Black Powder Cartridge Rifle

[3325]

No BPCR experience. Just acquired a .45-70 Sharps 1877. Suggestions about where to start? Loads, bullet weights, etc.

Will be used mostly for recreational shooting, but I also hope to slay a buffalo with it someday. Probably won’t compete.

 

[Macintosh]

No help, but bumping/following because I think these rifles are super cool. Pictures never hurt. Just sayin’.

 

[schmidty3]

No BPCR experience. Just acquired a .45-70 Sharps 1877. Suggestions about where to start? Loads, bullet weights, etc.

Will be used mostly for recreational shooting, but I also hope to slay a buffalo with it someday. Probably won’t compete.

Wild guess here...

Maybe put a 45 caliber bullet in it on top of 70 grains of black powder

Good luck! Sounds fun. Other then the cleaning part

 

[Wrench]

I'm just starting with my business rifle now. I've shot lots of smokeless but just getting around to 2f swiss.

You can't put too much in. Make sure you compress your powder and or use a drop tube.

 

[3325]

Wild guess here...

Maybe put a 45 caliber bullet in it on top of 70 grains of black powder

Good luck! Sounds fun. Other then the cleaning part

Funny, you are!

I actually appreciate the humor, but all seriousness, there’s apparently options. Some load the case a little more, some a little less. The original military bullet was a 405, but some people load a 500. Some people grease groove and some paper patch.

In addition to just having some fun chunking lead way out yonder in a cloud of smoke, I’d like to slay me a buffler someday. So I’d like to hear from folks who have done likewise.

 

[3325]

No help, but bumping/following because I think these rifles are super cool. Pictures never hurt. Just sayin’.

Out of town for work this week. Try to post a pic or two this weekend.

 

[3325]

A few pics.

1877 Sharps, 30” barrel, octagonal to round.



45 2 1/10 (case length) aka, .45-70



Marked “Old Reliable”

 

[3325]

I'm just starting with my business rifle now. I've shot lots of smokeless but just getting around to 2f swiss.

You can't put too much in. Make sure you compress your powder and or use a drop tube.

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Nice rifle. Looks like an 1874? Pretty sure mine is an 1877.