32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

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SFogler
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32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by SFogler »

I am having a Shiloh 1874 built as close to the original long range rifles as possible. I want a Sharps rifle that is true to the target rifles that were used in the early Creedmoor period. I will use it exclusively for shooting at 1000 yard matches. I have a couple of others so I don't need an "all around" rifle - just a LR rifle. I am already invested in the 45-100 caliber so it will be a 45-100. Sellers book shows long range rifles in 45-100 were built for awhile and they had 32" 1/2 oct barrels. Sellers also said the shooters complained about them and Sharps went to 34" full oct barrels. He did not elaborate on the reason for the complaint. Why didn't they like the 32" barrels? Is a 34" necessary for 1000 yard competition today?
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Lumpy Grits
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by Lumpy Grits »

My #1 in .45-90, does well at 1K+ yds with a hvy 30" bbl. :wink:
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BFD
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by BFD »

34" is definitely NOT needed. May lead a bit if you are planni.g grease grooves. May be too much powder if paper patching, and definitely may not make historic weight (10 lbs).

I believe that sometimes 45 - 100 actually refers to 45 2.4". It's very easy to load a modern 45-90 with 100 grains of powder and a paper patched bullet. In fact, it is hard not to.

Single, plain trigger too?
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by Dennis Armistead »

I currently use the 45 2.6 for long range matches using a 32" heavy/half and am getting good results. I wouldn't use a 34" bbl because of hard fouling at the muzzle. The only complaint I could see the shooters having is heavy recoil. My rifle is scope class and weighs 14 lbs, and recoil is very noticeable. I wouldn't want to shoot that caliber in a 10 lb rifle in any position with full loads.
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Don McDowell
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by Don McDowell »

I have 4 rifles with a 32 inch barrel. If you guessed that's my favored barrel length, you'ld be right. :)
Have a couple of 34's and I don't see any advantage, but they do tend to foul a little harder in that extra couple of inches at the muzzle.
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by SFogler »

I plan to have it built to look just like two original LR Sharps I saw on Julia Auctions for a zillion dollars. They had the lip fore arm not the pewter. Mine will have the same look with a 32" heavy half oct barrel, shot gun butt, 45-100, double set triggers. So I guess I'm not as historical as I thought with the heavier weight and double set triggers but I plan to put an MVA buffalo soule sight on it too and that's not period correct either. I have a customized C Sharps actioned 45-100 with a 34" heavy oct Badger barrel I have tried to get shooting well enough for 1000 yards but haven't got there. I got it cheap on an auction and I am beginning to see why it was cheap. I think I'll sell it and start over with this new Shiloh. The 45-100 I have is about 12.5 lbs. I shoot it with 545 grain bullets and 90 grains of powder and the recoil is ok with a pad.
I saw in some of the auctions of original Sharps that the rifle was called a 45-100 and was marked 45 4/10. I would buy a 45-90 but I already have all the brass, tools, etc for a 45-100 and don't really want another caliber. The load will be the same as most 45-90 loads anyway.
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Lumpy Grits
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by Lumpy Grits »

If you are not concerned about weight.
A mercury recoil reducer in the rear stock really helps. I have one in my .45-90.
Also-A shotgun stock is much better for recoil control over the military.
This slip-on pad, also works very well.
http://www.shootersfriend.com/

Gary
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bobw
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by bobw »

If you are hoping to get it near 10lbs. of the originals you need to spec the std weight barrel like the originals and shoot patch to bore diameter ppb's like the originals. bobw
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by BFD »

bobw wrote:If you are hoping to get it near 10lbs. of the originals you need to spec the std weight barrel like the originals and shoot patch to bore diameter ppb's like the originals. bobw
Which would be super cool. A Shiloh Creedmoor with plain trigger, standard barrel, - .45-70 or .45-90. Sweet gun that would be.
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by bobw »

Brent, what is even cooler are the original Mid-Range guns in 40-70 SBN, damn they handle sweet. :) bobw
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by SFogler »

What I've read is that the skinny barrels were not doing too well; barrel whip evidently. That's why the 1877 was built with a reduced weight action and block and a slimmer stock wrist. So they could put the metal back on the barrel where it belonged. I like traditional but I want it to shoot 1000 yards too. I will probably go with a single trigger - my Axtell has one and it is sweet - almost as light as any of my set triggers. I don't have anything with a standard barrel - are the Shiloh standard barrels adequate for what I want?
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by Kurt »

I have a .44-77 with a standard weight 32" oct barrel and it shoots as good as the heavy barrels.
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foxgun
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by foxgun »

I just got a 40/70 SS 1874 Shiloh #1 with a standard weight octagon barrel. It's a sweet handling piece, forearm slimmer in the hands. Just shot it once and it shoots great. I guess we'll see after I get to give it a try on silhouettes. My 45/70 has a heavy 30" half oct to make weight with pretty wood.
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by SFogler »

I am just waiting for the Shiloh final "What do you really no kidding want?" letter. Lucinda thought it would be in production in Dec. I will most likely go with a standard half oct barrel and a real light single trigger to stay as authentic as possible. I'm going to Raton for the Creedmoor shoot so I'll look around and talk to some of those guys too.
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Re: 32 inch barrel for LR shooting?

Post by SFogler »

Got the no-kidding-what-do-you-really-want letter and talked with Shiloh about the barrel wt and trigger - mine is entering into production in a month or so with the heavy half and a light single trigger. Can't wait. Especially after shooting at Raton in the Creedmoor LR match.
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