Winchester 73 or Pedersoli Sharps

I voted for the Pedersoli Sharps, and because I love handloading, I'd load it with black powder. Using black powder in a BPCR opens up a whole new world in handloading for the handloading enthusiast.
I was sort of in the same position as you about 25 years ago. Only my wife ordered me a Shiloh Sharps 45-110 for our anniversary (it was about our 20th) 6 months before she told me about it. "Quigley" hadn't been around very long then, and there was still a 2 year back order on Shiloh Sharps rifles. But when I finally got it, I loved it! Still do. I don't use it for anything in particular, but I love building black powder filled cartridges for it. Like I say, BPCR loading is a different world than smokeless powder loading.
That said, I'm sure there are a few BPCR hunting enthusiasts on this board, my Wyoming neighbor, Dog Soldier is one of them. And I'd bet there are a few long range BPCR silhouette shooters here too. A Pedersoli Sharps 45-70 would work great for either activity. I just haven't yet used my Shiloh Sharps for either. I can dream though.

i would say,get the sharps, but i have quite a few lever actions. eastbank.

I would choose the 73 , it is on my want list . My decision would be 73 or 92 in 45c because I already have a SSA in 45c .

Sharps!

I shoot a pedersoli in 45 70 with black powder, 405 grain spg lubed bullets it is actually a better gun than two previously owned c sharps arms guns. I also shoot a 73 but in 44 40. it feeds easier is more accurate than any of the 357 lever guns I had. so I voted other, a 73 in 44 40 first then the next day get the 45 70 lol. bob

If I had the money, a Sharps would be my very next firearms purchase. I have always loved the lines and balance of them, plus the innovation for their time. Not neglecting the historical impact of the '73, I simply prefer the Sharps.

OUCH....That's a tough one. Not sure how I'd go on it. I've always wanted a Sharps since my frontier/buckskinner days, I'd also love a small, handy , carbine in .357 as well. I'd probably decide on the '73 as it's more "practicable" but ooohhhh to give up on the Sharps!!! Whichever you go with I think that little lady is a keeper and you might throw in an extra hug or two.

I had a '73 in .357. It was the case-color hardened short rifle with upgraded wood. I really liked it it, and if it hadn't been so pretty, I'd have hung onto it. I'm just at a point where I want working guns and don't want to beat up a nice rifle. That being said, if you're getting a '73, do .44-40. It'd be my choice if getting one again (and I probably will, when I have the funds and ability to keep a gun just for looking pretty). Just feels right to have a classic cartridge in a rifle originally chambered for it. If I wanted another .357 lever gun, I'd find a pre-Remington Marlin 1894.

My 2¢, worth what you paid for it....

That is a Tough call. They are both winners. The new Winchester 73s are very high quality and I have looked into acquiring one myself in 44/40. I have an old 1873 in 32/20 and well, what can you say about the 1873 that hasn't already been said over and over, it simply is one of the most interesting, historical and charismatic rifles there is and a whole lotta fun. And, having a 92 in .357 I can attest to how much fun and useful .357/38 special lever guns really are. On the other hand, I really enjoy the 45/70s and the Sharps has plenty of history and charisma to go around as well. I guess I'd have to boil it down this way if it were me; If I were getting the rifle more as a shooter I'd have to give the nod to the 73 in .357. If I were looking for a rifle that was more unique to own and less often seen at the range or on dealers shelves I'd lean towards the Sharps.

I voted for the Winchester '73 because personally I would spend more time at the range and in the field with it.
I have Ruger Blackhawks in .357 and .45 Colt and would love to have accompanying lever guns.

The Sharps would definitely be cool to have though.

I faced that decision myself. I chose the '73, because it was cheaper to buy, and reload for. I also thought I'd shoot it more often, which would likely was the case.

Part of what swayed me, was that if I was going to get a Sharps, I'd want a Shiloh, over a Pedersoli. That ups the ante.

I went with a nicer Uberti 1873, and haven't regretted it from a quality standpoint.

I'm sure there are some nice Pedersoli Sharps...but if you've held them and the Shiloh, you'll want the Shiloh.

