I was very impressed with the Caribou a bit further down. Looks a monster.

Nice pics...I would like a replica rifle like that one day.

What brand of Sharps is that? I do not think it is a Shiloh because Shiloh does not make a 50-140 - unless he had it rechambered later. Also, anyway we can get some load data (ie Fg, Swiss, duplex, how many grains, bullet mold used? I'm not saying 1600fps can't be reached, but it sounds a little on the high side to me.

All that aside, he is to be congratulated.

also think that 1600 f/sec are a lot for blackpowder with a 600 grain bullet. the 500BPE 3,25" makes 1775 with 440 grains bullet and 142 grain powder. Maybe swiss black powder is able to do this now, maybe hogdon 777 or pyrodex. this bulk powder and pyrodex doing something more than normal blackpowder. But I think this is only possible with a duplex load. some grains of nitro powder under the load is a good idea on a safari trip. you havn't so much to clean in the camp and can figth with the wisky.

I don't know any more of the details other than what he posted on the worldshooter.com forum. I can certainly ask Don Lietzau and post his response back here. Or you can also post direct to him there.

Either way I am curious to know as well

It would have to be an early Shilo,as they dropped the 50-140 awhile back

To ALL:

How does one get either black powder or loaded BP cartridges -- legally -- transported?
As I understand it, neither may be checked as baggage on the airlines...and I can't even imagine the hassle of shipping them (aren't they classed as 'class A explosives'?) as separate freight.
Is BP readily available (or available at all) in Africa?
I would think that hunting with the old Sharps would be great fun but I'd expect the problems would make it more trouble than it would be worth.

He might have used Pyrodex, or XMP-5744 instead of BP; he might have loaded the rounds in Africa (BP is available in RSA); he might have just 'forgotten' to mention that the rounds were loaded with BP.

George

nobody see it that you have a blackpowder cartridge, why to tell him.

I dunno -- you think it might be because I used to make my living driving airplanes and don't think much of some moron loading things that can go boom! into the cargo hold?

FWIW, I've flown lots of explosives around. But, when I did, I knew what we were carrying, they were properly loaded and packed and I was getting paid to take the risk. I hadn't bought a ticket so I could ride over top of whatever some clown who got his 'expertise' by watching reruns of Quigley Down Under had decided to toss into his luggage.

I think you'll find that most pilots are aware that there are a lot of silly rules out there...but think that the hazmat restrictions are usually a good idea.

I suppose that when I asked how it could be done 'legally', I should have asked how it could be done INTELLIGENTLY and legally.

Brent
That's useful information.
I was covering the line at Raton this year at the BPCR nationals for Shooting Sports magazine and was told otherwise.
Could you reference that documentation so I can locate it? (I'd like to make it available in the next article.)
Mny thx

nomad,

You need to find that Dixie magazine. It was published this year. The author is Art Fleener. I proofed it for him. Call DGW and ask or order a copy.



I should add that I don't get the magazine myself. So, I can't get you the citation directly.



Brent

Brent,
Thx -- I'll contact them.
What I'd really like to find is the DOT authorization.

The information I got at Raton came from an airline management-level employee who claimed to have the correct, up-to-date regulations...and was corroborated by a firearms mfg rep.
I'll have to follow this one up some more...

(If I learn that there have been changes since your buddy got his info, I'll post what I find here.)