1885 High Wall or 1874 Sharps?

[Cody Smith]

Congratulations on deciding to take the plunge in to BPCR shooting! I only wish I had done it sooner. I do think that most everyone eventually comes up with their own way of doing things and the way one guy does it and wins, the next guy can't make work at all. I have had some ups and downs myself and lately have been confident in my shooting and reloading abilities.

That being said, I have to disagree with several of your ideas. First and at the risk of sh@t storm from those that disagree, I have no interest in owning any of the Italian guns. I have owned and extensively shot seven different versions and find them vastly inferior to our American versions or even the Japanese Winchester and Brownings. In my opinions they are for the folks that like to talk about them more than shoot them. For facts to back up this statement, just look at the equipment list of any major shoots. Very, very few people are winning with them. If accuracy is truly important to you, I wouldn't go that way. Also, I positively hate the crescent buttplate. I can find absolutely no reason to buy one. The shotgun butt plate is not just preferred, as far as I am concerned, it is a requirement.

As far as sharps verses highwall, in theory the high wall should be an advantage, but in reality it doesn't really appear to be. Buy the one you like better and learn to shoot it. My suggestion for a first rifle is to find a nice used 1885 Browning or Winchester BPCR version that came with quality factory vernier sights, buy a case of powder and a creedmoor mold, and start learning.
Good Luck!
Cody