FWIW, you have good taste.

Well no surprise here guys. You know .308 Norma, east bank, and I are voting "Sharps". I see you live on the Front Range. The Sharps can be hand-loaded with light cast bullets for close range shooting. You can cast the .405 bullets to blast a dusty Butte 1/2 mile away. Remember the lever guns were stored in Buffalo camps for night guards. The Sharps was the working gun.
Shooting the Sharps with cast bullets and BP cost about the same as .357 mags. Which rifle? I have owned many Sharps. I would choose the well fitted deadly accurate "Cimarron Sharps" offering. It is an up graded PDS.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/pe...-under-sharps-rifles-45-70-34-oct-barrel.html

I've got an original '73 and love it, it's a .38-40. Pricey ammo, but not difficult to reload. The current Winchester is what I'd wish mine to look like cosmetically, beautiful gun with the case hardening colors.

Not a big fan of recoil. I had an original 45-70 Trapdoor carbine and it was not enjoyable for me to shoot more than a few times in a row. I've got a Rossi 92 in .357 and I can shoot boxes through it at a time with no recoil regret.

Obviously, I'd go for the Winchester.

my charles daly little sharps in 44-40 , the scope on it at that time is a 10x unertl .i shot a doe with it useing the original tang sight and a cast 200 gr bullet with 10grs unique. eastbank.

DAP90 said:

I haven’t picked a specific version yet. The last one I had was half octagon, half round barreled and had a tang mounted peep site that had elevation but no windage adjustment, which was annoying. I'd like to have a full octagon barrel this time. I'm not even really sure what the differences between models is yet. I need to do some research if I go in that direction. The model you linked is a bit more than I was hoping to spend. Looks like I can get the Model 1874 Silhouette Rifle for around $1300, which would be fine. I'd need to add a Creedmoor, which would add some, but is still doable.

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Yes, I have a PDS made for Cabela's years ago. It is a plain working rifle and has served me well. When you choose the lower end rifles you will need to also spend $400 dollars and up for quality sights.

eastbank said:

my charles daly little sharps in 44-40 , the scope on it at that time is a 10x unertl .i shot a doe with it useing the original tang sight and a cast 200 gr bullet with 10grs unique. eastbank.

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That Unertl scope is diffidently an up grad .

Probably the `73 for me, in something other than .357Mag. Would prefer a .38-40, .44-40 or even the .45Colt.

You mentioned trolling the farm and plinking at stuff. For me, the Sharps would be relegated to bench use. To put things in perspective, double rifles are usually considered to be pretty heavy. I've been eyeballing the Merkel .500NE double rifle. At 10lbs, the Sharps is 3lbs heavier. No thanks.

You might want to look at the scaled down "Little Sharps" for a handier version.

Can't imagine paying $1579.99 to $1739.99 for any current Winchester, myself. Think I'd go with a C. Sharps rifle over a Pedersoli too. More money though.
It's not just the chambering you need to decide on for either rifle. You get to pick a barrel length and weight, finish, sights, type of model the clone is, etc, etc. snicker.

Sunray said:

Can't imagine paying $1579.99 to $1739.99 for any current Winchester, myself. Think I'd go with a C. Sharps rifle over a Pedersoli too. More money though.
It's not just the chambering you need to decide on for either rifle. You get to pick a barrel length and weight, finish, sights, type of model the clone is, etc, etc. snicker.

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I know little about Winchester's current offerings. They could be made by Miroku, which had made some fine rifles for Winchester in the past.

They are made by Miroku and as such, are some of the finest leverguns available.

I own both a '73 (Sporting Rifle, Miroku, .45 Colt) and a Shiloh Sharps (Hartford, 45-70); I struggle with the choice presented as to me, these are very different animals (except for the Old West heritage). One is a light, fast-handling, pistol cartridge, lever/ repeater and the other is a single shot, large rifle cartridge, heavy/ slow handling monster; I view these as two very different uses and interests - my tastes/ mind does not put them even close to a one or the other category - I view these rifles as very different forms of shooting fun. I guess I am not much help other than buy the rifle/ style that grabs you the strongest. Good shooting.