Many years ago, I had the opportunity to shoot a 50-140. it belonged to a classmate of mine at the gunsmithing school at Lassen Collage in northern California. I watched him fire a couple of shots and then he asked me if I wanted to give it a try. I jumped at the chance. I can't verify this but he told me that the cartridges were loaded with 140 Gr of triple F and a 550 Gr stake buster. I got into the same position I had observed him in, which was sitting slightly sideways to the target, crossed legged with my left elbow resting on my left knee, which was forward. I then took aim at the target 125 yards away and slowly squeezed the trigger. With the recoil, the tang sight hit my thumb, which proceeded to hit my lower lip and then I was looking straight up at the sky, on my back with the rifle pointed up at the sky. The pain I felt in my lower lip and jaw was almost unbearable. My shoulder didn't feel to good either. I handed the rifle back to the owner and then wiped my lower lip to see how much blood there was. I was shocked to see none! No teeth missing either. No cut, nothing but a goose egg lump of swelling. The thumb still bothers me though. The good Lord was really watching over me that day. The lesson I learned from shooting that rifle ranks up there with treating every firearm as if it is loaded and don't point it at anything you do not intend to shoot. I spent 15 years training in the martial arts and I can assure you that nothing has ever hit me that hard. As Mr. McDougald said, it cured my flinching. Nothing has ever compared to that. I was 23 at the time and am now 65. Don't forget something like that.
That second shot lifted the gelatin block completely up and off that stand and dismantled the stand. It set you back. And you still kept your hat. You, sir, have my respect.
Friend. My Heart, truly goes out to you on this video. I felt your pain with every shot you made. My Uncle has that rifle and I shot it a few times when I was about 12 years old. I'm 52 now and still remember it to this day. The only good I can say came from it was that I've never never flinched or had a problem shooting any other rifle, or pistol that has ever been put in my hands.
Thanks for the sympathy, John! At least we've both got that one checked off the bucket list and won't feel the need to shoot one again in our lifetime.😉
I love the big bore black powder guns. I grew up shooting a .54 Hawken rifle with 110 grains of powder. So, watching this video was nostalgic in lots of ways. Beautiful gun.
@@tomallen6073 I used to shoot Buffalo hollow point maxiballs with 120 grains of black powder...in the days before pyrodex. The experience made every other gun I've fired feel tame. Literally snot coming out of my nose and bruises on my inner shoulder. Just brutal.
I had a .50-140 for time and can attest to its power on both ends. Mine was a C.Sharps 1875 now it’s a.40-65 and the .50 barrel is in a rolling block and rechambered to .50-70 now it’s much better. It handled smokeless and black but gave me headaches and eye pain so in the interest of good health I changed it.
Damn I’m almost 100% traditional flintlock muzzleloader. But I did get to shoot a .458 once…. It was enough. While I’ve shot that load behind a three hundred and a four hundred and fifty grain round ball that has no where the power of a cartridge load, but even that in a heavy gun was unpleasant When you said four was enough I believed you Put some ice on that
Wow! When I saw the size of that cigar sized cartridge I was amazed. When you shot it off the bench I started to get a flinch. I’m sure I’ll stick to .45-70 and lower. Thanks for this outstanding video with a cartridge I had not even heard of and one I’m sure I won’t be looking to acquire.
Thanks for taking one (actually, four) for the team. After one shoulder surgery in 2009, I would never shoot a 50 caliber on the bare shoulder. Perry Pappous
try a patched round ball - muzzle loader black powder rifle - 50 cal. 70 grains - very accurate very soft almost no recoil but same rifle - saboted 45cal 140grains that will set you back - not near like this 50-140 though
Nice video and rifle. Two things to remember about the Sharps, only cycle the lever when your at half cock to protect your firing pin, the other is when bench rest shooting your rifle should be resting on the barrel at its null point for best accuracy. Finding the null point is fairly easy by hold it by the rear stock and using a rubber mallet to tap the barrel to find that particular rifles null point. May not make much of a difference at the short ranges you were shooting but it definitely will as the yardage grows.
Gawd Mark! Looks to be a hand held Howitzer. That is one massive cartridge. Your movement from the recoil is hurting me all the way back here in Michigan. I ordered a Shiloh Sharps several months back in the much tamer 45-70 very similar to your customers Shiloh Sharps. It will be one of my most treasured rifles. Once again you offer a superb video on a historic weapon that gives us viewers something of great value. Sincerely thank you.
Glad to see you back, though the feeling of getting behind on work is a pain! Love all these old guns you go over and demonstrate, my favorite ones to load for and take out hunting.
They are fun I have a pedersoli sharps 45-120, 30" barrel octagon to round, lots of fun shooting a 370gr soft lead bullet with 30grs of Trail Boss powder. (Recoil is negligible). But when I switched to goex 2fg 110grs behind a 610gr round nose it will wake up your ancestors. Love the sharps rifle, that 1859 deserves and to be shot and enjoyed. Really enjoy your videos and comments.
@Phil Giglio I use a drop tube and compression dies to load my 45-120 and 110 grs of goex-ffg is all that will reasonably fit and still cover all the grease groves of the bullets I'm using.
