Page 1 of 1

1863 Questions Coming !!

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:47 am
by Frank
Well I did it. I bought a Shiloh 1863 Calvary Carbine Rifle in 54 cal. it is a Farmingdale rifle made in 1978 with the 22" round barrel and Saddle ring bar and ring. The rifle is in factory new condition, not a scratch, mark or blemish on it any where. Came with 200 cast bullets, cartridge papers, caps, glue, loading tool and more. I could not turn it down at $750, even my wife of 40 years said I could not pass it up.
I have been loading for 45/70 Shiloh's, High Walls and Rolling Blocks for years but never a paper cartgidge gun. I have been looking for any and all the information I can find on loading for the 1863 so you guys on this forum can expect a lot of question in the future, someof the questions will no doubt make you 63 owners laugh so please bear with me while I get this thing shooting.

Frank Costa

1863 Questions Coming.

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:45 am
by gmartin
All Right Frank!
Great deal you made! And 1978 as well, a wonderful year I'd say. My carbine is 1271. What may be yours? Absolutely NO stupid questions here!!! You may have Shiloh's cartridge making instructions they supplied at one time, and it sounds like Shiloh's wadcutter type bullet as well, as came with mine (the mould). Go check this forum when you have diffilculties or questions and the others prior to it's inception for pertinent '63 info. We shoot a variety of ways, I highly recommend a flat based paper cartridge with bullet inserted, as I believe most of these shooters will as well.
Good for You! Gregg

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:49 pm
by mrrangerman
Frank

Is your RRB in the 43 spanish ? If so, could you tell me what load would be a good start. Thank you

Good shootin
Dan

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 2:11 pm
by Frank
Greg,
My carbine is 1253. I have asked Shiloh to send me instructions and what ever paperwork they supply with the rifle. I have a copy of " The Sharps New Model Combustible Cartridge" by Terr Behm.

Dan,
Can not help you with the 43 spanish, mine is a #1 in 45/70.

Frank Costa

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:50 pm
by gmartin
Frank,
Shiloh sells accourtrements for the '63 now, I hope they can provide you with what you need. Terry Behm's cartridge is predominately what I use, it is great. Use a nitrated CIRCULAR base of 1 1/4 " rather than a 1" square one, I think its fit is better. As well, I use white glue throughout, the glue sticks I have at hand did not hold. 1 3/8" as length works well with all the bullets I've tried thus far. If you have Shiloh's bullet, a total length of 1 7/8" is premo, and another I have uses the same OAL. Some ring tail bullets given for me to try measure OAL of 2" with a cartridge fitted on the ring, but the bullet has a traditional steep ogive. I use 60 grns. 2fg Goex with Terry's and 45 with the ring tail which is a design Rich Siegel uses. Just make a few and insure your bullet's base will fit, not a billion like I did and find I need more tape on my former. If you need a filler try tissue, but I'm going to go to cornmeal. I lube by dipping the completed cartridge in melted lube. I only nitrate4 the base any more, though I use to do it all. I also am going to another paper but I'll not recommend that since these are not shot yet, (though this Vellum cotton tracing paper has potential). Others may advise you further, but Terry's design is a good one. Todd Birch has a '63 rifle in .50 that has a serial # close to ours.
Dan,
Seek Tood out, he's got a .43 Spanish Argentine RB that he's got to shoot very well indeed.
Best, Gregg

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 4:47 am
by mrrangerman
Frank
gmartin

Thank you very much, I'll be askin many many questions on the 63 in days to come. I'm hopeing mine will be done by mid July. Shiloh is making a 63 3 band for me in 54 cal.

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:52 pm
by gmartin
mrrangerman,
You lucky dog! My next Sharps will be just that, a .54 "3 bander" to compliment my carbine. Everybody in the world but me is finding good deals on un used '63 Farmingdales, and I wish on every penny.
Ask away! Gregg