Shiloh Sharps 50 vs 54

[lastchip]

In an patriotic effort to do my part to help the economy recover, I’ve decide to place an order with Shiloh for a Model 1863 Rifle. One of the choices about the rifle to be made is choosing a caliber, 50 or 54 are the options.
I hoping to hear from anyone who can tell me the different in shoot ability of the calibers, or if there’s any different in accuracy.



Thank you in advance!
David
http://www.11thcvi.org

[Rich Foster]

David, In musket and Carbine .54 is overall a better caliber. There might be some disagreement with this. By bullet weight, balance and gun recoil it is superior but everybody can not shoot a .54 musket because of weight. I shot a Sharps .54 for 15 years but never shot a .50 sharps. Because of eyes I went to Model 1 Maynard which is .50 and a good shooting gun. I don't think you will go wrong with a .54. Rich Foster, Dismal Swamp Rangers

[Greg Ogdan 110th OVI]

The Sharps Rifle is already a rather heavy gun. It only becomes heaver in .50 cal. Whichever you choose, don't forget the patchbox or you will be disqualified by the Small Arms police.

[Phil Spaugy, 3475V]

DQ'd by the "Small Arms Police??????" Really?

Phil

[Jim Mulligan 7288V]

I like SAP(S). (Small arms police) I look forward to SAP duty in October!

[John Holland]

Hummmm.....

[Lou Lou Lou]

I do not believe that the 11CVI is a member unit of the N-SSA, so the point may be moot.

[hp gregory]

just to steer this back to the original question. does anyone have experiance shooting both the 50 and 54 sharps. mainly the 50 cal rifle and carbine. there is a wealth of info on the 54 carbine and rifle but you never hear anything on the 50 cal sharps such as bullets, paper tubes and loads. i would be interested hearing about this myself. it was a good question that never realy got answered in depth.

thanks
hp gregory

[Don Dixon]

I can't speak to a comparison of Shiloh Sharps rifles in .50 vice .54 caliber. All I can discuss is my .50 caliber Sharps. It has been extremely accurate with unsized bullets from the NEI .50 caliber Sharps mould in a 1/20 tin/lead mix (this is the only Sharps mould that NEI makes for .50 caliber, which makes selection simple), 50 grains of Swiss FFFg, Lee Shaver's lube, and hard plastic loading tubes (no cardboard tubes or paper cartridges). This provides a velocity sweet spot of about 850 to 900 feet per second when shot over my chronograph. Lower and higher velocities don't perform as well.

I made Distinguished Breechloader with it, and have the second highest 50 yard score fired at nationals with breechloader. It will shoot one hole groups off the bench at 50 yards. But, I don't shoot team matches with that rifle. Regarding weight, any good smallbore or high power rifle competitor will tell you that extra weight, within limits and provided that the rifle is well balanced, provides an advantage in stability when in position. My experience, for what it is worth.

Regards,
Don Dixon
2881V

[lastchip]

I just want interject a sincere "Thank you" to all who have added what information they could, to this thread so far. It has been helpful and enjoyable reading so far.

David
http://www.11thcvi.org

[tony 1st regt]

1863 Sharps by Shiloh, no patch box, is legal, but needs saddle bar & ring

http://www.n-ssa.org/NATIONAL/SAC_Jun2012.pdf

or you could go with the 1859 Navy Model, only requires the patch box, no saddle bar or ring, per John's post, BUT does not have NSSA production approval but you can get individual approval



I have two 54 cal a carbine and a rifle, both are tack drivers.