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The change in ownership and direction of Badger Barrels has been a game changer.

Shiloh's well-deserved reputation is based in considerable part on the quality of their barrels. In fact, if they sold their barrels separately they wouldn't be able to keep up with the demand.

Paul

Since last fall, I have heard lots of stories about Badger barrels current availability with CSharps, Miroku, CPA and others. I'm not so sure the game has changed for those folks. I heard Ernie is still working and I heard a lot of other stuff. I have no idea what is true or not, but if anyone REALLY knows, feel free to dish.

I've heard similar things about Green Mountain.

Point is, you really need to get a handle on the current state of things you have under consideration.

Shiloh's quality seems to be a constant, and if anything seems to have just gotten better over the years.

Paul

I seem to have kicked the bee hive, here. Good info and thanks to all for your experience. I smell smoke!

Uncas, No real smoke but it did bring a few of us out of the woodwork. That's good! Now, let us know what you have in mind.

I will also add that I don't know what Shiloh's stated policy is with regard to warrranty work on rifles owned by other than the original purchaser, but in my case they have treated me very, very well.

Paul

Uncas, I agree with 303 - what would you spec in a Shiloh for instance and for what sorts of purposes.

There is a 4th way to get what you want in a Sharps. Buy a plain jane version used and rebuild it. This could take longer than ordering a new one and may cost more however.

I have an old C Sharps 45-31/4", I think it has a Badger barrel, sure shoots better than my no talent azz can shoot it.

Gunner

The NEWER Shiloh barrels are apparently a lot more desirable than once.

12-13 Years ago, and forward a bit, I re-barreled a LOT of Shilohs.

There's one on Steve Rhoades' site, as we peck, A Roughrider in my .38-50 Rem Hep chambering.

All the owners called out an improvement with the fresh Badgers.

The Shiloh that's on Rhoades' Site is the SQUAREST Sharps action I've ever worked with,......It drove tacks, in the "Fireforming Stage", for three different shooters, with LOTS of witnesses.

adendum.......

It would not just be conjecture that a company's barrel quality would improve with time, it would be, more likely, a virtual CERTAINTY.

GTC

Very old "Farmingdale" Shilohs and preBryan Shilohs had poorly chambered barrels. This is almost certainly what you are refering to. Ernie told me that those old Shilohs were responsible for giving Badger Barrel Company life as rebarreling them is how he started his business of barrel making.

Any Shiloh from the Bryan period (denoted with a leading or trailing "B" in the serial number), has a fine barrel.

Didn't know that

Farmers had the "mile-long" freebore. Had one of those myself. Bought a barrel from Ernie to fix it. Hence, the conversation. I prefer Farmers for a couple of reasons, but they are a barrel job in waiting if they haven't been done already.

Cost-benefit appropriately when considering.

Here's what Pete at C. Sharps just told me about their barrels, "Badger is no more. Was bought out by Wilson Manufacturing. They are making barrels, but we have not received any from them as yet. We still have some Badger barrels in stock, and have been using Green Mountain match grade barrels with good success and feedback. The Green Mountain bbls are double stress relieved, and cut rifled for the Sharps. Their barrels for the Highwall, lowwall, 75, and Hepburns are button rifled."

Thanks for the update. I prefer GM barrels over all others in recent years and my two best rifles sport them. They are VERY competitive.

Thanks, Brent, I have liked GM barrels on muzzle loaders but have no experience with them for BPC shooting. Well, maybe I've got one but just didn't know it.

This one looks like it has potential
http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-275P-D.png , maybe have him make a bit larger meplat for filling the magazine..

I had him come up with the 43-470 p for the 44-77 and it's working very well. Gave Kurt some and he said his 44's liked them.

I got a Bill Bagwell blade on the way Tex.

Gunner

There is an interesting rifle in Shiloh's "ready to go" rack. It's a '74 Sharps #3 Sporting Rifle in .45/70 with a heavy 26" octagon barrel. That does appeal to me and it looks like it was made following the original shown on page 203 in Sellers' book on Sharps Firearms. All it would need is a sporting tang sight. It isn't a long-range gun but it would hold its own for mid-range shooting.

I own both , 2 C. Sharps and 2 Shilohs , The workmanship on the four are great although Shiloh has nicer wood. All are good shooters.I like the C.Sharps tang sights. I had the hammer screws loosen up on the C. Sharps and on one of my C. Sharps the hammer spring broke. No problems with the Shilohs.