C. Sharps Big Fifty?

[Mike]

Eric, As Chief Dan George said in Little Big Man, after he had laid down to die but found, as it was raining, that he was still in this world, "I was afraid of that..!" When I was back at "the shop" in June I sat for several minutes with that #2 barreled Bridgeport across my lap. Try as I might, I couldn't justify having four .50/90s, especially when that rifle is almost a twin to my Hartford. Anyway, good doin's, you "declared war" at the right time. I wouldn't have put the barrel sights on that gun but I'm sure I've done things you wouldn't do as well. Next, get that bullet from Accurate and give us a good report.
Also, I have the KAL mould for the adjustable paper patch, bought from Dean Becker (and I'll bet he has another one). That bullet works rather well for me even when cast at the 473 (approx.) grains and loaded over 90 grains of Olde Eynsford 2F. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Gunlaker]

That looks like a good gun. I have a Bridgeport in .45-110 and it's excellent. It's good that you took chief Dan George's advice. He was a wise man :-)

Chris.

[Eric Johanen]

Thank's Gunlaker. It is exactly configured the way I wanted for a "Big Fifty"! Having them install the barrel mounted rear sight should make it perfect for my intended uses. Mike, I just ordered the Accurate Molds 51-550S so we will see how it works in that 1X26 twist. I have OE 1.5 and 2 fg and KIK 2fg on hand and .060 vegi wads and poly wads cut from gallon milk cartons that I use in my 50 70. Die set and brass is on the way and I just returned from my dealer who got the ffl off to C. Sharps. Now we must wait for everything to come together! Tomorrow will be 50 70 day on the range. I'll get off a full report when I take delivery and have a chance to try it out.

[Mike]

Eric, It sounds like you have everything on its way. Maybe I can swap you some bullets for a few of those 51-550s. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Eric Johanen]

Sure thing Mike. I'll let you know when I get a chance to run a few. I'll start at 20/1 and see how they work out. I'll check with Dean and if he doesn't have one in stock I'll order the mold from Rick. I believe I'll use it for steel matches and a buffalo hunt in the future. Have had good success with those open iron sights out to 400 so far but need a bit of work for 5 and 6 hundred.

[Mike]

Best of luck to you, Eric, and we'll keep in touch. Also, I need work from 50 yards and on out... Shoot sharp, Mike

[R-71]

I have c. Sharps 50/90, it shoots the RCBS 515 grain bullet pretty well. Mine drop around 530 grains.

I have shot some 550 PP bullets which shot acceptably, but it really started to show accuracy with a BACO .492 600 grain PP bullet. I have shot 3" groups at 200 yards with it.

My rifle is about 13 lbs with a 32" barrel. It was a rack gun listed as a "BIlly Dixon" model that I bought a couple of years ago.

I saw that bull barreled gun on C. sharps website, I would have done the same thing with regards to the sights! Beautiful rifles!

Good luck with the load development!

[Eric Johanen]

Lucrezia spoke for the first time today! C. Sharps built a wonderful rifle with this one. I fire formed 20 pieces of Starline brass: 11 rounds with 95.0 grains of screened GOEX 1 fg from 1994 with CCI LR primer, .030 vegi wad, 1/8" dry lubed felt wad, note card wad with the BACO 511-500 grain FN bullet. No so good at 100 yards. Bullet is just too light/short for the 1X26 twist. 9 rounds loaded with 105.0 grains of the same GOEX 1 fg, CCI LR primers .030 vegi wad and a poly wad cut from 1 gallon milk carton. BACO 512-625 grain Creedmoor. Little windage adjustment and decided how much front blade to hold and it would shoot sub 2" groups at 100 yards from the bench. Not bad for the first load out of the box! With the heavy barrel and shotgun butt she's a pussycat. Nice shove back and just a hint of torque. Can not wait to try the Accurate 51-550S and some of the Sagebrush Paul Jones 650 grain Creedmoor bullets. Lucrezia is going to be one really fine shooting rifle!

[Hiwall55]

Looks like my creedmoor shot pretty good, want to try another. 670 grain paper patch, .504 wrap it to .512, shoots real good. I can send it to you and try it then send it back.

[Eric Johanen]

Thank you Hiwall55 That would be really nice of you. Promise to take real good care of it and return it in excellent condition. Yes, it did shoot those Creedmoor's very well! The rifle did surprise me with how little recoil there was to that load. The way it is set up I do believe it has less felt recoil that my 12 pound+ Shiloh #1 30 inch heavy barrel in 45 90 shooting my long range load of a BACO pp 535 grain money bullet with 98 grains of Swiss 1.5 fg. We are going to get along very well!