which manufacturer should I buy sharps rifle from?

[AR]

Well...the headlines says it all! I`ve had plans for years on buying a sharps rifle, but which manufacturer should I buy from? Which one of them makes the best ones? Is it true that the delivery time from the american company shilo sharps is over two years? I am also wondering what calibre is should go for. I know there is a calibre called 50-90, but does it exist calibres like 50-100 or 50-110? I would be very happy to hear from any experienced sharp shooters out there who can give me tips or suggestions on this topic.
-Arve-

[jke]

I think it depends what you are going to use it for. For target shooting the 45/70 is hard to beat. Anything larger and you might go home with a sore shoulder. However if you are using it for large game and not too much target work the larger calibers are nice. It also depends on the size of your bullet. A larger caliber with a 300 grain bullet shoots very much nicer than a 600 grain bullet. But if it is windy most shooters prefer a heavier bullet especially for the longer ranges.
Do not forget most modern 45/70s can be used with (please forgive) smokeless powder. That is a big plus if your far from home and run out of ammo, you can just go to the sports shop and buy a box.
The Shilo Sharps are the top of the line and are a beautiful rifles, but almost too nice for taking out hunting. If you have a store nearby that has the Armi Sport or the Pedersoli Sharps they are very nice for the money and worth at least looking at.

John

[jke]

One other thing.
If I was going to spend the kind of money a top of the line Sharps will cost, I would only get one that had at least a little engraving on it. I think it looks much nicer and also the resale value would be higher if a person ever did decided to sell it.

Best Regards, John

[Frederic048]

I have a C Sharps 45/90. Shoots well with paper patched bullets 530gr and no4 Swiss.

They fit badger barrels which is the clincher for me

[D. Andrews]

Is the question caliber or manufacture?  most of the answers are dealing with caliber.Having shot sharps, remington rolling blocks, Ballard , winchester falling block, since 1978, I have some experience and can help.

for target out to 1000 meters, use a 45-70 with the original US Military bullet mold design [Lyman 457125].  See the military tests of that cartridge, bullet design ( I can send a reference if you need ) .  The 45-90,45-110, 50-50, 50-70, 50-90, and the big one 50-140, all have more powder capacity than you need for target.  Also they are harder on your concentration as your shoulder gets more tender.

Lots of shooters and bullet mold makers try to improve on the US military bullet design / more streamlined, more pointed,fewer grease grooves , etc / and they point out various shooters whom have won contests with 'their' bullet design -  most of these shooters are excellent shots whom would win with any bullet design.

C Sharps of Big Timber, Mt makes the best Sharps for the money. The Badger barrels made by Ernie Stallman are excellent.  There is an independent dealer in Montana that stockpiles these rifles and if you work thru him - no waiting time. ( I can send you his link if you want). The weakness of the sharps design is the firing pin. breakage is common. order spares when you get rifle. The heavy hammer in fired position pushes on firing pin so it protrudes against cartridge, you need to pull the hammer back to saftey notch (first click) or the action will hit the firing pin when you open the chamber.  wear, tear, breakage is the result if you forget or an unlearned person uses your rifle.

Hope this helps, D. Andrews

[D. Andrews]

I checked with C.Sharps Company and they are current with their orders and have several rifles in stock ready to ship so you can ignore the information about a dealer and his link to avoid a wait.  Just see their web page.