My brother-in-law's wife has put a deposit on a new Shiloh Sharps BPCR for him. He is a sporadic deer hunter over the past 30 years with rifle and more common BP muzzleloaders. There are a myriad of options to consider, and he's asked me for advice about that since I'm a more dedicated hunting nut/reloader--but primarily w rifles. I'm not very knowledgeable about Shiloh Sharps and such.

he'd use it for fun and deer hunting, maybe even a safari some day.

he's thinking of a 45-70 and I'd load for him.

any advice on other options or in general? most any experienced input is welcome.

Go here for better info:

http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/

I'll second that and add this one, too; Historic Shooting.com LINK It's owned by our own Ranch13 and is a fount of knowledge.

Lots of information out there.

BTW, Shilohs are intended to shoot black powder with soft lead bullets.

Here's what a Shiloh Sharps Hartford Model with Semi-Fancy wood looks like. I'll second the steel shotgun buttplate!





Ed

Upgraded wood is never a bad idea and their semi-fancy is usually great looking. Definitely get at least AA finish and the custom bedding option. I would also consider a shotgun steel butt plate.other than those only the sky and her purse are the limit

Lot of things that could be... But not knowing a thing about this person, probably best to keep it simple.. #3 45-70, 32 inch standard weight barrel, have them put the borchardt chamber, in case at some point he wants to play with paper patch.

I would recommend a Roughrider in 45-70, octagon barrel, shotgun butt, double set triggers, pewter forend and whatever upgrade in wood he should desire. It would be a functional, yet handsome rifle he could hunt with and never grow tired of...

I would go with either the #3 or a Roughrider, 30" barrel half-octagon / half-round, with both the rear and tang sight, chambered in 45-90.

Hunt anything this planet can offer and tear up the BPCR matches to boot!

The 45-90 is more gun than most want to shoot for most applications. You don't see that many 45-90's on the line at BPCR shoots, the recoil is a bit much. If you shoot smokeless in the Sharps, there is no reason at all to go with a 45-90, too much case.

45-70 is such a good choice because of a availability of all the components and what the 45-70 is capable of doing as a cartridge with either smokeless or black powder...

Thanks very much and keep em coming!

If he's wanting something really special, it might be a good thing to go with a Hartford in 44-77, the rifle and cartridge that started the road to fame for the Sharps rifle co.
Cases are readily available from Captec, bullet moulds are easily had from Buffalo Arms, Brooks, and Accurate moulds.

He can get that for his second one.

I'm in the group calling for a 30" octagon barrel, Hartford Model, #3, or Roughrider in .45-70, aka 45-2.1", steel shotgun buttplate.
Easier to get components, much more data out there for a beginner, and easier to get to shoot quicker.

Just my $0.02

Ed

If he's hunter, keep the rifle to the lighter side and stick with the 45-70. The Sharps company is fine with smokeless in their 70's, but a bit concerned about it in the larger cartridges.

Set trigger and a high end tang sight are good options too. Their fit and finish are likely the best of any production company in the US. One of the few US rifles that I'd consider an investment.

I wanted something different than a .45-70, so I went with a .45-90 #1 Sporting Rifle



Believe it or not, the wood is "only extra fancy" not presentation

30" std octagon, shot gun buttplate AA Wood finish, sights as shown. Last time it was at the range, it put 3 in 2 inches at 200 yards. The chamber is very tight, so loading is a little fussy, but it is a superbly made rifle.



For the OP, a .45-70 is never a mistake. There are a couple for sale right this moment at Shiloh.

My next one will probably be something lighter. Maybe a Saddle rifle in .40-65 or .38-55

Or maybe a .50-90

beautiful gun!

he is now following this thread himself and really appreciative

How about a little info on the knife in your picture.
I like that a LOT!

The only thing "easier" about the 45-70 is you can buy ammo at Walmart... The 44-77 made the world safe enough the 45 calibers could come out of their secure space...

The only reason they made the .44-77 was as a stop-gap measure 'til they got the .45-70 right. In other words, the only reason to carry a .44-77 is to fight your way to a real fighting rifle, the .45-70.


Please note it was the ".45 Gov't", not the ".44 Gov't".

Ed

Please note,"govt" = plugged up till there's not getting it straight...

My favorite configuration for a hunting rifle is the Saddle Rifle with a 26 inch 1/2 round standard weight barrel. This is a .4-50 SBN but it works well in .45-70 also

Same gun showing the semi-fancy wood

The knife is by KA Swearingen of Las Cruces, NM. His website:

http://www.swearingenknife.com/index.html

The model pictured is his Elk Hunter II. 5" forged & differential tempered 5160 blade with convex edge. It will clean several deer before it needs resharpening.

I also bought this one last year from him, it's his "Der Kamp Knife" with a full tang handle, a mashup of two of his standard models.



I am semi-okay at knife sharpening; he is an artist at sharpening.

i


Well that turned into an expensive damn question...
Thanks for the info!

no problem!

Unless one is an absolute 'puzzy' the 45/90 is a great choice especially for LR events! Blackpowder doesn't kick anyway; just pushes!

Geeez!!

have two Shiloh #1 Sporters, 50-70 and 45-70. I like them both but suggest the 45-70 for most hunting.
If you plan to shoot smokeless powder, the 45-70 probably makes more sense also. I shoot smokeless 100%, much to the chagrin of many.
For sure shotgun butt
I like their wood and got better wood and AA finish
Pewter forend tip looks nice to me
Get a good quality tang sight, like MVA
I asked Kirk from Shiloh what sights to get for hunting, he said a good tang and Beech front sight