Sharps or Winchester......

Drifter1885 · October 26, 2013, 09:36 PM

Well, the time has come to start looking over the fence again....I'm down to 3 .45-70's, and one .45-120 Sharps Long Range (Pedersoli). A very well made gun,(the Pedersoli) fit and finish is second to none, impressive accuracy. Aside from weighing about 17 pounds less than a dead cow, one of the nicest guns I have ever owned.

That being said, I am looking at another .45-70; a new Winchester1885, tapered 28" octagon barrel, real nice wood. Also looking at a Chiappa Sharps in .45-70. What is the general opinion of the new Winchester 1885's, and the Chiappa Sharps? Are they any good? Accuracy up to par with other .45-70's, like the various Rolling Blocks, Sharps (Pedersoli) H&R Buffalo Classic, etc?

Thoughts, anyone?

Regards,
Drifter1885

**4V50 Gary** · October 26, 2013, 10:34 PM

I'll take the Browning design.

Old Stony · October 27, 2013, 05:00 AM

Second the vote for the Browning design.

fineredmist · October 27, 2013, 07:10 AM

Here's the third vote for the Browning design, the "New Winchester 1885" is not the same gun as the original Browning design.

Hawg · October 27, 2013, 08:02 AM

I'd go with the Winchester.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · October 27, 2013, 03:20 PM

OP never mentioned the Browning H/W 1885 as a option. So knowing that. I too would choose the Winchester 1885 High wall over Chiappa Sharps.

ihctractor · October 27, 2013, 04:25 PM

I've owned and/or shot all the brand names you mentioned. The Chiappa is a decent shooter but will probably disapoint you if you're using the Pedersoli as a baseline of value, quality, fit and finish.

My "new" Winchester 1885 is nearly flawless in design and beauty with one exception: The "Miroku Japan" that is emblazened way too big on the barrel.
If you can get past that then I would definetly go with the Winchester.

Drifter1885 · October 28, 2013, 07:12 PM

Thanks, all, for your input and thoughts. Found one (a Winchester 1885) I like the look of, now to get it past the finance minister.......

Bill Akins · October 28, 2013, 08:20 PM

Have you checked out the Rossi Rio Grande 45-70 which is a copy of the Marlin model 1895 and cost less than $500.00? I once owned a Marlin 45-70 model 1895 back in the early '80's. Hard butt pad and kicked like a mule. Knocked me back flat on my back from a cross legged sitting position. Traded it even up for a AMT hardballer long slide 1911 in stainless that my nephew now owns.

I heard some bad things about the quality of later (not earlier Marlin 1895's) Marlin model 1895's, chiefly about the later Marlin 1895's front sights being crooked and mis-aligned at the factory as a defect, but haven't heard anything bad about the Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70. I really like that large loop lever on the Rossi Rio Grande too. Plus it has the rubber recoil pad that my old Marlin 1895 didn't have and it comes with the scope bases too that you can take off if you're a purist, or use with a scope.

I know Chuck Conner's (The Rifleman) .44-40, '92 open top Winchesters and Puma Win clones had to have a mod done on them to keep the cartridges from falling out of the action during spin cocking. But with the Rossi (and Marlins) tops not being open, I wonder if that large loop Rossi can be spin cocked without any mod? That Rossi Rio Grande is available in a 20 inch barrel. So it should be short enough to spin cock. But I'd put a loop style front sight protector on that front sight to save me from a bad cut if spin cocking. It screams for a protector anyway whether spin cocking or not. Just looks too sharp and vulnerable to getting hit and bent as it is. Just an observation. Except for that, it's a beautiful 45-70. Would be nice if it were available in a straight stock without the pistol grip.

NoSecondBest · October 29, 2013, 04:10 PM

I've had three Pedersoli Sharps and all were very good shooters. I don't like the weight. I have a Winchester 1885 and it's very well made, decent weight at around 7.5-8.0lbs and shoots lights out. I have no regrets about buying that gun at all. However, my new favorite is a Winchester/Miroku 1886 lever gun in 45-70. It won't shoot with the Sharps or High Wall but is it ever fun to play with and it makes a great hunting rifle. The Win 1885 is a good hunting rifle also. The Pedersoli is just too heavy to enjoy lugging around.

spitpatch · October 29, 2013, 05:03 PM

The 1875 C sharps could be considered. It is different than your other rifles and can be had In many styles & barrel weights & lengths. All the ones I have been around have been great shooters.

Drifter1885 · October 29, 2013, 10:13 PM

That Rossi is a nice looking rifle. I have 2 Marlins, .45-70's, one 1895 Cowboy, I've put a tang sight on it along with a saddle ring I had in my junk box. My other Marlin is an XLR, stainless/laminated. Both good shooters, not tack drivers, but decent. I tend to lean towards single shots, preferring them for hunting. My Sharps is just for target; but, HEAVY. Couldn't pack it in the bush. Another .45-70 I have (and like) is an HR Buffalo Classic. First thing I did with it after trying it out was remove the globe front and install the lowest globe sight Lyman makes. Took it from a 100 yard gun to a 350 yard gun. Great gun for the money.

Drifter1885 · October 29, 2013, 10:55 PM

One question on the Winchester 1885: how does it handle blackpowder and cast bullets?

