Hi,
I am new to BPCR's. I have a 45-110 and a 45-120
sharps on the way. What items do I Need to maintain these rifles and to load the ammo?
I have a press , dies and such but from the reading I am doing there are some specific things that are needed, some that one should have and others that wouldnt be a bad idea to have.
I could use and will accept any and all input. I want to do this right.
Thanks
Coues
DS

Coues,
You are starting out with the heavy weights indeed.

You need a bunch of things but the best four that I can give you right off the bat are:

1. The Shiloh Sharps forum. Most helpful place for what you need to know The Shiloh forum

2. A general store for everything you need to feed those puppies a healthy balanced diet at Buffalo Arms. They have everything except powder

3. A copy of Venturino and Garbe's reloading primer for black powder cartridge rifles. It's a bit dated (use regular not magnum primers) but it will get you going better than anything out there.

4. Good powder. Two to choose from Swiss or Goex. Depending on where you are, there are multiple dealers for either. You will probably be best off with 1fg powder.

Hope this helps and see you over on the Shiloh website.

Brent

Thank you Brent.
I have the books and buffalo arms in favorites.
I just registered on the shilo forums as well.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks again
Coues
DS

Welcome to the best fun you can have. I load for mt 45/120 so I can pass on some of the little tips that make make mine work.
Firstly slug your bore and know the exact size. Mine is 450/458 so the first thing to get attention will be your dies. Get an expander button of 458 as you will get about 0.001 of setback so the inside neck will finish 0.457. 2 thou of neck tension will suffice so as to not release the bullet.

Use 0.459 bullets either sized or as cast. You will need a 24" drop tube (mine is 30") a 12mm wad punch (or bought ones).

I use 112.5gn FFG Swiss and compress 1mm. I do this with a nylon plug with shoulder that is placed in the seating die.

Thaks for the responces.
I have the primer and I will be ordering some reloading books.
As to slugging the barrel would this be a job for the riflesmith? I am going to get a chamber cast and all would this be included?
Will be ordering things this week end and setting up a bench just for these rifles.
How have you found the 45-120? What accuracy are you getting?
I appreciate the help.
Thank You
Coues
DS