New to this forum

[MarcB]

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]

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

[Idaho Spud]

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]

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]

Welcome Marc

[Doc Hoy]

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

[spitpatch]

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]

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]

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]

Marc, Lets see this BEAST!

[shortwave]

Welcome Marc...

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

[MarcB]

I hope these pictures are good enough.

http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/203/dscn1869tw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/dscn1869tw.jpg/)



http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/594/dscn1868m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/dscn1868m.jpg/)

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]

Wow what a beautiful shoulder mounted CANNON :cool: What is the powder charge in one of those cases? Does the "140" stand for the charge or the length of the case?

[MarcB]

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]

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]

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]

Thats an 1874 assualt rifle!!!

[deerslayer303]

Thats an 1874 assualt rifle!!!

NOPE thats the Barrett M82's GRANDFATHER :D

[Hawg]

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]

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]

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


Willie


.

[MarcB]

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]

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

[MarcB]

thanks

[shortwave]

Truly a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

[asmith]

Although they are out of stock right now, I buy Swiss from Grag&Sons...:)

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501

[10851Man]

I get Swiss Miss Instant Cocoa at Stater Brothers....:D

[MarcB]

I take it that most here use the swiss powder. Does it burn cleaner, more accurate? What granulation do I get? I paid $5.99 a pound for the Pyrodex so jumping up into the $20's is gonna be hard to swallow considering I only get about 38 rounds per pound if that. Only black powder I have used was made by Dupont and that was used in my pistols. The Sharps has never seen b/p. I've been most happy with the pyrodex cause it cleans up fast and doesn't foul while shooting though I must admit the most I've ever shot at one time was thirty rounds and then my body told me to quit. :D. Cleaning is easy. I just spray some Tri-flow in the barrel, let it set for 10 minutes, wire brush it and about 5 patches later it's clean as a whistle. Like I said, I still have about 8#s of pyrodex left but it's going to go fast.I shot about 20 rounds yesterday and the guy next to me had a chrono so we tested the Sharps and with was blowing out a 500 gr slug in the 1700fps range which is pretty darn good. He fired a few rounds and commented how accurate it was.

[deerslayer303]

Pyrodex for us retail buyers is about the same price as Black. Well at least around here.