Sharps 45-90

[gunner336]

Recently acquired a Cimarron Pedersoli Sharps "Quigley" 45-90 black powder rifle with full target sights. Any one have any info or shooting expierence with these.

[Mike A]

Have a look at the latest issue of Rifle Magazine. There's a long article on BCPR rifles there by Mike Venturino, a lover of Sharps and .45-90s (I like Sharps, but have always preferred John Browning's "improvement," the Winchester Single Shot 1885--Venturino disagrees). Have fun with your boomer!

[Peter in CA]

Re: Sharps 45-90

gunner336,
I have a Pedersoli 45-90 and LOVE IT....

My load is as follows: Starline brass, CCI-200 primer, as much Swiss 1 1/2 black powder as you can get into the case and still seat the bullet (about 70 grains by volume for me), 60 thou card wad on top of powder, 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick lube cookie (I use SPG lube), another card wad, top off with a 525 or 550 grain bullet, lubed with SPG lube. Hell of a load. You can get bullets online. I got mine at Montana Precision Swaging.

Absolutely check to see if the rounds chamber in your rifle BEFORE you get to the range. This is very easy to do at your bench with a Sharps. If they do not fit, things can be corrected at the bench much more easily that at the range. Been there, done that.

My Pedersoli is more accurate that I can shoot. Good luck with yours.

Cleaning is VERY important with black powder, so go online and read up on cleaning after shooting to keep your bore in good shape.

Peter in CA

[Mike A]

Venturino also mentions that his ".45-90" loads use 70gr. powder (Isn't that a .45-70???).

[tteng]

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/board,77.0.html

A lot of information there.

I have a 45-70 Pedersoli-sharps. I've tried 35-45 gr(wt) of varget w/ 350gr plated bullets from Berry's, and it's pleasant to shoot those. Fairly accurate too, out to 100yrd that is (such distance does injustice to this rifle). OTOH, I've also stuffed 70gr(vol) of Goex 2F BP w/ 405gr lead bullet on top. 70gr of 2F BP will fill up the 45-70 case, the bullet actually compresses the powder when seated. It's a stout load nontheless, even for a 12-lb rifle. BTW, be sure to get familiar w/ the set-trigger, it can be touchy (but fun) if you adjust it too light.