I have been looking at the Chiappa or Armi sport Sharps ,handled one and really liked it ! the Quigley 45/120 is the one i want ,but after doing some searches on net, many opinions, stated ,its not worth getting the 45/120 ,it wont do anything the 45/70 wont ,less accurate, more expensive to reload etc can someone steer me in the right direction here ,im a bit over all the bolt actions etc, and want a Sharps and something different

At the same pressures, the 45-120 will indeed do more, but if you want to shoot it from prone, sitting, etc. is another story. 45-70 will do almost everything you need. I don't know about the 45-120 being less accurate, but it will kick a whole lot harder making it harder to shoot. It is a lot more expensive to reload, but 20 brass will last a while too.

I have a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps "The Boss", champered in .45-70. For target shooting, I mean it´s enough. Brass and dies are cheap and from many brands. The same is with reloading datas. The .45-70 is the more flexible round, loadable from light target loads to heavy hunting loads.

Martin

The 45 3 1/2 (45-120) is difficult to get to shoot well. It takes a lot of experimenting, so unless you are really into that I would suggest the 45-70, 45-90 or 45-110. There is a discussion on the Shiloh Sharps forum about getting the 45-120 to shoot well. Jim

having owned both: you will take the 45-70 out for a fun afternoon killing tin cans and such. The 120 is for hunting, and is very limited in use. I sold my 120 to a guy who "just had to have one". Three years later he is still packing it around to gunshows for sale. 4-5 times as expensive for brass, and a pita.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

I have a Shiloh Sharps No.1 Sporter with a 30in. Extra Heavy Half Octagon BBl.in 45-120. I use 550gr.cast lead with AA XMP5744 powder. I keep the velocity around 1550 fps. No problem with recoil and deadly accurate at 200yds.

If you're not going to load it with the one true powder, BLACKPOWDER, you are wasting your time with the -120 case.

You are far better off if you shoot that gawd-awful heathen smokless stuff to use the -70 case. Less volume, less worry about powder position in case, etc. Accurate Arms 5744 is really your best option in the large case.

You haven't told us what your intended purpose for the rifle is? Purpose matters if you want advice that's worth reading...

I load for both 45-70 and 45-120 (it's my buddy's, but he "had to have it"-I just get to load his ammo for him). I also load for 45-90 and 50-70.

I only load the one TRUE powder in all the above, as GOD INTENDED!!

Thanks for the advice and replies i think i will just get the 45/70 ,even though it doesnt have the aura of the 45/120, the 45/70 sounds like a more practical choice for me cost wise etc ,plus i havent the time or inclination to stuff around with a zillion different loads etc to get it[120] shooting right

Slowpoke Slim
I have tried BP on a few occasions. Don't much like the clean up after. Rifle used more for big bore plinking. Have loaded hotter for 600 yd. shots. Great fun off the sticks. For bigger bore I use a 50BMG. Been using them since 1988.
I have a Ruger No.1 in 45-70 with a custom heavy 30in.bbl. Not as worried about the clean up with BP in that one, but use 5744 mostly in that one also.
Good Shooting]
Bob G.

Personally I prefer the 45-70. But then I have a half dozen of them. If you are looking for a target model I have a Pedersoli "Boss" that I am going to sell. If you are interested send me a PM. My price is $1200(firm) for the rifle. And I am not interested in any trades. I am going to put the money toward a custom rifle. Tom.

quote:

Pedersoli "Boss" that I am going to sell

I have the same one. Great rifle! Buy it!

Bob,

I can only think the cleanup issues are from "mixing" your shooting. Before you shoot the TRUE powder, you must first pay pennance for the heathen powders you've sinned with by removing ALL smokeless solvents and lubes from your gun and bore. Some smokeless solvents will mix with BP solvents and make a mess.

My cleanup is quicker and easier than a smokeless rifle cleanup. After shooting, I use a bore snake whetted with windex with vineagar pulled through the bore a couple of times, then a patch whetted with same pushed through once, then a few dry patches, like 3 or 4, then a patch with oil. That's it, the bore's clean.

Then I wipe down the outside of the gun. I usually don't have to remove the block because the action stays clean.

Takes MAYBE 10 min from start to finish to clean one.

Buy a 45-90 or have a 45-70 reamed. You can shoot both successfully. If you need a little more zip shoot 45-90's but if the chamber is done right 45-70s work great in it as well.

I asked a fellow I am acquainted with about punching out my Pedersoli 45-70 to a 45-110 or 45-120. He suggested against it.

He is seriously into BPCR (has had some articles published, designed his own molds, etc.) and thinks highly of the 45-70 for all but the most experienced loaders. He added that the 45-120 is only comfortable for most in a fourteen pound rifle.