Posted on 02/20/2019 4:47:00 AM PST by w1n1
You have probably heard me compliment the .50-70 Sharps rifles before, and the most “pats on the back” in this story go to my C. Sharps Arms '74 Hartford with the 32-inch number 1½ Heavy barrel.
That's a hefty 13-pound rifle; a very good performer too. It seems like every time I have some difficulties with another rifle, either a black powder cartridge gun or a muzzleloader, I go back to this .50-70 in order to get my bearings and stability again.
This is the rifle that the Accurate Molds bullet number 52-4502L was designed for. The design seemed to be necessary because this rifle would not shoot accurately while using some other bullets. Those other bullets did not carry enough lubricant.
They'd shoot a good three-shot group, but then bullets began to fly all over the paper and the last 4 inches or so of the bore would be caked with a hard fouling. So, this bullet was born with wider lube grooves. I like it and the 70problem of “not enough lube” vanished with the first batch of bullets I tried.
Using a 25:1 lead-to-tin alloy, these bullets weigh about 445 grains, or about 20 grains heavier than the Lyman number 515141 bullet. My favorite and most common load with this bullet in the .50-70 burns 65 grains of Olde Eynsford 2F compressed under a .060-inch Walters wad, while the bullet is seated deeply enough that its forward bearing ring is almost out of sight in the mouth of the case. I have tried other loads but keep coming back to this one. It’s a good standard load that gives me confidence, and when I invite other people to shoot the 32-inch-barreled rifle, that’s the load they get to use. Read the rest of Sharps Rifle 74 Hartford .50-70.
I was expecting a photo of Sean Bean :)
Great Series... “Sharpe’s Rifles”... etc.,
Loved it.
I have a chrono and measure all my loads in all calibers to make sure. A friend with a Remington 45/70 rolling block asked me to chrono his load and I have to say it was the most amazing thing I have fever seen. A ten shot group with a spread of ten fps. More of a spike than a curve.
The TV show Sharpe’s Rifles is a different thing. Lt Sharpe, was leader of a unit armed with Baker Rifles set in 1809.
New Jersey man Christian Sharp started patenting rifle designs in 1848.
Two different things.
But one thing you might find interesting from the Sharpe’s Rifles TV show, the Baker rifle it featured was also used by the Mexican army at the Alamo along with the Brown Bess musket.
Oh, yes, I’m completely aware of that, I was simply responding to the comment regarding Sean Bean from LYDIAONTARIO. Sean Bean starred in the Richard Sharpe series produced by Masterpiece Theater back in the 90s.
Thank you, though.
I remember reading about long-range Sharp rifles being used by the buffalo hunters (”buffalo runners”, as they called themselves) during the 1870s. And of course, the famous Sharp rifle used by Tom Selleck in “Quigley Down Under”.
RE Baker Rifle:
Yes, the “95th Rifles” were Riflemen, not armed with smoothbore muskets.
I would assume the Mexicans bought them from the British...?
Sharp Rifle is really good, my first love
I’d like to Shoot one,
I’m a Big Cap and Ball fan.
A Sharps 50/70 would be a
Hoot!
Did Sean Bean die in that one ? LOL
Have not fired one. Would like to, though.
Yeah I can understand
About 20 years ago, I picked up an 1859 Sharps saddle ring carbine and original “50-70” carbine rounds. I believe the cartridges were 50-50’s. My carbine was one of the Civil War 54cal paper cartridge/percussion cap models that was converted after the CW to 50-70 center fire. Still has it’s Maynard tape primer system. I cast bullets for it and fire it with TrailBoss powder. Shoots great. Only paid $725 for it. It had been refinished, but still a pretty good deal. Also have 1860 Spencer 56-56. Easily installed center fire breech block and enjoy shooting it. 50-70’s are easy to reload, but the 56-56 Spencer with the original heel-seat bullets are a little tricky.
Trail Boss also works well for my 458 Lott reduced power loads, 350gr lead Laser Cast at about 1000fps.
I have 3 Shiloh Sharps, 1 Italian Sharps military rifle and 2 original Sharps rifles.
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