IAB Sharps 63 Carbine

[oscarlovel]

For better or worse, I just traded into an IAB Sharps 63 Carbine in 54 cal. I won't have too much in it, so hopefully I can afford to sink some time and effort into getting it to shoot ok. I have onhand a Rapine 544465 mold that I've had for a while. It is the wadcutter design. I used a similar design for 50 yd. loads in my Shiloh back in the 90's. Has anyone had any experience using this bullet in the IAB. I would also appreciate any hints, loads, etc. concerning the IAB. FWIW, I do not shoot N-SSA anymore. Wish I could, but it is not to be, so this will be used as a plinker and maybe in an NCOWS match every now and then. I just loved my Shiloh, but cannot justify the cost anymore. Wish I still had it though. Someone on Forrest's Escort Company is probably still shooting it, as I sold it to Jim Koch when I had to quit N-SSA due to an auto injury.

[oscarlovel]

ANyone?

[Dominic Infante, 8359V]

Allow me to offer at least a partial explanation of why you have received little response to a query that many of us enjoy discussing. Because you have used a pseudonym you are identified with that vast culture of anonymity that pervades the internet. There are many of us in the N-SSA who are opposed to this culture. I know of several members who have left this BB and have gone to other internet sites to discuss Civil War shooting and history. Permitting anonymity on this BB is seen by several persons that I have spoken to as at least partially responsible for the radical dismantling of this site that we experienced recently. Quite simply, anonymity is a disinhibitor. People who are able to speak anonymously say things they would not say if they were identifiable. Thus, a large portion of the insults, name calling, and assorted other forms of verbal aggression that occurred here and that led to the dismantling probably never would have been said if the persons were not allowed to speak anonymously.

The metaphor for this BB is a cyber-campfire. At Fort Shenandoah we spend time sitting around campfires at our campsites discussing Civil War shooting and history. If you have something to say, you are welcome to come and sit by our campfire, introduce yourself, let us see you. I do not want to hear a mysterious voice speaking out of the dark! I want to know to whom I am speaking. That is why I and many others that I know do not bother responding to posts by people who use pseudonyms. When I do respond to a post originated by someone using a pseudonym, it usually is because I am actually responding to a follow-up to that post by someone that I know, i.e., that used their name.

If the N-SSA ever restructures this BB I think we should require identification. For N-SSA members that should mean name, competitor number, and team name. For nonmembers, that should mean name, home town, and if a large city, the part of the city, e.g., New York City-Burrough of Queens. If a person is afraid to do this, then they should not be welcomed to our site.

[oscarlovel]

Allow me to offer at least a partial explanation of why you have received little response to a query that many of us enjoy discussing. Because you have used a pseudonym you are identified with that vast culture of anonymity that pervades the internet. There are many of us in the N-SSA who are opposed to this culture. I know of several members who have left this BB and have gone to other internet sites to discuss Civil War shooting and history. Permitting anonymity on this BB is seen by several persons that I have spoken to as at least partially responsible for the radical dismantling of this site that we experienced recently. Quite simply, anonymity is a disinhibitor. People who are able to speak anonymously say things they would not say if they were identifiable. Thus, a large portion of the insults, name calling, and assorted other forms of verbal aggression that occurred here and that led to the dismantling probably never would have been said if the persons were not allowed to speak anonymously.

The metaphor for this BB is a cyber-campfire. At Fort Shenandoah we spend time sitting around campfires at our campsites discussing Civil War shooting and history. If you have something to say, you are welcome to come and sit by our campfire, introduce yourself, let us see you. I do not want to hear a mysterious voice speaking out of the dark! I want to know to whom I am speaking. That is why I and many others that I know do not bother responding to posts by people who use pseudonyms. When I do respond to a post originated by someone using a pseudonym, it usually is because I am actually responding to a follow-up to that post by someone that I know, i.e., that used their name.

If the N-SSA ever restructures this BB I think we should require identification. For N-SSA members that should mean name, competitor number, and team name. For nonmembers, that should mean name, home town, and if a large city, the part of the city i.e., New York City-Burrough of Queens. If a person is afraid to do this, then they should not be welcomed to our site.

While I appreciate the reasoning, your apprehension is unwarranted. My name is Oscar Clinton Powers Lovell, hence oscarlovel. My email address is oscarlovel@xxxx.com. I was a member of Forrest's Escort Company of the Deep South Region during the early to mid 90's and would be a member of N-SSA today if it allowed me to be without being active. As a minister it is simply not possible. I've updated my profile now.

[oscarlovel]

Since I'm no longer "anonymous" -- at least I hope my recent efforts have rendered me legit, is someone now willing to answer my original question?

[Southron Sr.]

Dear Clint:

I have owned two original Sharps, a repro Shiloh, a repro Pedersoli Sharps, etc., but never an IAB Sharps.

That being said, I have a lot of experience with your Sharps' "Cousins."

I would make up 5 round "lots" of ammo, each "lot" with a slightly different powder charge (say, a one grain difference between "lots"). Then bench your Sharps and see which particular charge or "lot" gives you the smallest group. I have a feeling it will be somewhere in the 35 to 40 grains range, but you can never tell for sure because all Sharps are "individuals" when it comes to the best load.

GOOD LUCK!

[mdivancic]

I can't help you directly as I shoot a Pedersoli Sharps and my wife shoot a Armisport. If the gun has not been sighted in drop Jim Brake a PM. He sighted in both of our guns and did a wonderful Job. He also sent both guns off and had the O-ring job done to them. Well worth it. The next person to contact would be Charlie Hahn. He is a wealth of information and the cardboard tubes he sells make shooting and loading for the Sharps a breeze. Both of these gentlemen are first class and a pleasure to talk to.

[matt]

had an iab carbine and was actually banned from firing it at 2 ranges due to the flame from gas leakage setting the wooden bench on fire. i no longer have it and now have an armi sport sharps rifle. maybe i got a bad one but i never had anything but problems with it.
matt
winslows battery 9775v

[remington1858]

Oscarlovel,

I own a IAB sharps and have had good luck with it. Just like you I purchaced it cheap so I had money left over to have an o-ring installed to seal it up. I have won many competitions with this gun using a rapine christmas tree mould with 48 grains of 2f. The lube is a beeswax crisco mix. I make my own paper cartridges out of 20 pound bond paper with curler paper ends. I had a the cartridge tools made and the 20 bond paper cut at kinkos. If you need a sample sent to you give me a e-mail with your phone number and I can explain it in more deph.

Weston Lerma
WestonL@hotmail.com