it's stronger than the Trap Door is not a factor.
I liked the visual appearance of the Trapdoor, likely because of all the movies I've seen it in. The Rolling Block looks like a "crooked stick" beside it (my wife's comment)
I've also found the Rolling Block rifles to be more accurate, but that's likely because I don't have to search to find the sights.
Buffinton sights on a trapdoor are excellent sights but the trade-off is that they are almost always worn and shift sideways a bit. The windage adjustment screw is so fine, I don't know how to repair them
cheers mooncoon
I had a C.Sharps '75 "Business Rifle" in 45-70. Fabulously accurate rifle! Only thing I didn't care for was it's straight grip stock. Sold it to buy a Shiloh product. Still regret it .....
Sharps'74's mention of Ballard rifles got me thinking about Stevens' offerings. CPA, down in the U.S., builds a high quality reproduction of the famous, Stevens 44 1/2 rifle. Pal of mine in Saskatoon, owns one. I am delighted to see these vintage rifles return. There is a timeless quality about these classic rifles....and I include all modern reproductions of the Sharps, Remington and Springfield rifles in that same category, that carries across multiple generations. Personally, I consider those built by Pedersoli to be a very good investment for those individuals who wish to own, and experience shooting these fine single shot rifles. While staying within their budget.
I still don't envy the OP having to make the choice between one or the other. Perhaps he could arrange a 'threesome'?
I still don't envy the OP having to make the choice between one or the other. Perhaps he could arrange a 'threesome'?
I have one and the advantage they have over a rolling block is that the mechanism is enclosed inside the breach block (which is in two halves) and is more or less safe from water and fouling when cleaning the rifle. The breach is also very easy to disassemble and more importantly to reassemble
cheers mooncoon
I recently acquired a H&R Trapdoor Carbine in 45-70. It has a Pedersoli tang sight. I have shot both blackpowder loads and HSM smokeless cowboy loads through it with great results. It's a beautiful rifle.
Last summer on a trip to Montana I toured both C. Sharps and Shiloh Sharps factories. Both were beyond impressive, it was a day I'll never forget. Both rifles are beautifully built but their processes are a bit different. C. Sharps makes there receivers from solid machined steel stock and uses a outside provider for their barrels. Shiloh on the other hand uses a cast receiver which they produce in their own foundry on site, and also produce their own barrels from start to finish. The process at Shiloh seemed to be a bit more intricate, with everything being built and finished under one roof with the exception of custom engraving. A fantastic group of people at each location and some beautiful pieces of art and history as well. I got to meet one of the owners at Shiloh (Brian) and he also gave me an inside look at the foundry and their process for casting as well. It was a great day and something I'll never forget.
Last summer on a trip to Montana I toured both C. Sharps and Shiloh Sharps factories. Both were beyond impressive, it was a day I'll never forget. Both rifles are beautifully built but their processes are a bit different. C. Sharps makes there receivers from solid machined steel stock and uses a outside provider for their barrels. Shiloh on the other hand uses a cast receiver which they produce in their own foundry on site, and also produce their own barrels from start to finish. The process at Shiloh seemed to be a bit more intricate, with everything being built and finished under one roof with the exception of custom engraving. A fantastic group of people at each location and some beautiful pieces of art and history as well. I got to meet one of the owners at Shiloh (Brian) and he also gave me an inside look at the foundry and their process for casting as well. It was a great day and something I'll never forget.
First time I went to Big Timber, I didn't realize that both shops were on the same street! Treatment at both was excellent, but the Shiloh showroom was a jaw dropper!
This was back in the day when owning a Sharps rifle was only a dream for me.
This was back in the day when owning a Sharps rifle was only a dream for me.
There is a slight wrinkle with the H&R trapdoors.
The shaft for the lock release is round and pressed into place. On rare occasions, it can slip and no longer locks the breech shut.
It can unlock itself and I have seen it open and eject automatically.
The fix is very simple: ensure that the parts are positioned correctly and pin them in place. I think the originals used a pentagonal shaft so rotation couldnlt happen.
If I were hunting at short range, I would use the trap door. It's ejection is positive, whereas sometimes the rolling block required actual removal of the fired case with thumb and forefinger.
Of course, your MMV.
Personally, I really like my three 1875 Sharps, and look for excuses to take them shooting.
The shaft for the lock release is round and pressed into place. On rare occasions, it can slip and no longer locks the breech shut.
It can unlock itself and I have seen it open and eject automatically.
The fix is very simple: ensure that the parts are positioned correctly and pin them in place. I think the originals used a pentagonal shaft so rotation couldnlt happen.
If I were hunting at short range, I would use the trap door. It's ejection is positive, whereas sometimes the rolling block required actual removal of the fired case with thumb and forefinger.
Of course, your MMV.
Personally, I really like my three 1875 Sharps, and look for excuses to take them shooting.
