Home Forums Hunting & Shooting BPCR Want to try BPCR....sorry dear

Hey guys, looking for advice/opinions on a clown like me looking for something new that goes bang that I can spend my hard earned dollars on. Been wanting to try this blackpowder cartridge thing for a while. I have a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in 45/70 I guess I could try for this(can I ?), but would really like a single shot smoke pole. Wondering if any of you all have tried or seen anyone with one of those Pedersoli's like Cabelas sells. I would love a Sharps or Ballard built gun and I know they are top quality, but I drive pick-ups that cost a lot less, and if I drive real fast here at night them old pick-ups can usually put some venison on the table. Do most of you guys cast your own slugs or buy them. As far as caliber goes, I've heard the 40-65 is known for accuracy but the sound of a 45-110 makes my heart warm and ears constantly ring anyway. Just looking for input. I am new to this site and just enjoy "talking" guns, reloading, hunting and most politically incorrect stuff. Thanks...Nick

The Pedersoli will put a lot of meat on the table, but think of how much you could save if you quit hunting with your truck and put the money on a Shiloh.

But the Pedersoli is a lotta gun. Get a .45 though. The 70 or 90 if you plan to shoot a lot. The 110 if you shoot less.

Just my tcw,
Brent

Brent, every year there are thousands of guys returning home to wives, girlfriends, worse still, to homes where guys live...they have failed to connect. No venison, no bar steaks, or speed goat filet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> After spending thousands of dollars, countless hours at the range, only to return home to find their couch warming companions have filled the larder with a '97 Buick Regal, headlights on, horn blaring at 55 mph.... Ya think we could wire up one of those big Sharps bullets for light and sound, then slow it down to 55? It's a killer I tell ya! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I have used a Sharps, a highwall, several muzzleloaders, an Escort, and and F150 to put meat on the table in recent years. I find that they all kill equally well, but I have never tried anything at the pedestrian pace of 55mph. It's 70 or bust for me.

I have considered paper patching the Escort at one time, but that never worked out. I know it's done however (if you see that old Enterprise car rental commercial on TV you can see an example in action).

Brent

Hey Nick

Don't know where you are in Illinois, but there is a BPCRS shoot this weekend (Dec 17 & 18) at the Effingham County Sportsmans Club.

Temperature should be brisk but invigorating (bring your insulated coveralls)

We usually get 20 or 30 shooters however we may be a little light as some like it warmer than our balmy December Illinois temperatures.

Come on down and you will get to see a wide range of single shots along with varied opinions about why their gun & cartridge is the best for BPCRS.

PM me if you need directions at ruff house 9 @ insightbb . com (remove spaces)

Gary

Nick,

Wecome to the BPCR game, from the tone of your post its only a matter of time.

Pathfinder makes some good points about going to a shoot and looking at some of the different rifles and calibers. most of the guys at these shoots will even let you shot a little to get the idea.

The Pedersoli's are pretty fair rifles, but today there ain't no such thing as cheap. even the italian rifles cost a ton. one thing you might consider is giving Shiloh a call they usually have a rifle or two on the rack ready to sell now. Some times the price is damn competitive with a Pedersoli as well.

Caliber is a personal choice to some degree. it is subjective as well as some folks like this and some like that. your mentioning of the 40-65, it is a great caliber, and probably more Silhouette matches are shot and won with this caliber than any other. The 40-65 is pretty easy to load for and there are no surprises with it. The 45-70 is also an excellent choice as a first rifle, components are cheap they almost always shoot well and are readly available. The 45-70 or the 40-65 both would serve you well.

The 45-110 is also a good caliber, just not a good caliber for anyone starting out. Brass and componenets cost almostt double what the 45-70 or 40-65 cost. They "CAN" be a real bear to get to shoot "If you are just starting out" and there is a lot to deal with, with this caliber. you as a new shooter should think something like this.

"I want a BPCR rifle, and want to learn this sport the right way and as painless as possible" The 45-110 is not for the faint of heart nor the begining shooter. the recoil can be tough if you plan on shooting any competition where you shoot anywhere from 40 to 80 bullets a day. The 45-70 or the 40-65 will teach you the sport the right way. Then there is this to think about. If you do indeed buy a 45-110 and decide you where a damn fool and wish you had gotten a more managble 45-70. What do you do? Well in the case of the 45-110 first in a Sharps replica you will need to purchase a new barrel and have the rifle rebarreled and chambered to the milder caliber. The Sharps style collar at the reciever end of the barrel in A Sharps almost always precludes just cutting back and rechambering. If though you do the right thing and get a 45-70 and learn the ends and outs of the game of BPCR, and then decide you would like a 45-110. It is a simple matter of just having a good smith run a 45-110 reamer into your 45-70 and rechambering it to 45-110.

