weight of the 1877 model

[KWK]

What are the lightest weight and configuration for the 1877?

[bruce m]

the original came down to less than 10 lb, as it was aimed at creedmoor shooting.
firing a 550 gn bullet with over 100 gns of powder would require some mental aptitude.
bruce.

[martinibelgian]

No, just supine position! But that requires some athletic aptitude

[bruce m]

[KWK]

the original came down to less than 10 lb

I doubt it gets much below 10, though. The lowest weight in Sellers' book was an estimated 9 lb, as mentioned in a letter from the factory. I'm not a bench rest shooter, and nose heavy rifles aren't my fancy, but it's such a fine looking rifle. Sharps transformed their ugly duckling into an elegant swan.

[Kurt]

Looks is in the eye of the beholder

[Luke]

From what I have read, the Shiloh 1877s run about 1 lb lighter than an 1874 in similiar configuration.

[Don McDowell]

If I get a chance I'll weigh my 77. But the thing with the 77's is the action and wrist are slimmed down so the weight could go into barrel length and diameter. So they balance , and the recoil impulse is quite a bit different than a 74.

[Luke]

Is Shiloh using different profile barrels on the 77s?

[bruce m]

the idea of the original 77 was to make the rifle to the same wt as the 74 but with a heavier barrel.
bruce.

[parkergunz]

My Shiloh 77 is an even #12. This includes sights, steel buttplate and 32" barrel.

[Don McDowell]

Mike I think your rifle and mine are pretty identical except you went with some fancy wood?

[Trigger1212]

Mine is 12 lb 2 oz with MB’s mid range soule staff, large Hadley eyecup, steel butt plate and 32” bbl. mine is in 40-65 so that adds a bit of weight too.

Don’t get hung up on the weight though. You can have the make one a lot lighter than that.

I’d love to have one built for hunting. 28-30” half octagon round, barrel sights, D&Td for scope, 50/70 as in Michigan the case cannot be longer than 1.8” to use in a shotgun zone (how stupid is THAT) so cannot use a 45-70 or 45-90. Would target the weight at no more than 10 lbs, hopefully closer to 9.5. Ph, and good English walnut! That would be a dream stick for me.

Cheers!

Wade

[KWK]

Thanks for the information, folks. I kind of figured these beauties would be heavy. Sellers describes the reason they came about, and I have to believe Shiloh picked their barrel contours to match the originals.

For reference, my Lone Star rolling block is a bit of a Frankenstein. It has what's basically a No.1 receiver and butt with a No.5 barrel and forearm. It has a very slender 30" barrel in 30-40 and weighs in at 6-7/8 lb with a blade front sight and peep rear. The balance is excellent, and the long barrel improves stability.

[77 sharps]

After hunting elk with my 12# Shiloh, I had a builder in Bend Oregon make me a 1877 with a 28” standard weight half round barrel in .45 2 7/8” SS. This was in 2004. The rifle weighs 9 1/2# and is a joy to carry and shoots very well, but does recoil a bit. The 77’s had a reputation for having fragile butt stocks and I’m pretty sure the builder epoxied a rod in the wrist to prevent breaking. If weight is a big consideration, remember that as the caliber goes down the weight goes up. If it’s a serious hunting rifle, have sling swivels put on it. I always hunt with the rifle in my hands, but if you have to climb or carry something, a sling is a life saver.

If you stay away from fancy wood, I’m sure Shiloh could build a 1877 model 9 1/2# or slightly less.