TWO QUESTIONS

[buffalocannon]

As a consequence of growing older, I find that I tend to overthink things. Been using bullets of 520 to 545 grains but would like to try a new bullet in my 2.6 for 1000 yards or so. So I am going to the experts. What do you think of the 560-grain Money (459560) bullet from Buffalo Arms?


Also, now at 72 years of age I find the 34-inch barrel on my Sharps to be rather unwieldy, especially at offhand. It has the heavy octagon barrel and weighs approximately 13.5 pounds. It is not just the weight but that long piece of metal just hanging out there that seems to now affect me. Growing old is Hell. I am thinking of having Shiloh shorten the barrel to 32, 30, even 28". I have had people tell me that 32 is best, 30 is better, and 28" is perfect. What do the experts think? Thanks!

[SchuetzenDave]

In the Schuetzen game we find the 26 inch barrel provides the best weight and balance for offhand shooting.
But we can use smokeless powder in that game.
They say it is best to have a 30 inch barrel to make sure you burn all your Black Powder.
So maybe if you compromise and go for a 28 inch barrel for an off hand rifle.
If you still wish to shoot 1000 yards I would keep a 30 inch barrel to burn most powder and maintain your higher velocities that occur with a longer barrel.

[Don McDowell]

That 560 gr bullet may or may not stabilize from your rifle.
Rather than have them shorten the barrel, you may want to consider just having them put a new 30 inch barrel on it, altho I don't think with the heavy contour you'll notice that much difference between the 34 and 30 inch. Maybe think more along the lines of a new 45-70 with a 30 inch standard weight barrel.

[DeadEye]

BC,

I know a fella down Arizona way has that same caliber and bullet, uses 90 gr. of Swiss 1.5. Does quite well with it. YMMV.

Paul

[MikeT]

buffalocannon,
IMHO if the 545 grain bullet is not getting it done at 1K, then the 560 grain will definitely not get it done.
I shoot a 525 grain PP bullet and it does very well. I am also thinking about trying something under 500 grains at long range. That is
paper patched of course.

I have a 34" barrel on my 45-70 and I would not attempt to shoot it OH. It is my dedicated LR rifle weighing in at 14 pounds 14 oz.
Most rifles have 30" barrels and I do not think those shooters feel handicapped while shooting against 32 & 34 inch barrels at LR.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

[Kurt]

I have a 5 grooved 560 grain Brooks creedmoor bullet that shoots very well in my .45-90 for long range. It's about the only bullet that shoots well in that rifle.

[Shadow 4]

BC,

I know a fella down Arizona way has that same caliber and bullet, uses 90 gr. of Swiss 1.5. Does quite well with it. YMMV.

Paul

(Sounds of clearing my throat) if I may, actually, "that fella", he uses 93 grs
I know "that guy", & the rifle & yes, he & it does quite well
BACO 459560M2, I believe

BTW, 34" Kreiger.................... at least that's what I remember............from our phone conversations

18 twist, Paul?

[DeadEye]

Well Shadow since you decided to step out into the light I'll add that the same rifle does quite well for the new owner in Montana. As to the charge, when I was loading with Pat he was loading 90 grains but the difference could just be the difference in case lots. As I remember the twist is 1:17 but it's been a few years now and I could be wrong on that. When we were testing loads that combination produced 1350 fps which is what Pat feels is needed for 1000 yard accuracy. Not going to argue with a man who's been in the winners circle that often.

As to the case lots of Swiss 1.5, at that time I was loading 66 grains under a BACO 545 gr. Creedmoor in my 45-70. On that trip I bought a case of powder from the late Frank Reich (RIP) and it needed 69 grains to produce the same results. The case I'm into now is back to 66 grains for Silhouette accuracy. I am using a different combination altogether for 1000 yard work.

Paul

[firefighter1990]

Buffalocannon, I'm more of a paper patched shooter these days but I designed a bullet for my 17" twist 45-2.6" that I had Steve Brooks cut for me. It's a tapered mini groove prolate elliptical that's 1.55" long and weighs 570gr with 16:1 alloy. Because it's tapered, it only seats about 1/4" into the case so I could load a full 100 gr charge behind it. I don't use it much anymore now that I patch for that rifle so pm me if you're interested in it. If you're rifle is an 1:18" twist it may be too long unless you push it fast.

