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Went to the range today, taking my new 1851's I got from SIXGUN and my .50 cal Shiloh Sharps 1863 Military 3 band rifle. I started with the Colt 1851's at 25 yards. Load was 32 grains, wonder wad, and a .454 ball. What fun!!!!!! The short front sights present a problem. I have read that most SASS guys send these guns off for some mods, one of them being a taller front sight. I can see why because one pistol shot dead on line but 18 inches high, and the other shot 12 inches high but a bit to the left. At 25 yards, groups were about 4 inches. One of the pistols loading ram arm kept coming off the barrel after each shot. Not a function of the loads, just a weak spring. I will have to send both off for some SASS gunsmithing before I consider carrying them for sure.
Then on to the .50 sharps where I started at 100 yards. Got to admit that my eyes are struggling to see the proper sight picture on these sights. Half way through the shooting I put on my reading glasses and things got a lot more fun. Generally the groups with this rifle, which shoots a 435 grain bullet behind 58 grains of fffg and lit off by musket cap, run about three inches at one hundred yards. The guy next to me came over as I was shooting and was talking and I could tell he wanted to shoot it so I loaded it up and passed it to him. He shot at a white piece of target paper above the targets and hit high but really liked the rifle. My next shot as he was watching the loading process was a direct hit on the paper and it blew over the berm. As you might remember, this 1863 has been modified by having tool steel powder cases made which I load the powder in and seal with a cork. I load the bullet to the rifling, insert one of the cases, seal the chamber and prime the nipple and let loose.
Once I got the glasses on and the wind calmed down a bit, the groups closed in. Below is my last 6 shot group at 100 yards. I definately think the black powder year is a go once I can get the pistols shooting to POA. I had no problems with primers locking the pistol up but the gunsmithing I have planned will address that issue and prevent any chance of it happening. All in all, a fun day with 28 rifle shots and 48 pistol balls going down range. Clean up is over and I am ready to go again.
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blessings
Last edited by rjohns94 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
alnitak, this rifle is more in line with close hunting or squirmish shooting.
the 1877 in 45-90 Classic Sharps that I have will work well at the long range matches. It has better sights and is set up for that type of shooting. It also has a longer barrel (34"), tang sight and variable aperature front sights. I was just out burning charcoal when I shot this one. When I get that one to the range, I will post a range report
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
rjohns, your the daddy I am really impressed with your decision to go this way, well done.
Why did you go with them steel cases ? I ask as I with no first hand experiance would of thourght using a paper cartridge would be more simple. Also will that Sharps shoot a soft lead slug? I ask because would it be better medicine on deer? Thanks.
Nath.
You definately need a sharps!!!! Best of luck in that choice. Which ones do you like?
Nath,
I'm not sure what you mean by a soft slug but this bullet I think will shoot right through the shoulders of a deer. Will have to see this coming fall. If you are discussing round balls, I suppose it will shoot them but with the twist in the barrel, I think the bullets would be more stable. The steel cases keep the champer a lot cleaner than using paper patch. I have also had 100% reliability with cartridge method. I haven't taken the time to make up some paper cartridges and get that all figured out. I will keep everyone informed of the progress of the BP firearms against the critters I will hunt this year. Perhaps if I get these 1851's sorted, I may take a deer with one of them too.
Blessings
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
Mike: I shoot outdoors at Pinchot range. I don't have a home outdoor range. I shoot indoors at 2nd amendment arms.
Jeremy: The 1863 is a fun rifle and I think one of the best sharps to choose for deer hunting here in the east because the rifle is really light and points so very well. The other sharps are much heavier and generally have longer barrels.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
Mike I apologize.
If I remember right, back last fall I had offered to be your sponsor to
Join the York Rifleman. If you are still interested we need to make that
happen.
Mike,
Very cool indeed. Thats a cool setup you have with the steel cases. You got me thinking......... but I guess it just would not be the same without a pair of 1851's to go along with the Sharps.
I am glad the 51's are shooting good. (for the most part-heigth excluded). That little Sharps is a very interesting rifle--one that I would like to play with.--------Good shootin' pard. ----------Sixgun
The tool steel cartridges were turned to the exact dimensions of the cast of the chamber, the rear plate off the gas seal was reworked. The steel cases were centered drilled to accept a flash hole. I have a simple tool with a magnet in it that allows for easy extraction. The sights were also laser centered and milled to bring point of impact to point of aim. The corks were hand punched that seal the cartridges. The bullets hand cast and pan lubed. Lots of love and fun went into this rifle.
Sigun: The 1851's are really kewl, looking forward to sending them out for some work and getting them back a lot more reliable. Looking forward to that day a lot.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
Nath, yes it could use pure lead bullets. The bullets shown are 30-1 but I just cast another 100 in pure lead. They should be a bit softer and will do well for deer size game. The bullets on the target were unfired just to be clear. Velocities are in the 1200fps range
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
the targets were at 100 yards so accurracy is not bad and out to 200yards, it would be an easy shot. However, the farthest I have ever shot a deer is about 30 yards. I hunt in the woods of the North East and just don't have or take long shots. I am sure if I take this to texas for a ram, or pig, I will limit my shots to under 100 yards. For fun, i shoot out to 200 yards but I don't consider that hunting. That's just me, not saying anything about any others. I like to get close and then shoot.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
