I built this rifle as a Hartford sporting rifle in 40/70 using a machined receiver and a mix of original, hand made, Shiloh and Italian parts. The wood is from a piece that was going to be a different project and the barrel came from Douglas as a blank. My friend invited me to hunt with him on some land he just bought in Wyoming. The load is 65 grains of Old Ensford 2f one card and a 305 grain grease groove lubed with SPG. A very pleasant experience with a good friend.
IMG_0357 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
First with a 40
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First with a 40
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.
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Re: First with a 40
Congratulations James nice deer. Good to see another Sharps out in the field. We killed a deer Monday with a Shiloh. If my untech self can figure out the photo thing I might post.
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Re: First with a 40
James, always great to see somebody hunting with a real rifle and doing it right! What alloy did you cast and what kind of nose does the bullet have? The proof that the bullet worked is your deer but were you pleased with the performance? I didn't draw in Wyoming this year so my 40-70 SS rifles are still untested in the field by me. I have bullets from 340 grains to 400 grains and several have huge flat meplats. I normally cast with 20:1 but have been playing with 40:1 with no leading with smokeless. I have duplex blackpowder loads for all of the bullets as well. Congratulations on a nice rifle build and a nice hunt! Tom
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Re: First with a 40
Nice deer and should be great eating too!!
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Re: First with a 40
The bullet is cast 1-20 in the RCBS 40-300 mold. The medplate in about .175” and with a sample size of one I’m satisfied with its performance.
Steak and jerky has been first rate.
Steak and jerky has been first rate.
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.
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Re: First with a 40
40-70 2.5"SS OR THE 40-70 2.25" SBN James? How long a shot did you get.? Bobw
bobw
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Re: First with a 40
When you figure out how to post the pics Pete do a tutorial for the rest of us untechies.bobw
bobw
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Re: First with a 40
40 x 2 1/2” straight. The shot was taken from a staggering 47 yards. Now I have shot deer with 40, 45, 50 and 54 calibre Sharps. I don’t see a 44 being added to this list.
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.
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Re: First with a 40
James
What part of Wyoming were you hunting in. I used to hunt in the Douglas area.
Dave
What part of Wyoming were you hunting in. I used to hunt in the Douglas area.
Dave
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Re: First with a 40
Just outside of Sundance, the black hills country.
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.