sharps

Rubikahn

Rubikahn

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How does the accuracy of a replica sharps rifle in 45-70 compare with something like a 10fp or similar tactical rifle?
 
You are comparing a bi-plane to a jet fighter.
The BP shooters are shooting against other BP shooters using similar rifles.
BP shooting seems like a lot of work to me, but the guys that do it always seem to be having a good time.
 
I guess it's another of my many stupid questions:redface: I didn't know 45-70 was black powder. I thought they were regular smokeless cartridges.
 
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Part of what makes a comparison hard is that black powder competitions normally require iron sights. Properly loaded, a good black powder rifle should get 1" groups at 100 yds and while potentially as accurate as any other quality rifle, are probably limited by the conditions of competition.

cheers mooncoon
 
In relative terms, excellent. I think you need to understand that a Sharps is a rifle from the 1800's. Compared to how the orig shot, the replicas with modern loading techniques/sights/bullets/powders are fantastic.

But from a raw accuracy stand point, not even on the same planet.

You might want to do some research into BCPR shooting.

The 45-70 was always centerfire. That does not determine its accuracy.

Jerry
 
"...regular smokeless cartridges..." They are now. The original load was with 70 grains of BP. 55 grains for a Trapdoor Springfield carbine. You don't want to shoot a 70 grain load out of one of these either. Trust me. It won't damage the carbine, but you'll know it went bang.
Most factory loaded .45-70 ammo is loaded down as the makers have no control over what rifle the ammo is fired in.
Sharps replicas are usually made for smokeless ammo and aren't cheap to buy.
 
How about something like a H&R Buffalo classic. Would that handle hotter loads. Saw one for sale at Ellwoods
 
With a 45/70, a highwall browning and open sights it is possible to knock down 8 of 10 rams with ten shots at 500metres. The cartridge is accurate if loaded properly and shot right! Doing that with any calibre and open sights is difficult.
 
Trajectory and accuracy are two different things, and a high trajectory does not mean your rifle is inaccurate at any given range, just means that you must know the range exactly in order to get hits. There is an article in Precision Shooting at 1000 Yards where the author tries to replicate the famous Billy Dixon Shot using a C. Sharps 1875 chambered for a modern .40-65 made from .444 Marlin cases. The load was 20.0 grs of Accurate XMP-5744, Federal 215 primer, and a cast 400 gr semi spitzer bullet from RCBS mold # 40-400-CSA. The range was 1540 yards, and they got hits on a life size "human on horse" silhouette. The following year the shooting was done again with a .45-110 Sharps and a .50-90 Sharps. Interesting stuff!
 
There asre many gppd Replicas on the market, and the H&R is a replica, dispite what some people will tell you.
It will not stand the hot SMOKELESS loads that a new 1885 or a Sharps will, however.
They are a lot offun and darned accurate also.

BPCR is a whole lot of fun, and the buffalo classic is an inexpensive way to get into it.

Cat
 
Playing with my old sharps has bin some of my most enjoyable shooting yet.!!From a practical accuacy stand piont, off hand you might have a though time bettering what they can do. From the bench they are no 6.5x284 !!!!
But at least you can be very happy with 2 foot groups @ 1000, Not so with the 6.5s. Mine is a c sharps arms 1863 that some time in the last 140 years got converted to cartridge,45/70 .
My two cents .
 
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