45-70 Sharps advice

[sclg]

Very tempted by a 45-70 Sharps. Something for target shooting at about 50 - 200 yds. (Not looking to be seriously competitive but want to hit the target!)
Anyone any experience of the difference between the Pedersoli Carbine and the more "full-size" versions?
Obviously the Carbine is lighter and easier to carry around but is it sensible if you might want to go out to a couple of hundred yards?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Steve

[Sim G]

Owned two Pedersoli's in the past. Would own one again in a heart beat. A Silhouette, with a 30" barrel and a Long Range with a 34" barrel. Get a big one. It's a Sharps, they're supposed to be big!

[dromia]

What he said!

I also have a paper cartridge Pedersoli 1859 52 calibre Sharps in carbine form and it suits that cartridge very well only loading 55 gns of black powder..

The 45-70 cartridge deserves a long barrel and full 70 gn BP loads.

Original 45-70 loads for the Trapdoor carbine was only 55 grains so that tells you that full stoke 45-70 was a bit over the top for the carbines.

If I was to get another Sharps it would be in 45-90 that little extra space helps at the long range, had one and let it go which I regret now.

[greenshoots]

I have used both, of the 2 types I would go for the carbine but customised IE pistol grip get rid of the saddle ring and add shotgun butt and decent sights scope

Greenshoots

[redcat]

Get the longer barrel. That bit of extra weight helps tame the recoil will full loads. Besides, it looks better.

Redcat

[sclg]

Thanks all

[DaveB]

I too owned two Pedersolis - one a 'business rifle' and the other a cavalry carbine. Of the two I very much preferred the carbine - shorter, lighter, handier and damned accurate - but only if you fed it black powder or Pyrodex. Smokeless factory loads never grouped with a darn. I almost hated to part with it but the reality was it was a safe queen, and had to go to fund my new 1911.