Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Loading Shiloh Sharps

My brother-in-law got a new Shiloh Sharps reproduction in 45-70. He asked me to load for it because I've reloaded for 40 years, BUT only for modern rifles. I'm not confident and don't want to mess up his lovely new treasure. I have a 45-70 die set, brass, etc. But are there special considerations for thee, like only cast lead bullets? Any advice appreciated.

Based on my experience with a nice Pedersoli Sharps in 45-70 my suggestion for starters is not to get overly fancy. If you want smokeless loads, my suggestion would be to start with something around a 400-425 gr cast bullet. Work up to something around 1300 fps or so. That will duplicate the original black powder ballistics. Good results can normally be gotten with Accurate 5744, Hodgdon or IMR 4198, or Reloder 7 over a CCI 200 primer. If he wants jacketed, the 400 gr Speer is pretty good. Do you cast?

The powder companies will have specific data. If you need more details I can pull out my notes tomorrow.

Mark in GA

Thanks Mark. I don't cast but he is more/less retiring so he might start to. I don't think he wants jacketed, he heard the barrels don't like the copper.

So just buy cast bullets, check my loading manuals to determine loads per your suggestions, and load like any other cartridge?

I live about an hour away from Big Timber MT where both Sharps companies are located. The people at Shiloh are extremely nice and helpful . Don't be afraid to call them for questions and they also have a online forum . The ladies at the desks and phones are extremely knowledgeable. The Shiloh rifles that I own are very easy to load for either smokeless or black powder. Accrate 5744 is hard to beat if not using black, But the guns are really fun with BP. Jump in with both feet.

According to their website, Sharps 45-70's will easily handle standard powders and loads.

Not advised though for the 90's and up.

If one goes black, however, his loads should never leave a void in the cartridge . Shiloh has a site and forum where one can find a wealth of info.