Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Support for the 1863 shooter. Discussions of powders, loads, bullets, etc.
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tljack
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Location: Helena Montana

Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by tljack »

Recently became the new owner of a nice original 1863 Sharps Carbine. Does anyone know what bullet it requires? If a comercial bullet is not availble, does anyone know what the correct mold would be. I do not want to spend $200.00 for one. I only want to shoot it a few times.

Thanks ahead of time
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snapcap14
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by snapcap14 »

yes there are bullets around that will work. first you should know the bore dia. for best fit. But if memory is correctly the originals were 52 cal. but varied, for the most part the christmass tree will work the 3 band are different sizes so to fit the varies side bore. Dixie gun works and others sell precast. Other on here and the NSSA sight may be willing to send samples of what they have for you to try. I shoot a straight wall bullet of .540. from a mold I had made. some molds can be had for under $100.
Standing on the ROCK
14th VA. Cav.
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tljack
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Location: Helena Montana

Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by tljack »

Thank you for the information.

The origininals are supposed to be 52 caliber, but I have not slugged the barrel. I do have a 54 caliber Christmas tree mold for a reproduction Berdan Sharps that I have. I will do some follow up on your suggestions.

Terry
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snapcap14
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by snapcap14 »

Terry. you have the xmasstree that should work fine check the bands dia's. on it.
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klw
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by klw »

What would be the powder charge for this carbine?
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snapcap14
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by snapcap14 »

for target w/ the xmasstree I would start w/ 42 of 2ffg and work up. My shiloh w/ the xmasstree liked 48 of 2ffg but 42 also worked in it ok.
w/ 3ffg I think it liked 46. If using loose powder no filler is needed. seat the bullet w/ a dowel and load the powder Air space is not a problem.
If making a cart. then use filler so the cart can seat the bullet when pushed in.
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Rich Siegel
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by Rich Siegel »

I have a friend who has an orighinal Sharps 1859 Berdan rifle (double set triggers in the serial number range issued to the 1st and 2nd). He shoots it with a Lyman 54 cal (.536 cal) mini ball. Shoots faily well.

Rich
tljack
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Location: Helena Montana

Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by tljack »

Rich,

I am envious of your friend! I have a reproduction Sharps Berdan and it is 54 Cal. I have shot the same sized Lyman minis in it. I bought a Pedersoli Christmas Tree 54 bullet mold for it.

My original 63 percussion Sharps is of course 52 like your friends Berdan. I am going to give the Pedersoli bullet a try. I guess I was thinking that the 54 cal would be to big.

It will be interesting to see how it shoots. My Berdan and my Original 1863 Sharps 50-70 both shoot very high!

Terry
Rich Siegel
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by Rich Siegel »

Terry,

His rifle shot low with the mini balls and he tried two of my Shiloh bullets, one a Rapine mold and the other a Brooks mold. They were big for his rifle and neither shot well.
Rich
tljack
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Location: Helena Montana

Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by tljack »

There must be a 52 caliber mold for a bullet like the original.

Terry
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snapcap14
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by snapcap14 »

Check w/ NEI THAY HAVE SEVERAL MOLDS LISTED. the 540-440 sh is from what I am told fby a friend is close to what the confederates were using. I think also Lyman made one several xmastree . Remember the 3 diff. band sizes on the xmasstree is to fit a range of bore dia. that were produced.
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Southron Sr.
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Re: Bullet for Original 1863 Sharps Carbine?

Post by Southron Sr. »

Bores of original Sharps can vary in diameter. Whatever you do, PLEASE SLUG YOUR BORE TO DETERMINE ITS TRUE SIZE. Once you know that, you can select a mould appropriate for your Sharps.
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