Period correct '74 Sharps Buffalo Rifles?

[Don McDowell]

If I were to have only 1 rifle it would be a 44-77, with the 45-90 and the 40-90 in close contention.

[Mike]

    If I had to trim down to just one rifle it would be my .44/77 but my favorite .50/70 is sitting right here asking, "Why not me...?"

[Kurt]

Gunner it's really a tough call between the .44-90 BN and the .44-77. The .44-90 is a flatter shooting rifle but probably more powder then needed but I seen a Bison drop a lot faster using it then the two I took with the .44-77. All three animals were hit in a very close proximity in the lung just above the heart and all would have went down with one shot. But the .44-90 when it hit that bull just humped his back up and his nose drug close to the ground as he walked 50-75 yards and collapsed. I used the same 485 grain bullet of the original sharps profile.
I might go back up in the Colorado wilderness that I hunted Elk in the past and I will take the .44-90 most likely if I feel I can take the 10,000 feet plus altitude.

[Gunner500]

Well, Don, Mike and Kurt,.....................I'll leave this inquiry right where it was before the phone rang several minutes ago when I logged on and was about to ask another question. ;]

[Gunner500]

It's a done deal now Men, I really appreciate ALL the help, opinions, hunting stories and experiences.

As I was about to type another question to you men the phone rang, it was Bill Goodman, we put together an order for a rifle, I'll load the mailbox with a check headed his way in the morning.

Went with a '74 Shiloh #3 Sporter in 44-77 SBN.
30" #1 heavy octagon polished barrel
Bone pack colors
Checkered steel shotgun butt
Schnabel fore end
Fire blued screws
Full buckhorn rear sight with blade front
Semi fancy wood upgrade with hand select option for dark colored wood.

With what all you men shared with me AND the possible availability of "proper head stamped brass" made the choice crystal clear, I'm sure I'll be able to scare up at least 40-60 cases for hunting Africa, I'll have to keep an eye out for them online.

Again, many, many Thanks for all the help Men, now I need to order dies and call Steve Brooks and get a mould on the way.

[Gunner500]

Gunner it's really a tough call between the .44-90 BN and the .44-77. The .44-90 is a flatter shooting rifle but probably more powder then needed but I seen a Bison drop a lot faster using it then the two I took with the .44-77. All three animals were hit in a very close proximity in the lung just above the heart and all would have went down with one shot. But the .44-90 when it hit that bull just humped his back up and his nose drug close to the ground as he walked 50-75 yards and collapsed. I used the same 485 grain bullet of the original sharps profile.
I might go back up in the Colorado wilderness that I hunted Elk in the past and I will take the .44-90 most likely if I feel I can take the 10,000 feet plus altitude.

Kurt, I'll go back and research your posts, IIRC a 44 cal bullet around 1.2" long should weigh 450-460 ish grains, I'll order a mould for that, parallel sided with about a 200 thou meplat.

I'll be thinking of all you guys the first time I level the sights on an animal shooting these a bit lighter for caliber bullets, I don't believe you'd steer me wrong.

[Kurt]

Gunner I ordered a mould from Brooks for the .44 of the original Sharps profile. I wasn't sure how long or heavy I could go with the 19 ROT so I had Steve make the adjustable and a little smaller in diameter then the normal I use for shooting the matches so I could patch it at a lesser diameter for hunting and also use a little thicker paper for the match shooting. For the .44-77 I settled on a 485 gr using 1/20 T/L and 1/25 T/L. I would have to measure one with this alloy but it's close to 1.325 but I'm not sure because what I have left cast I used 16 alloy because I didn't have any lead to mix up another batch. The 16 alloy drops one a lot lighter then the 25. For the .44-90 Bn I use a 500 gr with it's 19 twist and it has done well for the long rang Gong shoots.
When it gets to the point for you to order I will take some measurements.
I also have a GG postell that is over 500 gr that I shot for a while and it shot good.
Some of the money type I have just plain fell on their nose at long ranges for the 77 but the 90 the KAL elliptical is a good long range shooter.
When the time comes let me know and I will let you use the moulds before you order one so you will be able to see if it will work for your rifle.
I don't loan my moulds to often anymore because some never found there way home again and I forgot who I loaned them to.

[Kurt]

By the way, I use this same bullet in the .44-75 ballard and the .44-100 Rem St with 1/16 and 1/17 ROT

[Don McDowell]

If I had to trim down to just one rifle it would be my .44/77 but my favorite .50/70 is sitting right here asking, "Why not me...?"

Tell that 50 it's cuz the 44 is prettier and doesn't use a short dumpy looking case.

[Don McDowell]

Gunner if you wound up with a 44, the only bullet you'll ever need is one like the 3rd from the right. It's a nose pour adjustable dual diameter from Brooks .435 on the straight sided base. You can set it from .410 to 500 grains, customized length to your powder charge and distance being shot.