50-90 Sharps

[largecaliberguy]

Does anyone know the velocity of the original load and with what bullet weight.
If not what about loads with todays blackpowder.

Thanks

[Leatherstocking]

Yes, I would like to know the same in regards to 50-90 velocities with todays loads......bullets etc.......................Leatherstocking

[Ray Newman]

LCG: generally speaking different BP granulations (Fg, FFg, etc.) & powder from manufactures’ --GOEX, Swiss, Wano, inc. lot-to-lot batches, along w/ bullet design & weight will give different velocities.

Of course, how the round is actually reloaded & barrel length will also effect MV/FPS.

As for the original loads, my well worn 5th edition of “Cartridges of the World” sez of the 50-90 Sharps:

395 bullet, 1475 MV, 1630 ME, 12.3” MRT @ 200 yds
473 bullet, 1350 MV, 1920 ME, 11.9” MRT @ 200 yds

Powder granulation & grains NOT given.

I also found the following for the .50-70 Gov’t original load:

450 bullet, 70 g Fg, 1260 MV, 1488 ME

The “SPG Black Powder Cartridge Reloading Primer” sez of the .50-90:

Lyman #515141-450 grns bullet, 100 grns Fg, 1310 MV
Lyman #515141-450 grns bullet, 100 grns Ffg, 1440 MV

[Leatherstocking]

Ray,
Thanks! That's a great ball park! You are an amazing asset!

Be Blessed! Doug

[Ray Newman]

Gleaned from “The New Sharps Cartridge Reloading Manual”, published C Sharps Arms, Chris Petersen, Technical Director, DATED 1986 :

.50-90-2.5”
CSA custom adjustable PP*
110 g Fg
MV/ME 1322/1940

Buffalo Bullet Co HP w/ flat base
110g Fg
MV/ME 1429/1859

Lyman 515141 452 g
110 Fg
MV/ME 1371/1886

RCBS 50-450 475 g
110 Fg
MV/ME 13567-1942

CSA 50-520 GC 535 g**
110 Fg
MV/ME 1311/2041

RCBS 50-515 537 g
110 Fg
MV/ME 1320/2077

NEI 620.515 580 g
110 Fg
MV/ME 1291/2146

CS 50-600 GC 605 g
110 Fg
MV/ME 1247/2089*

CSA=C Sharps Arms

*=accurate; ** very accurate. However no definition of these terms was given.

No mention if charges were weighed or by volume.

NOTA BENE: All powder “firmly compressed” + “a hard card wad & a lubricated felt wad” between powder & bullet.

[obfmcb]

I have chronographed a couple loads in my Shiloh #3 30" 50-90

97g Swiss 1F, .06 wad, RCBS 515g, avg. 1305 fps, SD 13

100g Swiss 1F, .06 wad, Ideal 509133 (445g), avg. 1402 fps, SD 5

104g Swiss 1F, .06 wad, 509133, avg. 1433 fps, SD 6

I like the last load the best.

[ffffgdave@yahoo.com]

obfmoc, do you get good burn with the heavy loads and light bullets that you mention.. .. that is to say for hunting can you shoot three rounds with accuracy in 30 degree weather, or do you have to use blow tube to get second shot accuracy?. it seems that it may be that shorter bullets cannot hold engough lube to combate hard, group ruining, fouling.. i see your useing 1fg and that makes me curious if youve found a good second and third shot hunting round for the 50-90.. (50- 90 maybe wannabe) thanks dave..

[ffffgdave@yahoo.com]

obfmoc, do you get good burn with the heavy loads and light bullets that you mention.. .. that is to say for hunting can you shoot three rounds with accuracy in 30 degree weather, or do you have to use blow tube to get second shot accuracy?. (50- 90 maybe wannabe) thanks dave..

[obfmcb]

Dave,

The Ideal bullet I am shooting has three deep grease grooves and I am getting a lube star at the end of the barrel. Don't use a blow tube since the bullet (.510") doesn't have a bore rider portion (chambers easily) - with the semi-buckhorn rear sight, no problem keeping everything in 3" or so at 100yds. I just ordered a Paul Jones mould for a flat point hunting bullet with 4 grooves - should go about 550g and drop right at .511". I don't like the RCBS mold - the bullets drop out at nearly .516, and I have to size them down to .512.

I have always been shooting 1F in my 50-90 with a hint of compression - burns pretty clean (seems like less fouling than I get with Swiss 1 1/2 in my 45-70 and 40-70).

I have only shot one deer with this load - head shot on a small whitetail buck 2 hours before the season was over (at the long range of 30 yds...).

Good luck!

[bobw]

Did you ever decide on a ppb mold? bobw

[obfmcb]

Bob,

The PP mould is going to be a winter project - I did buy some of the swaged PP bullets from Buffalo Arms, but haven't patched or shot any yet -

[Travis]

When I first got my 50 I tried the 450 gr. slug and did not like the consistency. Tried the big 650 gr Saeco and group size was grand. I use 2f ,about 93 grs. of Goex. Works good and is simple to make.