[desert deuce]

Buffalo Cannon, you did not state what you use the rifle for or the twist rate of the barrel.
Unscoped at 13.5 pounds we can presume you don't use it for silhouette.
Fully charged with powder and a 560 grain bullet a 2.6 would provide noticeable recoil therapy for target which is shot offhand at 200.
By deduction that probably leaves us with gong shooting ?
As for getting old at 72 I see quite a few shooters past that mark still shooting well. Be happy, the alternative is no shooting or no B.C..
If you have shot competition of choice for two or more years you should already know generally what the rifle shoots well. If not try a few different bullets from the generousity of your peers and figure what shoots best and go with it. You may discover bullet length is more important than weight.

[Shadow 4]

Well Shadow since you decided to step out into the light I'll add that the same rifle does quite well for the new owner in Montana

Really, do tell............did you spot for him or something?

As to the charge, when I was loading with Pat he was loading 90 grains but the difference could just be the difference in case lots.

He was at 92grs, but his lot change showed promise at 93grs, least wise, that's what 1000yd, 900yd & another 1000yd target showed
At least this is what I remember................... from our phone conversations

As I remember the twist is 1:17 but it's been a few years now and I could be wrong on that. When we were testing loads that combination produced 1350 fps which is what Pat feels is needed for 1000 yard accuracy.

1:17/1:18, I'll have to ask him........again
1342 fps
ES 6
SD 2
At least this is what I remember................. from our phone conversations

Not going to argue with a man who's been in the winners circle that often.

This would be why it's not recommended to reinvent the wheel

Nun the less the BACO 459560M2 works well, no matter how far you want to shoot it..............I hear it works well on a Buffalo at 1200yds also

The 34" barrel seems to burn all the powder chg well, not sure at 28" it would do such. To down load it, well then, just have it rebarreled in 45-90 at 30", should work well. I "hear" that a 535gr bullet work's well in those setups

Fully charged with powder and a 560 grain bullet a 2.6 would provide noticeable recoil therapy for target which is shot offhand at 200.

I hear that it is quite brutal, grasping that tail on the lever for extra leverage to help control torque will produce a blood blister, a glove would be recommended


Does anyone wonder where the white goes when the snow melts?

[DeadEye]

Well Shadow since you decided to step out into the light I'll add that the same rifle does quite well for the new owner in Montana

Really, do tell............did you spot for him or something?

I may have a time or two

As to the charge, when I was loading with Pat he was loading 90 grains but the difference could just be the difference in case lots.

He was at 92grs, but his lot change showed promise at 93grs, least wise, that's what 1000yd, 900yd & another 1000yd target showed
At least this is what I remember................... from our phone conversations

Certainly from the time I'm referring to and your conversations he would have been a couple cases down the road. It's nice to see the lot to lot variation on Swiss is still only 3/90.

As I remember the twist is 1:17 but it's been a few years now and I could be wrong on that. When we were testing loads that combination produced 1350 fps which is what Pat feels is needed for 1000 yard accuracy.

1:17/1:18, I'll have to ask him........again
1342 fps
ES 6
SD 2
At least this is what I remember................. from our phone conversations

Not going to argue with a man who's been in the winners circle that often.

This would be why it's not recommended to reinvent the wheel

True but I might try a bit of tweaking this year, might see what wiping will do with this winning load.

Nun the less the BACO 459560M2 works well, no matter how far you want to shoot it..............I hear it works well on a Buffalo at 1200yds also

The 34" barrel seems to burn all the powder chg well, not sure at 28" it would do such. To down load it, well then, just have it rebarreled in 45-90 at 30", should work well. I "hear" that a 535gr bullet work's well in those setups

Just finished casting a bunch more of them.

Fully charged with powder and a 560 grain bullet a 2.6 would provide noticeable recoil therapy for target which is shot offhand at 200.

I hear that it is quite brutal, grasping that tail on the lever for extra leverage to help control torque will produce a blood blister, a glove would be recommended


Does anyone wonder where the white goes when the snow melts?

I saw someone say it was aluminum in another thread just a while back.

[SchuetzenDave]

Caliber 0.459 Inches
Bullet Weight 560 Grains
Bullet Length 1.52 Inches
Barrel Twist 18 Inches/turn
muzzle velocity 1342 fps
Temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit (59 is standard)
Pressure 29.92 inches of mercury (29.92 is standard)

Sg = 2.19

Just a slight bit of over spin; great for long range shooting.

[DeadEye]

How are you Dave, hope you're fine.

If I read your post correctly then a 1:17 twist would be just a bit better. It does shoot good at long range. Brian has constructed a 3-D version of the NRA 6'X6' 1000 yard target with different weights of steel. Even the sound tells you where you've hit. He has no trouble keeping them in the 'sweet' spot.

Paul

[Shadow 4]

I saw someone say it was aluminum in another thread just a while back.

Funny as hell to BTW