Sharps-Borschardt 50-140 Project

L.Parratt

L.Parratt

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Edmonton Alberta.
Howdy,

I Recently picked up a 45-90 Sharps-borchardt Rifle for a good deal. The barrel is however shot, or rusted out.

I've wanted a 50-140 Rifle for a very long time. So nows the time to make one.

I know a lot of people will say the recoil is too much or something along those lines. But whatever. It's a range toy. I'm not going to a PRS Match with it.

My first step will be to Find a .50 Barrel Blank in Canada for a reasonable price.

If anyone has a line on Brass/Dies/Bullets or a Chamber reamer. It'd be greatly appreciated.

Thkfi2e.jpeg
 
Be sure to save the wood, barrel, sights, and anything else that comes off that old Borchardt. There aren't many extra parts around for these rifles.

I have an original sporter that was customized for long range black powder shooting, built by Curt Hardcastle in New Mexico. An excellent long range rifle, but over time it'll be probably worth less than if it was original. I think there were only around 700 of the sporters built, the vast majority are military guns.

Was that rifle originally a .45-90 by the way, or a rechambered .45-70?

When I had my .50-140 it came with all of the brass I needed, plus dies, so I was lucky. I bought a 698gr Creedmoor mold from Buffalo Arms. The one thing that you don't want to overlook is a case trimming tool.

Chris.
 
I would suggest that you try shooting a 45-120 before rushing into rebarreling. The brass and the gun is more common that the 50-140 but more importantly, I think both are brutal to shoot because of recoil. I had a reproduction Sharps in 45-120 for a couple of years but sold it because the recoil made it distinctly unpleasant to shoot. I think it is not uncommon for people to buy the heaviest and longest cartridge single shots and fairly quickly lose interest in them because of recoil. In my case I went to 38-56 with a faster than normal twist and a 300 grain bullet. I still have it and still like it and intend to go to 40-70 sharps bottle neck next. Both will knock down rams at 500 yards

cheers mooncoon
 
I hear that a whole lot. But, I already have some 50-140 Brass so I'm not too worried. Plus it can't be nearly as bad as a Modern 50bmg. Especially with the plans for a Bull barrel.
 
L.Parratt said:
I hear that a whole lot. But, I already have some 50-140 Brass so I'm not too worried. Plus it can't be nearly as bad as a Modern 50bmg. Especially with the plans for a Bull barrel.
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If you replaced the curved buttplate with a shotgun butt it would be a bit easier on the shoulder especially if shooting from a bench
 
mooncoon said:
I would suggest that you try shooting a 45-120 before rushing into rebarreling. The brass and the gun is more common that the 50-140 but more importantly, I think both are brutal to shoot because of recoil. I had a reproduction Sharps in 45-120 for a couple of years but sold it because the recoil made it distinctly unpleasant to shoot. I think it is not uncommon for people to buy the heaviest and longest cartridge single shots and fairly quickly lose interest in them because of recoil. In my case I went to 38-56 with a faster than normal twist and a 300 grain bullet. I still have it and still like it and intend to go to 40-70 sharps bottle neck next. Both will knock down rams at 500 yards

cheers mooncoon
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I agree with this statement. I live in the area and shoot a 45-120 - you are welcome to shoot it. Key is to hang on tight, one mistake not holding it properly and you will remember that a very long time.
 
mooncoon said:
I would suggest that you try shooting a 45-120 before rushing into rebarreling. The brass and the gun is more common that the 50-140 but more importantly, I think both are brutal to shoot because of recoil. I had a reproduction Sharps in 45-120 for a couple of years but sold it because the recoil made it distinctly unpleasant to shoot. I think it is not uncommon for people to buy the heaviest and longest cartridge single shots and fairly quickly lose interest in them because of recoil. In my case I went to 38-56 with a faster than normal twist and a 300 grain bullet. I still have it and still like it and intend to go to 40-70 sharps bottle neck next. Both will knock down rams at 500 yards

cheers mooncoon
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Excellent suggestion indeed. I shoot a 1874 in 45-110 and recoil can also be unpleasant some mornings at the range. To temper this when I am not in the mood to shake my old bones too much with my black powder loads I use a mild 32 gr. of Accurate 5744.
 
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Wow that' a fast twist rate. Mine was 1:26 and it was good for a 700gr bullet. The fastest I've heard in a 50 for cast bullets is 1:22.

Looks heavy which is going to be your friend :)

Chris.
 
gunlaker said:
Wow that' a fast twist rate. Mine was 1:26 and it was good for a 700gr bullet. The fastest I've heard in a 50 for cast bullets is 1:22.

Looks heavy which is going to be your friend :)

Chris.
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Yeah it's very fast haha. But it was also a $100 Barrel. So I'll take it. And at the end of the day. Ober stabilizing isn't the end of the world. If I can hit a Gong at 300m I'm happy.

The plan is to have it made octagonal!
 
50 bmg barrel?
I think Tradex was selling some that had a super hard chamber insert or something.
Yours looks like it might be different but doesn't sound like it was meant for a black powder cartridge.

For $100 I'd be happy to give it a try too.
 
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