I just traded a Ruger Blackhawk and a Mosin Nagant for a new Pedersoli deluxe ingraved 1874 Sharps . Do I need to load soft "trapdoor" type reloads or will this gun handle hotter loads like the Marlin, Ruger #1, and Highwall? I want to use smokeless powders only. I have(300,350,400, and 500 grain jacketed bullets) and (460 and 500 grain cast bullets). My loading books list loads around 27,000 lbs, but state that these are for the stronger actions listed above. I am new to both the 45-70 and the 1874 rifle.
Any suggested loads would be greatly appreciated. I am a safe reloader and will start well below any suggested data.
Thanks, Ghost

You made a great trade! I'm green with envy. I was looking into buying a Spaghetti Sharps a while back, and here's what I found. The Pedersoli is generally regarded as the best of the Eye-talian made reproductions. The manual says to only use the factory smokeless loads.

However....

Buffalo Bore loads some pretty hot ammo. Under thier listing for 45-70, it says

Quote:

---

All .45-70 Magnum loadings are intended for use in the following firearms:
All Marlin Model 1895 variations made since 1972
Browning Model 1885 and 1886
New England Arms Handi-Rifle
Ruger #1 and #3
T/C Encore
Shiloh, Christian and Pedersoli Sharps
New Production Winchester 1886

---

We're talking 500 grain bullets at 1625 fps and 405 grains at 2000 fps.

So, take that for what its worth. Pedersoli says not to exceed the Trapdoor Springfield level loads (or stay with the Holy Black), but some pretty hot ammo says its safe to use in the Pedersoli. I wont be responsible for it, I'm just the messenger

Oh yeah, it will probably shoot cast bullets better than jackets, but both are worth a try.

Also, there is an MSN group about BPCR that can probably help you a lot with bullets and such, and maybe even reloading with smokeless.

Crazyquik,
Thanks for the information. I will try to contact Buffalo Bore and see if someone there can give a "hands-on" account that their loads are safe in this rifle. I doubt that I would load anything as hot as they do, but it would be nice to know that the gun would take it .
Thanks again, Ghost

Whatever you do, do NOT load this with black powder or lead bullets, especially paperpatched lead bullets. It will ruin not your rifle, but rather your life. Trust me.



for proof, see Real bullets...



And Crazyquik, would you please hurry and buy that Martini of mine. I need money to buy more black powder....



Brent

Factory loads run about 18-20,000psi, SAAMI limits are 27,000, Garrett 35,000, PMC 37,000, and Buffalo Bore 40,000. Factory loads work very well for deer.I would certainly not go above 27,000 for the Pedersoli.

Brent,
After reading your post, I was under the impression that you felt shooting cast bullets & black powder was dangerous in this rifle . I then read your link about the PPB's and see that you were refering to the fact that cast bullets will consume a man to the point where he has no other life. This is what I am trying to avoid. I currently load 24 different rounds including many wildcats, raise 2 young children (my 4th & 5th), manage 17 employees at work, and try to spend some time with my lovely young wife from time to time . When you add in the countless hours of hunting and shooting, I don't need another passion in my life.
Great article you wrote though . I can see me consumed with something like this when my life slows down a bit.
One box of cast bullets I purchased are the 460gr "LBT hard cast" in .459 diameter. These won't be a problem in this rifle will they?