Your favorite BPCR rifle?

11 September 2021, 18:01

Bill/Oregon

I'd be hard-pressed to choose. I have had many over the years, at present just a .50-70 rolling block that I had built six or seven years ago that I am finally going to send off for bluing work so I can shoot the danged thing.
Had a Ballard, had a couple of Pedersoli Sharps rifles, Martinis in .577-450, Sniders in .577, Beaumonts, a Werndl, a Gras, Model 1871 Mausers, a Steyr Mannlicher 1886 straight-pull bolt gun, the Spencer carbine in .56-50 Spencer and several Trapdoor Springfields, one in .50-70 but most in .45-70.
I'd have to say I have gotten the most pleasure from a Model 1884 Trapdoor in very good shape with excellent bore -- but only back when I could actually see to use the remarkable Buffington sights -- possibly the most sophisticated open sights ever issued on a military rifle, especially in a blackpowder caliber.
What is your favorite?

13 September 2021, 01:52

pacecars

I too have had many favorites but currently it is my Shiloh Sharps .50-90 Business Rifle

13 September 2021, 11:31

Use Enough Gun

Beautiful rifle!

13 September 2021, 22:56

Bill/Oregon

I agree! I had a Hartford model Shiloh in .50-70 that Ken Buch talked me out of before I even shot it.

18 September 2021, 04:20

degoins

Very nice!!

20 September 2021, 18:38

Bill/Oregon

Happy to report my rolling block is in the capable hands of Allen Springer of Snow Mountain Blue up in Montana. Seems I will finally have a chance to shoot it before long. Been years since I lit off a .50-70. It may become my new favorite, but will have to wait and see if I can actually use the tiny "Rough and Ready" rear sight and Beech combination front -- both from MVA.

14 October 2021, 09:15

loud-n-boomer

I have had several rifles in .45-70, .50-70, and .50-90, trapdoors in .45-70 and .50-70, rollers in 8x58R, .45-70, and .50-70, Highwalls in .40-65 and .45-70, Martinis in .577-450 and .577-.500 #2 Express, a Snider in .577 Snider, a Veterli in .43 Swiss, an 1876 Winchester in .45-60, an H&R Handi Rifle in .38-55, and a Gras in .43 Gras. I have always wanted an 1877 Sharps, and currently have C. Sharps building me one in .45-90. Of the ones I currently own, I would say my 1881 Powell double rifle in .500-.450 #1 Express is my current favorite.

14 October 2021, 17:31

Bill/Oregon

Wonderful collection, Dave!

16 October 2021, 07:39

bigluke

I have owned a bunch over the years. I really love my Sharps 1874 “Berdan”. It is a pedersoli that is now a 45/90 and no longer a 45/70. It’s the rifle that “never was” as the real ones were percussion! Gotta love military style rifles.

05 March 2022, 21:06

RJM.@Jax.FL

CPA - Stevens 44 1/2-- 38-55 & 35-40 Maynard

quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I'd be hard-pressed to choose. I have had many over the years, at present just a .50-70 rolling block that I had built six or seven years ago that I am finally going to send off for bluing work so I can shoot the danged thing.
Had a Ballard, had a couple of Pedersoli Sharps rifles, Martinis in .577-450, Sniders in .577, Beaumonts, a Werndl, a Gras, Model 1871 Mausers, a Steyr Mannlicher 1886 straight-pull bolt gun, the Spencer carbine in .56-50 Spencer and several Trapdoor Springfields, one in .50-70 but most in .45-70.
I'd have to say I have gotten the most pleasure from a Model 1884 Trapdoor in very good shape with excellent bore -- but only back when I could actually see to use the remarkable Buffington sights -- possibly the most sophisticated open sights ever issued on a military rifle, especially in a blackpowder caliber.
What is your favorite?

06 March 2022, 05:23

Bill/Oregon

CPA builds a beautiful Stevens!

06 March 2022, 12:35

cal pappas

My favorite is an 1876 Winchester in .50-95 express. Sights and sling eyes added by Holland and Holland and engraved on the barrel their work. Has the original tool and mould with pins for solid point and hollow point.

_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
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______________________________

07 March 2022, 04:23

Bill/Oregon

Cal, you have an absolute American classic there. Congratulations.

08 March 2022, 03:58

Huvius

Cal, did your Winchester get British proofs when the work was done?

08 March 2022, 08:12

cal pappas

quote:
Originally posted by Huvius:
Cal, did your Winchester get British proofs when the work was done?

Oddly, there are no British proofs on the rifle. The barrel has the common H&H notes "sighted, shot and regulated by Holland and Holland" and also that they won the rifle trials in 1884 by The Field magazine. Never understood why the rifle escaped the proof house.

I hope this makes sense. I had cochlear implant surgery earlier today and I'm a bit wobbly and doped up on pain meds. But, I feel great!!!
Cal