Good Luck and as I said welcome

Gunny

$5-110 are cannons. Here is my brother shooting my original and learning the hard way. Get a 45-70

NO padding on a bare shoulder?
..."sadist" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

What'd you expect, he's from New York. Look at his face, priceless/kodak moment. His eyes are crossed to boot. Flinched to.

Kelley O.

Well that is a kodak moment alright, damn!! his eyes are crossed becuase his face just slammed into that sight, look at the staff.

Best picture I ever saw to explan the reason not to get a 45-110. imagine doing that 60 times in a Silhouette match.

Gunny

I think he is a masochist. I however AM a Sadist <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Kelly, I shoot that cannon regularly for 60 - 80 rds just for fun an I really do have a ball! Did any of you guys ever hear of how the 19th Century Sergeants used to screw with idiot recruits??? The INFANTRY load fo the 45-70 RIFLE was a 500 grain full charge. The Cavalry loading was a lighter bullet and reduced charge for the carbine. When the Sgt. wanted to put the blocks to a smart assed recruit he' substitute an Infantry cartridge for the Cavalry cartridge and watch the fun!! Let's just say I set my brother up for being a smart ass. After all I have to live up to my namesake don't I??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh fellas, I am not a competition shooter. I just love to shoot it and I take it hunting up in the Adirondacks. I learn quite a bit from your posts but I am pretty pleased that I can keep to using the most basic stuff. You fellas are comp shooters and go scientific. Gunny, I literally LUCKED into getting an original and I wanted the big rifle so I could use it for (hopefully) a big game hunt soon. I ain't particularly recoil shy as I said and I agree the new fella ought to get a 45-70. He'll never be sorry if he does.

..............own up to it , Evil, doin' things like this, TO YER' OWN BROTHER, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

.............that's what gotcher yer name, inna first place.

Didn't you have that same pic up, a while back?

ROTFLMAO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

GTC <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

As a matter of fact, I did, but it seemed to be highly appropriate to the current discussion. The absolute BEST dirty tricks ever played on me or played by me on someone else have always been by or to family or close friends. The big Sharps is a PERFECT trap. " How'dja like to shoot a REAL buffalo gun??"" I LOVE the expressions on their faces! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well Nick you missed a good chance to enjoy some excellent Illinois weather today.

Temperatures never got above 24 and disregarding the frozen presoaked patches no other reports of anything freezing and falling off were reported.

Rick "Mooseless" Montague once again fed the crew in admirable fashion and a good time was had by all.

There were Shiloh and Pedersoli Sharps, Brownings, old and reproduction Hi-Walls a couple of beautiful Ballards at least one Rolling Block and a not ready for prime time Hepburn to look at and (after asking permission) fondle.

Our next shoot will not be till March now, so keep reading these boards and come and join us for what I think is the second most fun thing you can do outdoors <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Gary

Flask, I wish I could have gotten out there last weekend. Keep me posted as the date in March gets closer. I'd love to check it out. I'm up around DeKalb so about 2-3 hours away? What type of range do you shoot at. How many yards and what type targets. Keep me posted and thanks for the reply.

Dekalb is just a hop, skip and a jump away, in fact Glenn Fewless who posts as HST on some of the boards often comes down from Wisconsin to shoot with us, we also get guys from Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee sometimes (we keep inviting some of the big name boys from Kansas and Kalifornia to come and shoot with us Illinois hillbillies but they are yet to grace us with their presence <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In fact you should also check out theses sites

http://shilohrifle.com/forums/

http://www.bpcr.net/

We shoot Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette which is Chickens offhand at 200, Pigs @ 300, Turkeys @ 400 (ok 385) and Rams @ 500 all from cross sticks. Check out these boards and you'll get a feel for what the rules are.

Our matches are a little less formal than some but we do have fun! and a better bunch of guys you'll never meet.

Next match should be the third weekend in March (two day match) and then every month through next December.

There are also some BPCRS matches in Alma, MI - Long range matches in Lodi, WI - and Gong matches in Iowa that you should check in to before shooting season starts again.

Good Luck!

Gary

OK, Gary,

Was that an offical invite? If I come what will Rick be cooking? I never met a meal I didn't like, so it makes no never mind.

Ya, see guys, I was feed mighty well at a match, ST Louis to be exact, and I just met the two reprobates just mentioned. Now were else can you travel and get invited to a meal by guys you just met. That's what it's all about.

Kelley O.

Hey Rick! we just graduated from hillbillies to reprobates... get out the dictionary and see what we are!

You bet Kelly thats an official invite.. but your gonna have to wait till it warms up just a bit... I told Rick when we left the range yesterday that I am never going to shoot in that kind of weather again (at least not till next December <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />)

If Rick knows your coming he'll probably cook his special tenderloin on the grill, but it doesn't matter, it's all good <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Stop by on your way next spring and pick up the spotted dog (I had hives one time as a kid...definitely no fun) and I'll bring the beer for our evening repast

Gary