45-120 double rifle

[Mike Johnson]

I know it’s not a sharps (I have a sharps) but I have come by a modern double in 45-120. Along with sharps, I love double rifles. I’m excited about this new addition to the fold.

The problem is, most places are out of brass or heavens forbid. Loaded ammo for this cartridge.

Anyone have access or know where I could get brass or loaded ammo for this new toy? Thanks.

[Mike Johnson]

So I located brass and it arrived today. Spent this wet afternoon reloading up 550gr Postells over a compressed load of 110 Ft of 1F a vegetable wad and a punched OJ carton. Using SPG lube on the bullets. Having had double rifles in 470 NE, 450/400, 9,3x74, 45-70, 30-06, and .303, this new double excites me as a new adventure in learning a new cartridge. I use 110gr of FF in my .54 muzzle loader and my .54 Farmington sharps 3-Band 163. for hunting and I’m guessing this double will feel close the 450/400 I had years ago. Through research, this load should mimic the .500 BPE which I also looking at when I purchased this DR. For those over on nitro express, I will post range reports and hunting success over there so as not to not be too off focus here. I will post my range reports for the 1863 here later. Thanks. Out.

[Gussy]

Had a 120....

Best load that was nice to shoot and accurate was 90 grains 1F, 530 grain Postel, extra space filled with a couple of 1\4" cork bulletin board wads. It been a while, might have been 3 wads. What ever you need to make it work! Also cleaned up easier.

[Mike Johnson]

Thanks Gussy

[77 sharps]

If you’re going to be using the 1/4” cork wads, replace the one directly over the powder with a milk carton wad and a 1/4” wad of DGL. Also try 2Fg powder.

[martinibelgian]

If you want an express load 'in the spirit of the original', just stuff it full of (FG) powder and use a bullet no heavier than 300-350gr. Don't expect MOA, but it should work.

[Mike Johnson]

Thanks. I will try each of the suggestions

[mongo40]

Whats the reason for not having the cork wad setting directly on the powder, I just loaded up some rounds and all I had for wads is cork at the time, since its just a ppb on top I could easily pull bullet out and pull cork out but would like to hear why before I do. Thanks
Chris W

[bpcr shooter]

Whats the reason for not having the cork wad setting directly on the powder, I just loaded up some rounds and all I had for wads is cork at the time, since its just a ppb on top I could easily pull bullet out and pull cork out but would like to hear why before I do. Thanks
Chris W

You would just need to make sure your not getting gas cutting, or burnt paper in your PP bullets. Id try them and at least see if that is happening, seeing as they are already loaded.

[omgb]

I'm sure to stir up trouble with this but...a small charge of RL-7 under that BP may help with accuracy and getting the barrels to shoot together. I use about 7 grains under my 45-90 loads and it works very well.

[bdelatorre]

I shoot several BP double rifles. From my experience, Martini's comment about a light duplex is spot on. That much black will quickly foul the barrel. There was also a comment about a light bullet @ 300 grains. This is also correct. I shoot a 500 BPE and that is the bullet weight used. I did not see mention of a lube cookie (or I missed it). Without one, you are sure to foul out after the first shots. Regulating BP doubles is a lot harder than smokeless doubles. If you do not control the fouling, you will have great difficulty trying to adjust the loads.

[omgb]

I'm no expert and I have no idea who made you gun and what it is regulated for, but there are a couple of 19th century British cartridges with about the same capacity and they all call for 300 to 350 grain bullets. What was your gun's regulation load?