This is my first posting, I have looked from the outside in and have seen that there is a wealth of knowledge and information available here. Thanks in advance.

I've been looking at the single shot 45-70's and the other day I saw a Taylor & Co. Sharps Silhouette model which look really nice, I have read some postings that one has to be careful with some of the Italian imports. Obviously, the rifle to get would be the Montana manufactured Sharps rifles but my wallet isn't that thick. I have heard much good about the Pedersoli's but they run a bit more than the Taylor I saw. Is this a bargain or is it a case of you get what you pay for? Thanks.

Cookselk
The first choice is a Shiloh Sharps that is the best of the best. I own two in 45-70 and put them up against any custom rifle made.
But if you are on a limited budget get the Pedersoli they will shoot along side the Shiloh's and in fact win many of the shoots. I have to say the barrels are as good a quality as the Shiloh's its just the fit finish and wood quality that differs.
All other imports are of lesser quality and I would not waste my money on them.

check out gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com
They have quite a few sharps from all makers. Some of the deals have everything youd need to get in one package

welcome to AR

Question: is it possible to get the shilos in more modern calibers?

Or is the action to weak? Or are they trying to keep an nostalgic theme?

If you are truely intrested I am thinking about selling my Ped. creedmore #2 target rifle in 45/70. Great gun really fun accurate as hell but I have not shot it in a few years so I am thinking about selling it. Let me know.

Shiloh has publicly claimed that their 1874 Sharps' rifles will handle anything a Ruger #1 can stand. That is an impressive statement, because the #1 is well-known as a strong action.

The most "modern" caliber in Shiloh's listing is the .30-40 Krag (only in some models). That idea intrigues me every time I think about it.

I recently had my Shiloh .50-2.5" rebarreled by them to the boring old .45-70....'cept it's not a bit boring, to me!

There's an active discussion forum on Shiloh's website, with stacks of info. Go to:

www.shilohrifle.com

and nose around. There are some VERY tempting things available there.

The Taylor Sharps is one of the lesser quality Italian clones and should be avoided; I seen two that ringed the chamber and had to be rebarrelled. My smith has worked on a couple and reheat treated the hammer and sear because they are soft.

I've shot Pedersoli's for over 10 years and the latest models are as good as any, including Shiloh, in terms of function and accuracy. Finish of the Shiloh is the best without doubt.

My Pedersoli 50/90 (2004) is the most accurate in my rack particularly since I purchased a Paul Jones 650gn Creedmore mould which is toleranced to perfectly match the internal dimensions of the bore.

Pedersoli have a way of making barrels with parallel bores and tapered lands. My bore measures .510 while the land diameter at the chamber end is .5015 and .500 at muzzle. The standard factory John Bodine rolling block has set some impressive scores for a standard factory rifle. I've shot 5 shot groups from a bench with my Sharps silhouette model 45/70 under 1 inch.

Top to Bottom;
50/90 Boss Gun
50/70 Long Range
45/70 Silhouette
40/65 Silhouette
45/70 Rolling block Target
45/70 Rolling block Buffalo

I'll share some of my limited experiences when shopping for my first BPCR several years ago, hoping that it helps.

Firstly, fit and finish are not the end-all and be-all, but they can be somwhat telling about the overall quality of the rifle. Shiloh and C. Sharps make truly stunning looking rifles and the fit, etc., is perfect. Their reputations as performers is well-established.

Taylors, Traditions, and other Italian imports ,except for the better Pedersolis, have less satisfying attention to detail and don't have reputations for accuracy and long-term dependability...as attested to above.

The Pedersoli's marketed under their own name (you might find a Pedersoli barrel on a Traditions rifle, for example ) have very good ( not great ) fit and finish and are quite reliable and accurate. On a "good day" I can also get 1" groups.

The Pedersoli is generally considered the "best value."