New heavy barrel varminting rifle

peter72 · Post by **peter72** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:24 pm

And some reloads

mistit · Post by **mistit** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:36 pm

Make a nice long range crow gun

kickinback · Post by **kickinback** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 9:03 pm

Now that's a bit different. Fill us in on the details Pete.

Post by **MISSED** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 9:08 pm

Yep I want some details.

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 9:20 pm

Wowsers, that's a bloody ripper. New rabbit gun eh ??

mick_762 · Post by **mick_762** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:13 am

45/55?

peter72 · Post by **peter72** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:34 am

details:
Pedersoli 1863 sharps paper cartridge .54 cal.
Its a Breech Loader that can take either paper cartridges, or the specially made brass cartridges pre loaded, or you can just pour the powder behind a pre seated bullet. Uses a musket sized cap for ignition.
Projectiles are a cast .541 535 grain "xmas tree" style mold.
I've installed a front tunnel sight and a medium range Creedmoor.
From what I've read its the style of rifle that fits in the era between muzzleloaders and cartridge rifles. Not this style but a military version was used at some point by early snipers in one of the US wars, but please correct me if my history is a bit off on that.
I picked it up last week and have only put a handful of shots through it. When pouring powder directly behind the bullet it takes 85gns of 2f, and I can tell you it has some serious boot

.
Once I've developed a decent load, it will be used for hunting once I get my R licence sorted. And I do plan on taking rabbits with it.

peter72 · Post by **peter72** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:36 am

mick_762 · Post by **mick_762** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:40 am

Looks a serious rabbit gun there Peter,
I think it was during the latter half of the American Civil war that the Confederate soldiers had the use of the Sharps as a sniper rifle, read something about it only during the last week or so but cant remember the exact details.

On closer inspection of your brass - I then realized it couldn't have been the 45/55 as it doesn't have a rim

Mick

kickinback · Post by **kickinback** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:56 am

Ahhhhh, paper cartridges. Authentic "roll your own"

peter72 · Post by **peter72** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:51 pm

Reloaded all the brass cases I bought.
At $6.00 each I only bought 20.
Will have to give paper cartridges a go.

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 5:20 pm

Add a Leupold, Bipod, muzzle brake, and Boyds thumbhole and you'll have a great varminter

Seriously lovely looking piece of kit.

peter72 · Post by **peter72** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:00 pm

A good way to wreck a fine rifle lol

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:12 pm

They sure look interesting mate. Can you show a photo of the open breach of the rifle and also one of the base of those cartridges ? Pretty please.

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:27 pm

peter72 wrote:A good way to wreck a fine rifle lol

Exactly, but then there are varminters around here that just can't leave anything alone.

AusVarmint