Such a dilemma I am in

[Tom Bieri]

I recently ordered a new Sharps 45-70 as I intend to put a little wrinkle in my shooting by switching from cast bullet bench rest to BPCR and see how it goes. Since ordering the rifle I have purchased a used Sharps 45-70 from the estate of a dear friend that passed. Now I am considering changing the order of the new rifle to a 45-90 or perhaps a 40-70 and possibly making it heavier to be used in Creedmore competition. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Tom Bieri

[bpcr shooter]

40-70 brass is hard to come by and $$$$ as is 405win brass to make it. 45-70 will do just fine at 1k yards for Creedmoor. If you want something different 44-77 would be cool.

matt

[bruce m]

40/82 with a 1:12 or 13 twist.
bruce.

[Kurt]

If your interest is long range then go with the .45-90.
Brass is easy to find and you can use your .45-70 dies to load the 90.
I shoot a .40-70 and it shoots very good but the .45-2.4 will be more reliable at extended ranges.

[Woody]

Two 45-70 silhouette rifles and two 45-90 silhouette rifles. One 40-65 silhouette rifle. Have owned a 38-55. I still don't know what is the best. I lean towards the 45-70, but what do I know?

Woody

[bruce m]

the 40/82 with a 13 twist and a 1.5" long bullet will shoot along with a 45/2.4" all the way to 1000 yds.
i have both and have wrung them out pretty well.
the 40/82 will have less recoil, and use 100 gns less alloy per shot.
cases can easily be made from existing brass.
i would have suggested the 40/72, but believe that hornady no longer make 405 win brass.
bruce.

[Don McDowell]

the 40/82 with a 13 twist and a 1.5" long bullet will shoot along with a 45/2.4" all the way to 1000 yds.
i have both and have wrung them out pretty well.
/quote]

Any proof of that?

[bruce m]

obviously all that was written on the 40/90 bn thread has gone in one ear and out the other .
bruce.

[Don McDowell]

Figured you were going to dance around answering that.

[gunlaker]

If you want to shoot Creedmoor, get a .45-90. It's a sure bet. There might be other cartridges that are more interesting from some perspective, but you absolutely won't go wrong with a .45-90.

Chris.

[pacecars]

Why not a .45-100? It is a hell of a cartridge

[PacRATT]

As gunlaker posted, 45-90 (2.4”)
There are lots of components available and many proven bullet weights and styles.
As for the 40-82, it is a little harder to find readily available components. I think a forming/trim die is a must if you are going with 2.4 or 2.6 (45 Cal.) brass.
I have been told by friends shooting 40-82 that more work is involved in load development and fouling control.
Both are great cartridges.
The reason Rick and I are going with 40-90 BN is that it was an original Sharps cartridge and Rick can make any style, weight or length 40 Cal. slick you can think of. PS: this will be a paper patch only chamber.

[Don McDowell]

Pacratt I believe the 40-90 bn in a heavy gun could be quite competitive at long range.
But I still think the 45-90 is definitely a go to chamber if one wants to cover all the bases.

[Tom Bieri]

Thanks for all your input! I believe I will do the 45-90 2.4 case and be done with it. I have a 40-70 Maynard if it beats up the 2 45's I will just go with it.

I may go with a straight stock on the new one, the one I have has a pistol grip with a cheek piece.

Tom Bieri

[PacRATT]

Don, my heavy Roller is a scoped only with a 32" x 1.5" dia. barrel,weight 16 lbs. It is in 40-60 Maynard right now,kicks like a 22RF. Rick is going to re-chamber it to 40-90 BN after his rifle is done.
Rick plans are for a 34" heavy barrel and 34" MVA scope.
We need to find a range over 800m . The St. Charles military range maybe close for some time even after Covid