Calamity Jane - 1874 Sharps Rifle Pic

j8064 · Jul 5, 2017

Many MDS members know I recently acquired a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps.

Thanks to guidance from a "certain MDS mentor" :secret:

(who just happens to shoot a LOT of competition 45-70 rounds in different rifles), I'm getting pretty good at casting boolits and loading my own BP and smokeless 45-70 rounds.

Something new is always an opportunity to learn. At first you don't know what you don't know. While peeling the onion I found this pic of Calamity Jane posing with an 1874 Sharps. She's quite an interesting historical character to learn about.

The pic makes me wonder where that rifle is today...

If you've never fired an 1874 Sharps, it's an experience you'll always remember. I fired mine today - more than once.

Just thought I'd share.

Pensfaninmd · Jul 5, 2017

That's awesome!!!

Bertfish · Jul 5, 2017

I have a Pedersoli Sharps carbine. Love it

Art3 · Jul 5, 2017

Her finger is on the effing tri--nevermind....I'm just not going to look at that part

If you haven't already, I definitely recommend you read this:
https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Buf...qid=1499302385&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+venturino
to go along with your Sharps.

Check out his other books when you want to need a single action revolver or lever action rifle.

And have a look here if you really want to dream: https://shilohrifle.com

Sundazes · Jul 5, 2017

I had a chance to buy one years ago and missed out. I loved shooting it. Awesome rifle.

j8064 · Jul 5, 2017

Art3 said:
Her finger is on the effing tri--nevermind....I'm just not going to look at that part

Already knew that was coming. :lol2:

Since the pic is over 100 years old, I don't think we're gonna have influence on Jane's concept of trigger control...

Augie · Jul 6, 2017

Great rifles and fun to shoot, I keep lusting over this used one at Hendershots.

https://hendershots.net/product/shiloh-sharps-1874-sporter-1-45-110/

Silverlode · Jul 6, 2017

Art3 said:
Her finger is on the effing tri--nevermind....I'm just not going to look at that part

j8064 said:
Already knew that was coming. Since the pic is over 100 years old, I don't think we're gonna have influence on Jane's concept of trigger control...

Meh, probably not such a big deal in the SA era.

FrankOceanXray · Jul 6, 2017

Art3 said:
Her finger is on the effing tri--nevermind....I'm just not going to look at that part

If you haven't already, I definitely recommend you read this:
https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Buf...qid=1499302385&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+venturino
to go along with your Sharps.

Check out his other books when you want to need a single action revolver or lever action rifle.

And have a look here if you really want to dream: https://shilohrifle.com

Calm down Nancy.

JWLaRue · Jul 6, 2017

I recently picked up a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps as well. Haven't had an opportunity to get it to the range yet, but I am beginning the research into (re)loading smokeless powder as well. I'm not currently interested in casting my own bullets, but would be interested in what you might be finding in terms of brand of powder, grains loaded, bullet size, etc. Once I get something to likewise share I'll be glad to post it up as well.

-tnx,
Jeff

TLL · Jul 6, 2017

Is it wrong to think LGBT when I see this pic? j/k. I'm envious, as my shoulders could not take the recoil.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

j_h_smith · Jul 6, 2017

TLL said:
Is it wrong to think LGBT when I see this pic? j/k. I'm envious, as my shoulders could not take the recoil.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Supposedly she had many boyfriends in her short life. She died at the age of 51 from pneumonia.

smokey · Jul 6, 2017

j_h_smith said:
Supposedly she had many boyfriends in her short life. She died at the age of 51 from pneumonia.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhh.... about the many boyfriends, everyone knows where the calamity part of her name came from right?

j_h_smith · Jul 6, 2017

That's Calamity, not Chlamydia..... :innocent0

j8064 · Jul 6, 2017

JWLaRue said:
I recently picked up a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps as well. Haven't had an opportunity to get it to the range yet, but I am beginning the research into (re)loading smokeless powder as well. I'm not currently interested in casting my own bullets, but would be interested in what you might be finding in terms of brand of powder, grains loaded, bullet size, etc. Once I get something to likewise share I'll be glad to post it up as well.

-tnx,
Jeff

According to Pedersoli their 1874 Sharps will handle smokeless loads up to 29,007 CUP and BP loads up to 25,000 CUP. There is plenty of published load data on a wide variety of bullets and powder choices in books and online from powder and bullet manufacturers.

For smokeless powder I started with IMR-3031 because I have it on hand and have many years of experience with it. Most of the bullets I've loaded are cast 405's or 500's. While some published data says you can load up to 49 grs of 3031 behind a 400 gr boolit and still be at 26,300 CUP, that's a little stout for me. I've kept my loads in the 39 to 40 gr range.

For BP, I've used 65 grains (by volume) of FFg with a fiber wad. Low pressure and lots of white smoke. Fun!

.458 seems to be the preferred bullet diameter for JB's. My CB's are 459. Lee makes an 405/457 mold which I have. .457 CB's seem a little small in diameter but so far shoot as well as the Oregon Trail .459 CB's:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo...rail-laser-cast-rifle-bullets-per/1330861.uts

Again, I'm by no means an expert. I'm learning how to load and shoot 45-70 rounds in my Sharps. YMMV.

There are several MDS members who have a lot more experience with this rifle and reloads for it than I.

Hope that helps.

Doctor_M · Jul 6, 2017

Always thought that Calamity Jane looked like Al Delvecio from Happy Days. She was an interesting character, but no beauty. The same has been said about me I'm sure.

j_h_smith · Jul 6, 2017

Doctor_M said:
Always thought that Calamity Jane looked like Al Delvecio from Happy Days. She was an interesting character, but no beauty. The same has been said about me I'm sure.

But you're beautiful on the inside....

Doctor_M · Jul 6, 2017

Yep... you should see my spleen... hubba, hubba. :-)

j_h_smith · Jul 6, 2017

Doctor_M said:
Yep... you should see my spleen... hubba, hubba. :-)

I'm more of a liver kinda guy....

JWLaRue · Jul 6, 2017

j8064 said:
For smokeless powder I started with IMR-3031 because I have it on hand and have many years of experience with it. Most of the bullets I've loaded are cast 405's or 500's. While some published data says you can load up to 49 grs of 3031 behind a 400 gr boolit and still be at 26,300 CUP, that's a little stout for me. I've kept my loads in the 39 to 40 gr range.

.458 seems to be the preferred bullet diameter for JB's. My CB's are 459. Lee makes an 405/457 mold which I have. .457 CB's seem a little small in diameter but so far shoot as well as the Oregon Trail .459 CB's....

I've been looking at the IMR-3031 and -4198 but as of yet hadn't made any real decision. To date I've only used Unique for my 9mm and .38spl loads and I'm not seeing a lot on using that powder. It's looking like the 3031 may be the ticket.

So given the polygonal(?) rifling used I had been siting away from the .459 sized bullets....but if I understand correctly you are using cast bullets of that diameter?

-tnx,
Jeff

Calamity Jane - 1874 Sharps Rifle Pic

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Attachments

Ultimate Member

Throw bread on me

Eqinsu Ocha

Throbbing Member

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

God Bless America

Ultimate Member

2A TEACHER

Ultimate Member

Garrett Co Hooligan #1

Certified Mad Scientist

Ultimate Member

Certified Mad Scientist

Ultimate Member

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics