Shiloh Rifle Forums

Haven't quite figured out why I needed one, but purchased a Farmingdale '63 Sporter a few weeks ago, ca.1983 gun. 30 inch standard weight barrel, .54 caliber. Chamber capacity is 140 grains. First time out to the range today, and what a beast. Lightly used by previous owner, and easy to see why! Surprisingly, first five shot group held at 1 3/4 inches at 50 yards, so I think I'm keeping it. Not sure what will do me in first, though - the recoil or the FFg bills.

Hi Bud,
You could have the barrel cut back at the breech to reduce the chamber size I think Shiloh would do that but a good gunsmith could do it also. If it were me I would want a chamber around 70 grains which would still give you a thump and would be similar to a 50-70. Would work for game well too.

I have two Shiloh 63's; the first one is a Hartford Sporter 54 with a 30" barrel I bought used. The second was one that I ordered and was one of the last produced by Shiloh before the line was dropped from current production. It is a Hartford standard weight 28" barrel in .38 and I specified a 60 - 65 grain chamber.

Best of luck,
Rob

If you cut a barrel off at the breech, your forearm won't fit anymore, your rear sight will be too close, that is if you use it , and the mount for you lever spring will have to be redone, it would probably be cheaper to rebarrel it

Which is precisely why I sold my Shiloh .54 '63 Sporter - it was punishing to shoot and I didn't want to mess with fillers. I'm happier with my .50 '63 MR and SRC.

[quote="Bud Man"]Haven't quite figured out why I needed one, but purchased a Farmingdale '63 Sporter a few weeks ago, ca.1983 gun. 30 inch standard weight barrel, .54 caliber. Chamber capacity is 140 grains. First time out to the range today, and what a beast. Lightly used by previous owner, and easy to see why! Surprisingly, first five shot group held at 1 3/4 inches at 50 yards, so I think I'm keeping it. Not sure what will do me in first, though - the recoil or the FFg bills. [/quote]

Orville, you are right rebarreling would be cheaper. You could keep the old barrel too as a "just in case" or whatever. I have had Shiloh rebarrel one of my rifles in the past.

As far as trying to figure out the "why's" of owning a 63 for me there are many. I think in some ways I actually like the percussion Sharps better than the cartridge rifles. Once you figure out how you want to shoot it they are fairly easy to handle and very accurate.
Rob

I appreciate all the comments! I think I'll keep it for awhile - I have always liked the odd and unusual. Buying a shoulder recoil pad, just the same. The rifle has an unexpected attribute - a couple of shots and the benches nearby clear pretty fast. Had a guy launching .223 brass into my cheek... BOOM and BOOM ....he moved. Thanks, all!

Bud

Bud Man wrote:I appreciate all the comments! I think I'll keep it for awhile - I have always liked the odd and unusual. Buying a shoulder recoil pad, just the same. The rifle has an unexpected attribute - a couple of shots and the benches nearby clear pretty fast. Had a guy launching .223 brass into my cheek... BOOM and BOOM ....he moved. Thanks, all!

Bud

A little smoke drifting down the line helps a little too ("That s#%t stinks"). I did have some guy wander over to see how I could "shoot a muzzleloader so fast."

I bought a .54 sporter 30" HB in 1983. I bought the tang sight and globe front sight from Shiloh which they installed. It took about 3 months to get it. I bought a mould from NEI. When the rifle came we went out to my club. We only had a 100 yards. I didn't own a spotting scope so we loaded loose powder and shot 3 rounds. Then we walked down to the end of the range to look at the target. It looked like a clover leaf 3 bullets in one hole in the X. That rifle is extremely accurate. That rifle kicks almost harder than my 50/90.

.... and that's why my '63 Military Rifle and SRC are in .50, not .54 calibre! They have 60 gr chamber capacities. Recoil is negligible, but I wouldn't hesitate to use them on deer out to 100 yds or a little closer on a moose.

You might try Hahn's tubes. I can't remember the details, but the tubes are thick enough to use up a good deal
of the capacity of the powder chamber.
Steve K

Great advice on Hahns tubes - I'll look into them. Many thanks!

Bud

do you really need 140? why not reduce the load to something more comfortable& And work a load up that gives you the accuracy you want. air space in a 63 is not a problem. I'm shooting 38 grn 2ffg out a a chamber thats just shy of 1 7/8" using charlies tubes. no filler.

Have no idea what Wolf (or the person who ordered it) was thinking he built a 54-140 with a standard barrel and a military butt plate, but gotta admit it's fun. I will play with the capacities a while and file a range report, but in the meantime this old girl's a hoot!

Bud