Pedersoli 1874 Sharps

[ruger22]

Get a real bullet on top of the powder, 500 grains or more.

The government roundnose has always been pretty forgiving to try out. you can try some of the other styles later.

What hick said.

I shoot BPCR with a Shiloh Sharps in 45 70.
A 550 g bullet that I cast soft, 30 to 1 lead tin.
Estimate 1125 to 1150 fps.
With 65g of goex ff and a 30 thou fiber wad.

I can shoot 30 rounds between cleaning with no loss of accuracy.
Then minimal leading when I do clean.
The point we make here is to keep your velocity down, well under 1200 with lead bullets.
So you will advoid leading up your barrel.

 

[5point9straight6]

I have a Marlin 1895 in 45/70 and now I ordered a Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Billy Dixon model. I plan on using for a variety of activities, including some hunting. I'm not into black powder, smokeless all the way. My general 45/70 load involves jacketed 350gr bullets by Hornady and IMR 4198 powder. I'm hoping to get a few opinions on working out a hunting load for the 1874 using the 350 gr bullet. I'm open to powder suggestions, I have Varget on hand too, which the manual (IMR/Hodgdon) lists as one of the candidates. I'm trying to achieve speeds at or near 2000 fps. The manual does not list data for the 350 gr bullet in the "Trapdoor" section. Any particular reason for that?

My heaviest load for the Marlin is 47 gr of powder, which the reloading manual lists as the minimum load for that configuration - I find it plenty potent on the shoulder. The pressure of this round is already above the limit for the 1874 (29000 cup).
The hottest load using the 350 gr bullet with Varget powder is 60 gr (compressed), 2013 fps and pressure 29500. That's pretty close to the limit for the Pedersoli. I would start with the listed 54 gr and end with 58 gr for the amount of powder. Does that sound like a plan? Or not?
How would I extrapolate a load using IMR 4198? There is a Trapdoor load listed using a 300 gr Sierra bullet with 45-48 gr of powder, with max pressures below 29000. I'm not sure how much to reduce the amount of powder for the 350 gr bullet. Does anyone have an idea?

 

[ryan]

I have a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70, my most accurate loads so far are 69 gr FFG. Most people that buy the Sharps end up mostly shooting smokeless, often jacketed bullets as well because it can be frustrating to get a black powder load that works well.
Some times it takes years. I am about to order my 4th mold, hope this one is the last!

 

[5point9straight6]

My 1874 came in last week and I had a chance to take a few shots at the range with it yesterday. What a treat! I used a load that I commonly make for my Marlin, 40gr of IMR4198 behind a 350 gr Hornady JRN. I figure this load is within the pressure limits of the Sharps. It grouped within 3" at 100 yards, hit a 12" steel plate at 200 and a 16" plate at 300. Shots were taken without shooting rest or bipod, just braced against the bench. My goal was just to try it out, not to accomplish much. Considering that I was stoked. It's also very comfortable to shoot due to the weight.

 

[ruger22]

Shiloh warrants their rifles with any factory smokeless ammo. With reloads, you're on your own.

I shoot both smokeless and BP in my Shilohs, as do my buddies with Pedersoli and Uberti single shots, but we load to BP equivalent. Diehards attempt to turn a 45-70 into a sub-.458 Winchester and I wish them well. They think it's macho to beat themselves up, like the guys who think you need a .338 to drop a moose. The last two moose I shot fell to lead 45-70 BP equivalent smokeless loads and two 400 lb+ black bears and a Mule Deer fell to lead BP 50-70 loads.

black bears and a Mule Deer fell to lead BP 50-70 loads.

Please tell me more.
I got a 50 / 70 on my mind as partner to my Shiloh 40 / 65...


thanks