New to this forum

MarcB · January 25, 2013, 11:54 AM

Hi all.
My name is Marc and I've been shooting black powder rifles for over 40 years. I had a gun shop about 20 years ago so I stocked up on just about everything one could need. My favorite gun is a Shiloh Sharps 50-140 Express. I am starting to run low on powder. I have one 8# keg of Hodgdons CTG powder left but this big brute goes through powder like mad and I'm shooting it more now that I'm retired. My question is that what options are available after I run out? I like the Pyrodex cause it cleans up so easy. Thanks in advance.

kraigwy · January 25, 2013, 11:59 AM

If you like Pyrodex, get some more, it's still around and still works.

Idaho Spud · January 25, 2013, 12:05 PM

Welcome. IMO this is the best BP site on the web, very knowledgeable folks here. Unlike you, I'm new to BP shooting. I use Pyrodex as it's what's available in my locale. Some here swear by it, others wouldn't shoot their guns if Pyro was all that existed. Works for me....... you'll like it here.

Fingers McGee · January 25, 2013, 01:08 PM

Welcome to the Forum Marc. I'm one of those that wouldn't use Pyrodex if it was the only thing available. For a big bore cartridge rifle, I'd be leaning towards Swiss as first choice with Shuetzen as a back-up.

deerslayer303 · January 25, 2013, 01:13 PM

Welcome Marc

Doc Hoy · January 25, 2013, 01:19 PM

Your input will be helpful to all of us with your experience.

spitpatch · January 25, 2013, 01:28 PM

I also would go with real black. Swiss is #1, but with the brute you are shooting Thinking your not competing you might try Kik powder. You can buy it by the case from ( Powder Inc ). Good guy to ask questions of also.
Welcome. Jim H

MarcB · January 25, 2013, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I'll keep your suggestions in mind. I should be able to get about 2 more years out of the Pyrodex, except the gun is so much fun to shoot and the accuracy is great. I added a slip on recoil pad to the rifle even though it came with a recoil pad and it feels like shooting a 12 gauge, tamed it way down.

North East Redneck · January 25, 2013, 07:56 PM

Marc,
Welcome. Sounds like you have a lot of time with the BP. Always nice to have even more knowledge here. This site is the best I've been able to find. Great people here.

deerslayer303 · January 25, 2013, 08:24 PM

Marc, Lets see this BEAST!

shortwave · January 25, 2013, 11:02 PM

Welcome Marc...

... and yes, it would sure be a pleasure to see your Sharps.

MarcB · January 26, 2013, 12:03 PM

I hope these pictures are good enough.

Some specs on the rifle:

name: Shiloh 50-140 "Express" Sharps
weight: 23+ pounds
barrel length: 35"
trigger pull: 1/2 pound
manufactured: 1980
cost $650 (dealer cost since I was a dealer).
best grouping (I was a better shot back then) 6" at 300 yards (7 shots with the best and worst thrown out). Now days I'm just happy to hit the target.

Note the extra recoil pad. The vernier sight in this picture is set at 200 yards.

deerslayer303 · January 26, 2013, 12:47 PM

Wow what a beautiful shoulder mounted CANNON

What is the powder charge in one of those cases? Does the "140" stand for the charge or the length of the case?

MarcB · January 26, 2013, 12:55 PM

Forgot to post the load. 50 stands for cal. 140 stands for 140 grains of black powder. I'm loading it with 122 grains of Pyrodex. Case length is 3.25".

deerslayer303 · January 26, 2013, 01:08 PM

Oh ok, see I always wondered that. I thought it was length like in 45-70, 45-90, 45-110. So its the charge. Got it. See I have learned something today so the day wasn't wasted

pnolans · January 26, 2013, 02:15 PM

Welcome aboard. I'm new here too, and new to Blackpowder.
Very friendly, helpful people here. Hope you like it as much as I do.

spitpatch · January 26, 2013, 02:43 PM

Thats an 1874 assualt rifle!!!

deerslayer303 · January 26, 2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Thats an 1874 assualt rifle!!!

NOPE thats the Barrett M82's GRANDFATHER

Hawg Haggen · January 26, 2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Oh ok, see I always wondered that. I thought it was length like in 45-70, 45-90, 45-110. So its the charge.

Length is part of it because bp always fills the case with no air space but yeah the numbers are bullet size and powder charge.

Bishop Creek · January 26, 2013, 05:46 PM

A Shiloh Sharps 50-140 Express? I would run only the finest Swiss black powder down the barrel of that beauty. Order it from Track of the Wolf:

Swiss brand: "Imported in sporting grades Fg, FFg, FFFg, and the intermediate F-1/2g granulation for Sharps rifles."

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/135/1

Willie Sutton · January 26, 2013, 08:08 PM

Welcome Aboard, and WHAT a rifle... well done!

Willie

.

MarcB · January 27, 2013, 10:21 AM

Where can I buy the Swiss powder in smaller batches. as a full cases is a little steep for me, plus unless they changed the law, here in CA. max allowed is 10#'s.

deerslayer303 · January 27, 2013, 10:29 AM

Marc,
www.powderinc.com sells lots in as little as 5 lbs.

