A delimna has arrived. I am going to order a new Sharps next week, maybe week after, whenever I get to Big Timber. I think the 45's are very good versatile calibers but too common amongst the BPC shooters. I want to be different and am considering a 50 2.5" in a saddle rifle, with a 26" inch heavy-half barrel, with some minor upgrades. What thinks ye folks in regard to its use as a hunting rifle, not the target line for this one. I have a similar saddle rifle in 40-70 SS with standard weight etc. What about the 26", should I go longer with the fifty? It is essentially a ninty grain case, more or less depending on powder used and bullet type.

I have no experience with .50s, but why don't you ask your question over on the Shiloh forum? There seem to be a few .50 shooters that hang out there. Kurt comes to mind.

Sounds like a cool rifle, but all Shilohs are cool.

Paul

Wonderful rifles with more built in quality than any other production firearm I know of in the states. The suggestion to go straight to the source (Shilo forum) is a good one. Think you will find that you're really not being a radical at all with the 50. Be prepared for a fairly long weight. I'd order it now.

I've shot a 5090 in a Shiloh. There's a reason they send the standard weight barrels back to get the heavyweights installed.
If you want something "different" in the saddle rifle might think about the 44-77. If you're dead set on a 50 go with the LRE, or a #1 with the heavy octagon 32 inch.
50's a good shooter but the recoil is about like a 12ga 3in.in the heavy guns, makes my eyes cross just thinking about it in the saddle rifle.

One thing most overlook when getting a 50. EVERYTHING you have for reloading is too small!! Loading blocks, shell holders, dies, sometimes even the press has to be special for the 50 caliber cartridge guns.

I hope you mean a long wait....yeah, they told me 16 months. I am going through there (Big Timber) in about two weeks. I'll stop and see Heather, work out the details and get one ordered.

Thanks for the input guys, but one question. What's recoil?

I load and shoot several 50 calibers guns now, Jeffery, N.E., it all works in my Redding Big Boss or T-7 press. The loading blocks and several other things like trimmer pilots are hard to find for the big rimmed stuff. I want a short compact dainty little 11 pound rifle that's why I want the saddle gun. I can get longer barrel but want to stick with the half & half barrel, but they will only make the fifty in a heavy barrel so the weight should be enough. The saddle gun is not lighter except for barrel length. I like that stock config and the Creedmore trigger plate. I do need to get up to speed with the 50-90 though, it is new for me.

You going with the slow twist for the light bullets or going fast with the 700's?
With it taking anywhere from 100-125grs of 1f to adequately fill the big case, I'ld think 26 inches is gonna be hell for muzzleblast, and loose a bit of velocity.....
But have fun with it, don't forget to check see if they got anything on the rack that'll suit.

Either way. Wait or weight. Got a 45-90 long range express a couple years ago. That was a 2-year wait. I'm still dialing things in and would like to use it on elk some day. It's a long weight though, as it came in at near 15 lbs. Not sure I want to pack it up the mountain.

I need to quit going to the office and put in about 2 months full time learning the intricacies of loading and shooting.

Ranch 13--You know how it is. You can lead a horse to water---