New Shiloh Sharps #1 45-70

[Eric Johanen]

My friend got the call last week and his rifle was shipped Monday. 30 inch standard octagon barrel and a greaser chamber. He will pick it up Thursday and would like to shoot it Friday. He is very new and has shot my rifles a little bit. Will use it for hunting deer and elk this fall. I'll make sure all the preservative is swabbed out and start will a clean bore. Loaded new Starline brass with WW Large rifle mag primers. 26.0 grains of 5744 and 10 with the 400 grain Lee FN and 10 with the Lyman 405 FN. Primer pockets and flash holes uniformed and all the same case length at 2.101/2.102. Final run through my Shiloh in-line seater die and boxed up ready to light the fires. Will see which bullet it likes best and then work for an accuracy load and adjust sights. I think he will like it! (I'll get him into black powder down the road!!)

[Eric Johanen]

Friend Michael is quite pleased with his choice of rifle. #3 with pack hardened finish, up grade wood, silver blade and full buckhorn rear. Opened the rear a bit and took some off the front and it is now shooting just above the front sight a 100 yards. Very tight groups from bench rest. Next time out will get the 200 yard zero. Roughed in the notch at the bottom of the ladder so it's ready to test and file finish. Loads are Starline brass, Winchester LR Mag primers, 26.5 grains of AA 5744. Both the Lee 405 and the Lyman 418 actual land in the same spot at 100 yards. (6 O'clock hold on the 25 yard timed and rapid with poi just above the front sight) Had him try some Lyman 520 grain RN bullets with Remington brass, Winchester LR Mag primers and 25.5 grains of AA5744 and they land in the group of the 400 grain bullets. Rifle and load are ready for the fall hunt. Whitetail heart groups are the norm with all three bullets. All he needs is practice to be familiar with the sights. A few low and a few high shots due to how much front sight he is using. Total of 30 shots yesterday and one big smile at the session end!

[Fogman01]

You know BP, get him started out right.

[Eric Johanen]

I will do that. For now it's just get him shooting and ready for a fall hunt. Next time we get on the range I'll let him run a few of my BP loads and see what he thinks.