MarcB · January 27, 2013, 10:51 AM

thanks

shortwave · January 28, 2013, 09:10 PM

Truly a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

January 25, 2013, 11:59 AM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,606	If you like Pyrodex, get some more, it's still around and still works. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 25, 2013, 01:08 PM	#4
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,717	Welcome to the Forum Marc. I'm one of those that wouldn't use Pyrodex if it was the only thing available. For a big bore cartridge rifle, I'd be leaning towards Swiss as first choice with Shuetzen as a back-up. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

January 25, 2013, 01:13 PM	#5
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Welcome Marc __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 25, 2013, 01:19 PM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,347	Welcome to the congregation Your input will be helpful to all of us with your experience. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

January 25, 2013, 01:28 PM	#7
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: oklahoma Posts: 116	powder I also would go with real black. Swiss is #1, but with the brute you are shooting Thinking your not competing you might try Kik powder. You can buy it by the case from ( Powder Inc ). Good guy to ask questions of also. Welcome. Jim H

January 25, 2013, 11:54 AM	#1
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	New to this forum Hi all. My name is Marc and I've been shooting black powder rifles for over 40 years. I had a gun shop about 20 years ago so I stocked up on just about everything one could need. My favorite gun is a Shiloh Sharps 50-140 Express. I am starting to run low on powder. I have one 8# keg of Hodgdons CTG powder left but this big brute goes through powder like mad and I'm shooting it more now that I'm retired. My question is that what options are available after I run out? I like the Pyrodex cause it cleans up so easy. Thanks in advance.

January 25, 2013, 12:05 PM	#3
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 147	Welcome. IMO this is the best BP site on the web, very knowledgeable folks here. Unlike you, I'm new to BP shooting. I use Pyrodex as it's what's available in my locale. Some here swear by it, others wouldn't shoot their guns if Pyro was all that existed. Works for me....... you'll like it here.

January 25, 2013, 07:47 PM	#8
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	Thanks for the welcome. I'll keep your suggestions in mind. I should be able to get about 2 more years out of the Pyrodex, except the gun is so much fun to shoot and the accuracy is great. I added a slip on recoil pad to the rifle even though it came with a recoil pad and it feels like shooting a 12 gauge, tamed it way down.

January 25, 2013, 07:56 PM	#9
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 303	Marc, Welcome. Sounds like you have a lot of time with the BP. Always nice to have even more knowledge here. This site is the best I've been able to find. Great people here. __________________ NRA Life Member Goal Member SAF Member

January 25, 2013, 08:24 PM	#10
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Marc, Lets see this BEAST! __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 25, 2013, 11:02 PM	#11
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,006	Welcome Marc... ... and yes, it would sure be a pleasure to see your Sharps.

January 26, 2013, 12:03 PM	#12
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	I hope these pictures are good enough. Some specs on the rifle: name: Shiloh 50-140 "Express" Sharps weight: 23+ pounds barrel length: 35" trigger pull: 1/2 pound manufactured: 1980 cost $650 (dealer cost since I was a dealer). best grouping (I was a better shot back then) 6" at 300 yards (7 shots with the best and worst thrown out). Now days I'm just happy to hit the target. Note the extra recoil pad. The vernier sight in this picture is set at 200 yards.

January 26, 2013, 12:47 PM	#13
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Wow what a beautiful shoulder mounted CANNON What is the powder charge in one of those cases? Does the "140" stand for the charge or the length of the case? __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 26, 2013, 12:55 PM	#14
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	Forgot to post the load. 50 stands for cal. 140 stands for 140 grains of black powder. I'm loading it with 122 grains of Pyrodex. Case length is 3.25".

January 26, 2013, 01:08 PM	#15
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Oh ok, see I always wondered that. I thought it was length like in 45-70, 45-90, 45-110. So its the charge. Got it. See I have learned something today so the day wasn't wasted __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 26, 2013, 02:15 PM	#16
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 93	Welcome aboard. I'm new here too, and new to Blackpowder. Very friendly, helpful people here. Hope you like it as much as I do. __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

January 26, 2013, 02:43 PM	#17
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: oklahoma Posts: 116	Sharps Thats an 1874 assualt rifle!!!

January 26, 2013, 05:46 PM	#20
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 195	A Shiloh Sharps 50-140 Express? I would run only the finest Swiss black powder down the barrel of that beauty. Order it from Track of the Wolf: Swiss brand: "Imported in sporting grades Fg, FFg, FFFg, and the intermediate F-1/2g granulation for Sharps rifles." http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/135/1 Last edited by Bishop Creek; January 26, 2013 at 09:02 PM.

January 26, 2013, 08:08 PM	#21
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Welcome Aboard, and WHAT a rifle... well done! Willie .

January 27, 2013, 10:21 AM	#22
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	Where can I buy the Swiss powder in smaller batches. as a full cases is a little steep for me, plus unless they changed the law, here in CA. max allowed is 10#'s.

January 27, 2013, 10:29 AM	#23
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: McMinnville TN Posts: 1,116	Marc, www.powderinc.com sells lots in as little as 5 lbs. __________________ "You're so drunk you cant hit nothin, In fact you're probably seeing double"...."I have TWO GUNS one for each of ya"

January 27, 2013, 10:51 AM	#24
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 29	thanks

January 28, 2013, 09:10 PM	#25
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,006	Truly a beauty. Thanks for sharing.