A while ago, I was looking about at various platforms from which to launch lead. I found myself recently in a most favorable position--I finally got the guns that I wanted! The gun safe is comfortably full. So, what next?
I found myself reading various articles about black powder rifles. I was kinda intrigued by the idea. Then, I started researching BPCR--Black Powder Cartridge Rifles. I was interested to say the least. Then, I went and did it--I finally went and saw "Quigley Down Under", and fell in lust. I HAD to have a rifle like that!!!
A little bit of research turned up a LOT of information. I read about the black powder cartridges everyone was familiar with--.45-70, .45 Colt, .44-40, .30-30, to name some.
I read about the "big fifty"--the .50-90 Sharps rifle. And, some cartridges that are not well known outside of BPCR circles.
I finally decided what I wanted--a Sharps rifle in .45-120. Or as some people know it, .45-120-550 (.458 bullet, 120 grains of black, 550 grain projectile.)
I looked at--where else?--Shiloh Sharps. They manufactured the Quigley guns. They turn out a quality product. They also have a 2 year waiting list.
A bit more research turned up another company--right there in Big Timber, MT, in the same vicinity as the Shiloh company. This company is C. Sharps--the C. stands for "Christian", the name of the inventor of the Sharps rifle. It is my understanding that at least one or two of the current crew are direct descendants. After a few calls, and a bit of dickering, it was done.
I spec'd out a Bridgeport Sporting Rifle, with the following items:
34" Heavy Octagon barrel
Semi Fancy wood
Pistol-gripped shotgun type stock
Case colored receiver
Globe front with spirit level
Long range rear sight
Caliber, .45-120
$500.00 for a deposit, and the rifle was in production.
I got to thinking that this was my first custom rifle, and that I wanted it to be a bit more "special". So, I made the following upgrades:
Extra fancy stock and forend;
French Gray receiver, w/my initials on the loading lever, and
German silver nosecap on the forend.
I spent the next week ordering the stuff I needed to load ammunition for the cartridge and finding some black powder. After getting everything in, I loaded up 20 rounds to break the rifle in.
It should be finished by the end of this week--a range report will be coming!
Here's a preview of the ammunition: Lyman 500 gr. spire point, 115.0 gr. Goex 1F with .620 compression; inside, one .030 overpowder wad, .060 grease cookie, .030 sealer wad.
I found myself reading various articles about black powder rifles. I was kinda intrigued by the idea. Then, I started researching BPCR--Black Powder Cartridge Rifles. I was interested to say the least. Then, I went and did it--I finally went and saw "Quigley Down Under", and fell in lust. I HAD to have a rifle like that!!!
A little bit of research turned up a LOT of information. I read about the black powder cartridges everyone was familiar with--.45-70, .45 Colt, .44-40, .30-30, to name some.
I read about the "big fifty"--the .50-90 Sharps rifle. And, some cartridges that are not well known outside of BPCR circles.
I finally decided what I wanted--a Sharps rifle in .45-120. Or as some people know it, .45-120-550 (.458 bullet, 120 grains of black, 550 grain projectile.)
I looked at--where else?--Shiloh Sharps. They manufactured the Quigley guns. They turn out a quality product. They also have a 2 year waiting list.
A bit more research turned up another company--right there in Big Timber, MT, in the same vicinity as the Shiloh company. This company is C. Sharps--the C. stands for "Christian", the name of the inventor of the Sharps rifle. It is my understanding that at least one or two of the current crew are direct descendants. After a few calls, and a bit of dickering, it was done.
I spec'd out a Bridgeport Sporting Rifle, with the following items:
34" Heavy Octagon barrel
Semi Fancy wood
Pistol-gripped shotgun type stock
Case colored receiver
Globe front with spirit level
Long range rear sight
Caliber, .45-120
$500.00 for a deposit, and the rifle was in production.
I got to thinking that this was my first custom rifle, and that I wanted it to be a bit more "special". So, I made the following upgrades:
Extra fancy stock and forend;
French Gray receiver, w/my initials on the loading lever, and
German silver nosecap on the forend.
I spent the next week ordering the stuff I needed to load ammunition for the cartridge and finding some black powder. After getting everything in, I loaded up 20 rounds to break the rifle in.
It should be finished by the end of this week--a range report will be coming!
Here's a preview of the ammunition: Lyman 500 gr. spire point, 115.0 gr. Goex 1F with .620 compression; inside, one .030 overpowder wad, .060 grease cookie, .030 sealer wad.
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