Newbie to Sharps need some guidance on the Big 50...

[lahti35]

First let me say thank you for allowing me on this forum, I've been reading a lot and soaking up knowledge...

I've been shooting for a number of years, mostly antique military and sporting rifles with a smattering of black powder repro guns.

I've recently taken a shine to a long range express in 50-90. I'll only be purchasing one sharps in my lifetime so getting all the options I want on one gun had proven to be challenging.

I'd like a rifle that I can use from a seated position for hunting and target shooting at 200 yards, pistol grip of course, rubber shotgun butt, 32" barrel. I am not going to be doing any long range competition, our local range goes to 500 yards maximum if you can qualify. Would I be able to hit a 1 square yard target at that range assuming the shooter does his part?

I'm more interested in the process of loading rounds and experimenting than spraying rounds down range. I've read a lot about the 45/70 being the beginners friend but I've already had a Springfield trapdoor in that caliber and want something else.

Any 50-90 shooters care to chime in?

[Chief Beck]

Lahti,

Not a .50-90 shooter here, but based on what you want to do with it and your interest in loading original Sharps ammunition I personally would opt for a tight paper patch chamber with a 7 degree leade, I would also opt for a 1-36" twist. Shiloh's standard twist is 1-22" they also used to offer a 1-26", might still.
You can configure your rifle anyway you like, just remember it's your money being spent get what YOU want. If want your Sharps to look like it did 145 years ago then I would study Frank Sellers book "Sharps Rifle" (if you can find one) or better yet Roy Marcot's book "Sharps Firearms, Early Metallic Cartridge Firearms and Model 1874 Sporting Rifles" a super great book!


Dennis

[Kurt]

The .50-2.5 is a great caliber, I have shot one for many years and it is my go to rifle when it gets tough at a long range shoot. I mostly shoot the Gong shoots that range out to 1000 yards.
The Caliber is very accurate if you can tolerate the recoil and torque. Mine has the 1/22 ROT and I shoot mostly the 700 gr +- bullets and it will not take a back seat for accuracy to all the different calibers I have.

Mine has a 34" hvy barrel and it's a plain Jane rifle, I call it Calamity because it's a tough rifle in front of the muzzle and buttplate
I'm 81 and I have no problem putting 110 + grains of 2F powder pushing a 700 gr bullet. As long as I can lift it I will shoot it.

For your 500 yard range to qualify on a 3' square iron plate you will probably knock it over I know I knocked the diamond it's stand at 500 yards at Alliance Neb. one year and busted a turkey and ram before the match and unhooked a chicken swinger during a match at the Shiloh range
You will be fine shooting the .50 sitting but don't get careless shooting it laying on your belly. It might get your attention.

The .50-2.5 is not for everyone but it would make a fine long range rifle.

[semtav]

You might do a search for "pacecars" and pm him here or 24hourcampfire.
He just got a 50-90 . might be able to compare notes.

I've got 2 but really haven't spent much time alone with them !!

[bobw]

You have some misinformation about the buttplate. In the 1870 's the Creedmoor and Long Range model 74 Sharps were equipped with rubber buttplates solely to aide in keeping total gun weight under 10 lbs not for recoil reduction. The std buttplate on a shotgun butt is hard rubber which does nothing for recoil reduction. I don't know the actual % of shotgun butts spec'ed by Shiloh Sharps orders but I'd bet 90+% are ordered with checkered steel shotgun butt. In the event somewhere down the line you decide to sell it the hard rubber buttplate will not enhance your chances of quick sale. Most people who want some recoil reduction stay with lighter loads and bullet weight. You sometimes see users with slip on recoil pads

[pacecars]

My .50-90 is a Business Rifle with a heavy tapered 30” round barrel, steel shotgun butt plate, semi fancy wood with pewter forend tip. I got it for hunting and use the barrel sights. It currently has a full buckhorn rear but I am thinking about changing it out for a Lawrence sight. The front is an original style made by Stephen Borud. It has a standard chamber and a 1:22 twist so it likes the heavier bullets. The standard chamber shoots PPB just fine. The kick is not too obnoxious to sight in and practice for hunting. I don’t think it would be a lot of fun for competition with a lot of shots fired. Mine weighs about 11 lbs I think. I weighed it and it is probably posted on here somewhere. There is a post with a video of shooting it with a 670 gr PPB over 100 grs FFg on here also. I am still learning but it is a blast to shoot! If you are in 24hourcampfire get up with Gunner500, he has been a lot of help

[Blackstone]

I have had a big 50 for years , it is very accurate with all weight bullets from 425 gr up to 715 gr. Both gg and ppb with all powder charges from 90 to 135 gr , but it only likes 1Fg . It has a 1-24 rto . I have a steel shotgun but plate 34" bbl and it weighs 12 lb 2 oz with tang and bbl sights . The rubber shot gun recoil pad isnt for me , when shooting prone I use the 1/2" recoil shield from buffalo arms .

[Blackstone]

I have had a big 50 for years , it is very accurate with all weight bullets from 425 gr up to 715 gr. Both gg and ppb with all powder charges from 90 to 135 gr , but it only likes 1Fg . It has a 1-24 rto . I have a steel shotgun but plate 34" bbl and it weighs 12 lb 2 oz with tang and bbl sights . The rubber shot gun recoil pad isnt for me , when shooting prone I use the 1/2" recoil shield from buffalo arms .

[Dennis Armistead]

I've been shooting the 50 2 1/2 for many, many years and what a great round. I recommend that you get the standard chamber and steel shotgun butt plate. A great load to shoot is the RCBS 50-515 FN loaded with 95 gr. Swiss 1F. It's accurate and won't beat you up shooting from the bench. Good luck.
Dennis

[Luke]

The .50-90 will do everything you have asked. However, just so's ya know, the .50-70 will also do everything you have asked. Be just a bit easier to feed and on the shoulder. In the .50s Shiloh offers the 1/22 and 1/36 twist. What kind of bullet you want to shoot will determine the rate you want. Yes please get the Steel shotgun buttplate. Oh, and the Pack Hardening. Damn but I love Shiloh's pack hardening.

Most important though: After listening to us natter for a bit, get what YOU want. Enjoy!

[Luke]

He thinks he'll only get one! Hahahahahahahahah!

[pacecars]

And upgraded wood is never a bad idea. Their semi-fancy puts other companies’ extra fancy to shame

[lahti35]

He thinks he'll only get one! Hahahahahahahahah!

You're more right than you know! I'd like two distinctly different rifles but the money tree won't support the dream!

[lahti35]

Thank you all for the info, i've got more to think about!

I am interested in shooting both paper patch and regular grease grooved projectiles is there a chamber that will accept both or is it a one or the other deal?

[lahti35]

I have read that the slower twist is more like the original... I am interested in shooting bullets that best fit the twist rate but I'll admit matching bullets with twist rates is new to me... Heavier longer bullet, faster twist vs lighter bullets with a slower twist?