[Dithsoer]

I have heard that their are Sharp's reproductions being made by a few companies that are percussion only. They have the sliding breech mechanism but aren't meant to take cartridges, instead being loaded either as a standard muzzle loader or from the breech with a nitrated paper cartridge. Where can I get one of these? What kind of quality can I expect? I checked with a few mail order companies but they only had the b.p. cartridge types.

I just seen further down a question about paper cartridges in Sharp's rifles. This sounds like what I'm looking for but I don't know the model/year to look for or someone who sells them. The rifle in the other post looks like a short barrel model while I was looking for a full-length rifle.

[ArmedBear]

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/

Note the reviews. It seems that some of them are missing some sort of breech seal, which makes them cheaper but also makes them spew flame jets from the action when fired.

Also, there's a thread just below about them:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=305721

[dogrunner]

Try Dixie Gunworks........I believe they've an online catalog as well.........paper one is worth picking up anyway just for the amount of data.

Just like any other gun, quality varies by maker. Far as BP commercial products go I'm partial to Pedersoli and Uberti, tho there are others that do good work....anyway, check out Dixie and I seem to recall that Cabela's was selling a version too.

[ArmedBear]

Cabela's sells .45-xx cartridge 1874's, I believe.

1874 Pedersolis are all I've ever messed with. Pedersoli makes really nice ones. I've read they make the best 1859/63 models, also, unless you're looking at the high-end US-made guns, but I have no firsthand evidence.

[Redd Flynt]

I have the 1863 Sharps Sporting rifle by Pedersoli in .450 caliber. The use of paper carts is faster for reloading the second shot but I prefer to load with loose powder.

The best bullets are the standard 500 grain .45-70 or any of the heavy .45 lead ones. The lighter ones don't like the 1-18 twist.

The Lawrence Plate does an OK job of sealing the breech but it's not perfect. I get a very small amount of gas out the top.

My loading procedure is thus; Run a short nylon brush in the chamber to knock out the crud from the previous round. Insert the bullet with a seating from the breech. Pour in powder behind the bullet and close the breech. Cap the nipple and fire.

I made a special pouch to hold each of the loading items in the sequence used. It takes about as long to load as a standard muzzle loading rifle but is all done from the breech.

I also keep a sectioned rod in the bag so I can clean the bore if needed.

As to accuracy, I have an 1874 Sharps in .45-70 and both rifles will shoot the same groups.

Regards, Redd