Shiloh Rifle Forums

I don't have an 1863 Shiloh, but am thinking about one. I was curious if anyone has ever compared the accuracy of the 1863 and the 1874, paper cartridges vs metallic. Thanks.
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During a recent conversation with Charlie Hahn on another topic, he mentioned that he has found essentially no difference in accuracy. I cannot confirm this. I can write that target rifles using breech seated bullets and [otherwise loaded] brass cartridge cases are VERY accurate.

Hope this helps.

My 1863 54 cal rifle shoots 2 to 2 1/2" groups at 200 yds with Charlie's tubes, 64 gr swiss 3f and the raphine ring tail bullet, My 1874 45/70 #1 sporter with 30" barrel does a tad better. If I was betting money on the group size I would go with my 1874. I attribute the slight difference with the more positive sealing of the cartridge, your results with your rifle might differ.

I have two 1863 Sporters with MVA sights. One is a .38 caliber Saddle Rifle and the other is a .50 #3 Sporter. For the Spring 2010 issue of Black Powder Cartridge News magazine I tested both rifles using common Lyman & RCBS bullets- breech seated, Swiss powder- loaded loose and RWS caps. My best loads after VERY LIMITED SHOOTING for each caliber went into about 1.25" at 100 yards for 5 shots (blow tube between shots, clean before each group, fowling shot seemed to hit within group). I plan to order a .45 cal. sporter very soon and will write up my results.

A few years back, I got into a postal match with three American owners of '63s, one a carbine.

We shot off hand at 50 yds, sitting or kneeling at 100, x-sticks at 150, bench or x-sticks at 200. None of us had any idea what to expect and we were all pleasantly surprised. We were so green that we didn't realize that you could adjust the Lawrence rear sight for windage and we all held off, except the one guy who had a vernier tang.

We allowed wiping and sighters between shots, scoring on the signed, registered targets. I shot my Farmingdale .50 Military Rifle. From that I concluded that 200 yds was max for me with that gun and the issue sights; 100 for hunting. It would certainly make you keep your head down beyond that on a man sized target.

Todd, or others

Did you remove the screw on the sight and file down the sides of the sight that fit in the dove tail so you could correct the windage?

Frank

No!

Remove the screw you see in the front of the sight and take out the ladder. That will expose a small screw. Loosen that and it will allow the 'ears' of the rear sight to be moved.

Mark where it is now with a pencil so you can keep track of how much you move it.