Thanks in advance;

October 26, 2013, 09:36 PM	#1
Drifter1885 Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2013 Posts: 13	Sharps or Winchester...... Well, the time has come to start looking over the fence again....I'm down to 3 .45-70's, and one .45-120 Sharps Long Range (Pedersoli). A very well made gun,(the Pedersoli) fit and finish is second to none, impressive accuracy. Aside from weighing about 17 pounds less than a dead cow, one of the nicest guns I have ever owned. That being said, I am looking at another .45-70; a new Winchester1885, tapered 28" octagon barrel, real nice wood. Also looking at a Chiappa Sharps in .45-70. What is the general opinion of the new Winchester 1885's, and the Chiappa Sharps? Are they any good? Accuracy up to par with other .45-70's, like the various Rolling Blocks, Sharps (Pedersoli) H&R Buffalo Classic, etc? Thoughts, anyone? Regards, Drifter1885

October 26, 2013, 10:34 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	I'll take the Browning design. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 28, 2013, 08:20 PM	#9
Bill Akins Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2007 Location: Hudson, Florida Posts: 1,135	Have you checked out the Rossi Rio Grande 45-70 which is a copy of the Marlin model 1895 and cost less than $500.00? I once owned a Marlin 45-70 model 1895 back in the early '80's. Hard butt pad and kicked like a mule. Knocked me back flat on my back from a cross legged sitting position. Traded it even up for a AMT hardballer long slide 1911 in stainless that my nephew now owns. I heard some bad things about the quality of later (not earlier Marlin 1895's) Marlin model 1895's, chiefly about the later Marlin 1895's front sights being crooked and mis-aligned at the factory as a defect, but haven't heard anything bad about the Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70. I really like that large loop lever on the Rossi Rio Grande too. Plus it has the rubber recoil pad that my old Marlin 1895 didn't have and it comes with the scope bases too that you can take off if you're a purist, or use with a scope. I know Chuck Conner's (The Rifleman) .44-40, '92 open top Winchesters and Puma Win clones had to have a mod done on them to keep the cartridges from falling out of the action during spin cocking. But with the Rossi (and Marlins) tops not being open, I wonder if that large loop Rossi can be spin cocked without any mod? That Rossi Rio Grande is available in a 20 inch barrel. So it should be short enough to spin cock. But I'd put a loop style front sight protector on that front sight to save me from a bad cut if spin cocking. It screams for a protector anyway whether spin cocking or not. Just looks too sharp and vulnerable to getting hit and bent as it is. Just an observation. Except for that, it's a beautiful 45-70. Would be nice if it were available in a straight stock without the pistol grip. __________________ "This is my Remy and this is my Colt. Remy loads easy and topstrap strong, Colt balances better and never feels wrong. A repro black powder revolver gun, they smoke and shoot lead and give me much fun. I can't figure out which one I like better, they're both fine revolvers that fit in my leather". "To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target". Last edited by Bill Akins; October 28, 2013 at 10:44 PM.

October 27, 2013, 05:00 AM	#3
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Second the vote for the Browning design.

October 27, 2013, 07:10 AM	#4
fineredmist Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Wethersfield, ct Posts: 128	Here's the third vote for the Browning design, the "New Winchester 1885" is not the same gun as the original Browning design.

October 27, 2013, 08:02 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'd go with the Winchester.

October 27, 2013, 03:20 PM	#6
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	OP never mentioned the Browning H/W 1885 as a option. So knowing that. I too would choose the Winchester 1885 High wall over Chiappa Sharps.

October 27, 2013, 04:25 PM	#7
ihctractor Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 78	I've owned and/or shot all the brand names you mentioned. The Chiappa is a decent shooter but will probably disapoint you if you're using the Pedersoli as a baseline of value, quality, fit and finish. My "new" Winchester 1885 is nearly flawless in design and beauty with one exception: The "Miroku Japan" that is emblazened way too big on the barrel. If you can get past that then I would definetly go with the Winchester.

October 28, 2013, 07:12 PM	#8
Drifter1885 Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2013 Posts: 13	Thanks, all, for your input and thoughts. Found one (a Winchester 1885) I like the look of, now to get it past the finance minister.......

October 29, 2013, 04:10 PM	#10
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	I've had three Pedersoli Sharps and all were very good shooters. I don't like the weight. I have a Winchester 1885 and it's very well made, decent weight at around 7.5-8.0lbs and shoots lights out. I have no regrets about buying that gun at all. However, my new favorite is a Winchester/Miroku 1886 lever gun in 45-70. It won't shoot with the Sharps or High Wall but is it ever fun to play with and it makes a great hunting rifle. The Win 1885 is a good hunting rifle also. The Pedersoli is just too heavy to enjoy lugging around.

October 29, 2013, 05:03 PM	#11
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 171	The 1875 C sharps could be considered. It is different than your other rifles and can be had In many styles & barrel weights & lengths. All the ones I have been around have been great shooters.

October 29, 2013, 10:13 PM	#12
Drifter1885 Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2013 Posts: 13	That Rossi is a nice looking rifle. I have 2 Marlins, .45-70's, one 1895 Cowboy, I've put a tang sight on it along with a saddle ring I had in my junk box. My other Marlin is an XLR, stainless/laminated. Both good shooters, not tack drivers, but decent. I tend to lean towards single shots, preferring them for hunting. My Sharps is just for target; but, HEAVY. Couldn't pack it in the bush. Another .45-70 I have (and like) is an HR Buffalo Classic. First thing I did with it after trying it out was remove the globe front and install the lowest globe sight Lyman makes. Took it from a 100 yard gun to a 350 yard gun. Great gun for the money.

October 29, 2013, 10:55 PM	#13
Drifter1885 Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2013 Posts: 13	One question on the Winchester 1885: how does it handle blackpowder and cast bullets? Thanks in advance;