1885 High Wall or 1874 Sharps?

[rdnck]

Get a Sharps. Every highwall as well as everything else in your gunsafe cries itself to sleep every night hoping it will be a Sharps in the morning when it wakes up. Do what you need to do, but get a Shiloh and you will never second guess yourself or wish you had gotten something else. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Nuclearcricket]

From what I hear on other boards the Uberti can be re-worked into something nice that can shoot well. A Shiloh just needs to be unpacked and a few cleaning patches run through the bore and its range ready.
Sam

[Mike]

Ed333, I must agree, somewhat, with most of the others by suggesting you get a Sharps. My choice is a rifle from C. Sharps Arms. They make both the Hartford version and the Bridgeport version as well as a Hunter's Rifle. Of course, C. Sharps Arms also makes a Highwall and a Sharps Model 1875, and a Hepburn. But my choice is the Model 1874 Sharps. However, I also like and have a Highwall but I can admit how I can see myself with just a Sharps, not with just a Highwall. Also, you seem to be fairly well read and your writing is very good. Maybe you have already seen Mike Venturino's book Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West and if you haven't seen it, I will recommend that you get a copy. In his book, Mike talks about the various types of buffalo rifles including the Highwall. However, his book, like our attitudes, is more or less filled with tales and tributes to the '74 Sharps. He also goes through each of the buffalo cartridges with history and loading data. I'm sure you will enjoy seeing that book and perhaps you already have. For more good reading, in my opinion, you can go to the Publications section of this forum and read through The American Sharps Shooters just by calling them up. Reading some of the shooters' stories might help you form your own opinions about which gun you will favor. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Martini2]

I see there is an abundance of advice already on this thread. So for what it's worth here some more. The ideal happening is that you find a suitable 45-70 that fits your needs and setting. All due respect to this board you have asked for info in one of the best places. However there do exist some hard holder competitors that of course have talents and expertise to extract the best from the best. That puts the "what is necessary for beginner" at high level. The essential thing is do your back ground work and indeed ask many questions on topic.
As noted already there are several given high end rifle sources like C. Sharps. They make a significantly good product with known quality etc. Then there are those other sources. I do own and compete with an Italian '74 Sharps. I'll relate that it has taken some time to get to know exactly what it needs to shoot. For instance the barrel bore specs on these off shore rifles vary and by design are slightly more generous. In detail it takes a slightly larger cast boolet or mold to fill out the bore. Once you are on to that performance picks up to where you know you have to do your part. Lastly (am not selling here ;-) my rifle was made by Cimarron and is there 1 of 1000 Creedmoor target model. What I really wanted are the 34 " barrel. Shotgun butt plate (no peril from steel butt plate). I have also considerably updated sight set. Good sights are another key and may cost as much as some rifles. BUT they do raise the fun meter once the load PARTICULAR to any rifle is found. With right bullet design and load this rifle has competed out to 1028 yards and still exceeded my humble abilities. Last this alternative rifle did not require 1 or more years waiting for. If I could really compete more (70+ years) I'd probably graduate to high end equipment. One can always keep and eye out for a great deal too. Aim small it works on them all

[Gunlaker]

I don't necessarily agree with rdnck about the highwall vs. Sharps thing. My highwalls have my Sharps rifles outnumbered and surrounded :-)

But I will agree that you will never ever regret buying a Shiloh Sharps. I've bought a lot of black powder rifles from several manufacturers and I can say that Shiloh the only company that has never disappointed me in any way.

Chris.

[Cody Smith]

My young daughter wants a bicycle and of course I am hesitant to buy her one if she may not really like bicycling. I found a Italian made one with square wheels. It is only about 2/3 the price of a really good one. I figure if she rides it and likes it, then I can upgrade the wheels, then possible the brakes, seat, handle bars, and frame later. If she doesn't like it, I probably won't be able to resell it, but I won't have to pony up quite as much dough as a good one would cost. What do you think guys? Good plan??

[Lumpy Grits]

My young daughter wants a bicycle and of course I am hesitant to buy her one if she may not really like bicycling. I found a Italian made one with square wheels. It is only about 2/3 the price of a really good one. I figure if she rides it and likes it, then I can upgrade the wheels, then possible the brakes, seat, handle bars, and frame later. If she doesn't like it, I probably won't be able to resell it, but I won't have to pony up quite as much dough as a good one would cost. What do you think guys? Good plan??

You forgot
Train'n wheels-
Gary

[Nuclearcricket]

One other thing to consider also is support after the sale. If you have a part failure on one of the off shore rifles who knows if and/or when you can get a replacement part. Shiloh or C.Sharps a replacement is only a phone call away and a few days for the delivery man to show up.
Just a little something to keep in mind.
Sam

[Lumpy Grits]

Browning is pretty good on support also.
Gary

[Ed333]

<snip... However there do exist some hard holder competitors that of course have talents and expertise to extract the best from the best. That puts the "what is necessary for beginner" at high level. .... Last this alternative rifle did not require 1 or more years waiting for. If I could really compete more (70+ years) I'd probably graduate to high end equipment. ...<snip>...

I should have added, I am about to turn 75, don't want to risk a long wait, just want to get out there some this summer, if we ever see summer again. (Listening to my roof creak...biggest snow load I can remember..)
So you could look at it two ways, I don't have time to waste working through "beginner" pieces, or, might as well just dab my toes in the water, cause it is not a long haul proposition. I sat out last summer's F class season, did not feel up to it, feeling better this year.
Ed