What’s the general consensus on this rifle? Good quality? Accurate? Can modern .45-70 ammo be used in it?
Yes. Good quality and accuracy
I've had two an 1875 and 1874. I still have the 1874 in 45-70 and it has the tightest lockup of any Sharp's rifle I've owned from any make.
Honestly my 1874 was meh in accuracy but my 1874 C. Sharp's is wonderful and there's no issue with an modern load in it.
The Sharps action was ahead of its time. I still regularly shoot an 1859 carbine. It was in a batch issued to 10 Ill Vol Cav in 1863. Originally the paper cartridge guns, it was one that was converted to 50-70 in 1867 and used on the western frontier until replaced by the Springfield later on. Big, slow bullets of soft lead. Not a DRT deer gun but they run a bit after being shot as the bullets don't open up at all. I always get a funny look by guys at the range and in the deer woods.
If Custer's men had still been armed with their 50/70 Sharps they would have done better at the Little Bighorn. But the army had them turned in for trapdoor carbines in 45/70 and inside primed Benet copper cased ammo that caused problems in battle.
If Custer's men had still been armed with their 50/70 Sharps they would have done better at the Little Bighorn. But the army had them turned in for trapdoor carbines in 45/70 and inside primed Benet copper cased ammo that caused problems in battle.
I always go back to them being in the open on the side of a hill. With no cover and outnumbered it was just a matter of time anyways
The Sharps action was ahead of its time. I still regularly shoot an 1859 carbine. It was in a batch issued to 10 Ill Vol Cav in 1863. Originally the paper cartridge guns, it was one that was converted to 50-70 in 1867 and used on the western frontier until replaced by the Springfield later on. Big, slow bullets of soft lead. Not a DRT deer gun but they run a bit after being shot as the bullets don't open up at all. I always get a funny look by guys at the range and in the deer woods.
I've long wanted to shoot a deer with a 50-70
Original 45-70 cases were copper. Didn't work out...
I cast mine at 1-30 tin to lead what do you call soft?.mb