My condolences Mark! That bad boy was almost kicking you from under your hat. Back in the 1970's I bought a Shiloh percussion in .54 caliber at a muzzleloading shoot which I was competing. I only had loose powder and bullet and as I was seating the bullet, I seated too deep because my long starter was too long. The recoil was vicious in that little carbine but, I don't think it was as bad as the maimer you were shooting. Glad you are making vids again, I was beginning to be concerned and even told my wife last week I feared something was wrong. Welcome back!
Have the Shiloh Farmingdale New Model 1863 rifle in 54 cal. bought used for 275.00 in 79. Made up my own 54 Cal paper cartridges..a real pleasant hoot to shoot.
🇺🇸👨🏽🦳😳😁😋… Ooohhhhh MAN 👨🏽 !!!!! I LOVED IT !!! I JUST FLIPPIN’ LOVED IT !!! 😃…. Back in the early 60’s , My Dad and older brother took my other brother and I , to the CM range in our state and began to teach us about firearms and the US Constitution . And THAT’S where we learned about AND Fired , for the first time , ANY firearms . And the first one , that they chose for me , was the “ 1874 Sharps 50-110 , Paper-Patched Cartridge … And need I say , That IT WAS AWESOME !! 😳… From that moment on , I was HOOKED on the Sharps Rifles !! 😃😋…. But I still haven’t gotten one yet … But I will someday ! 😁… We also learned a ton of valuable lessons from our elders and pledged to follow them all through life . That made our Dad really proud 🥲 and Happy , not only to mention that our older brother was impressed with how brave the two of us were , for attempting to try such activity …🥲… We all , had a ball and a great day , to boot !…😊😁🥲👨🏽👍🏽👍🏽👨🏽🦳🇺🇸
Wow, great job taking four shots with that monster !!! Back in 1994 I had a gunsmith built me a rolling block sporting rifle with a 34" barrel. He was also building Sharp's rifles at the time and want to know if I wanted my rifle chambered in 50-120 or 45-120, I told him to make it in 45-70. Brass, dies and bullet molds would be easier to get and it wouldn't pound my shoulder as bad as the 50-120 or the 45-120. I do also like shooting the 50-70 military rolling block rifles. Thanks for sharing the video with us.
In the early 90's met a man at the local range with a new 45-110...he was loading smokeless for fairly obvious reasons. He let me cap off 1 round... thank you kind sir. Doesn't hurt to be 'in the know ' about firearms. Even had the chance to hold an original .75 smooth bore revolutionary war and an original scoped sniper rifle of Civil War origin. Not to shoot, just to admire. The scope was a joke...but it is older than dirt.
I live fairly near Big Timber and I love to visit the Shiloh Sharps and the Sharps shops. They’re both on the same street in BT. Well worth a visit if you’re near there.
I have a Sharps in 50-90, which is definitely my upper end on recoil. No thanks for a full load 50-140. I haven't seen any T-Rexs lately, so I can't imagine needing one.
Wow! Thank you for posting this video. I really enjoyed it. We were riding to Sturgis in '96 and stopped by Shiloh. After getting back home I ordered at Hartford in .45-70. Glad I didn't go for the .50-140! If I want serious oomph I'll go with my M-70 in .375 H&H.
My great great grandfather was a packer for the army at Fort Bozeman in the days before Custer. My other grandfather was a trapper around Yellowstone. As you can see, my people are Westerners. Seeing these guns brought a bit of pride. Thanks
I’m pretty sure it is good for a little more yardage! Don’t know what the barrel length is or if it’s a heavy barrel but as you know , it sure does help !! Enjoyed the watch!!
That’s an awesome caliber, if I’m not mistaken it’s actually a Winchester caliber, I always wanted one of those, I think my 50-110 is pretty comparable though, Frank told me you was gonna be shooting pretty soon, I was looking forward to it
Winchester made the ammo for the Sharps Borchardt, but only chambered a total of two Winchesters in 50-140 (50-3 1/4 Sharps), both of them 1885 highwalls. I don't believe they've been located if they survive today. Throw that 50-110 in the rig and bring it out to the ranch so we can compare notes. :) There'd be a great collaboration episode!
@@thecinnabar8442 Best I can see as Winchester started manufacturing it in 1876 with a 700 grain bullet, at least that’s what it was listed sharps 50 3 1/4” with a 700 grain bullet, Winchester also says that the 50-110 with a 300 grain bullet as 11.5 pounds of recoil with smokeless powder and at the same velocity with black powder it has 19.5, which shows you that black powder has a significant increase in recoil which means that thing probably kicks pretty good, of course with how I load my modern gun produces a good bit more recoil, 700 grain bullet at 1830 FPS out of my 10.5 pound lever action which adds up to 65.6 foot pounds of recoil. Guessing that gun is around 12 pounds it should have about 43 foot pounds of recoil or more depending on if the calculator works with black powder
In 1985 I ordered my Sharps Shilo as ordered it was $961 and 6 weeks to get to me. That was before Quigley went down under so I saved a lot of cash and time waiting. I ordered the 50-3 1/4" chamber , 34" number 1 taper barrel throat-ed for paper patch. I have taken two deer over the years with a 450 grain 50-70 bullet @ 1725 f/s over SR 4759 powder the load from a Lyman reloading manual the ranges were 70 & 150 yards . I shoot black powder for informal target with paper patches bullets , My Lyman mold adjusts from about 440 - 712 grains . The 1-36 rifling twist is a bit slow for the longest bullet and they will cant at 100 yards with all bullet noses pointing in and a 3" group . I have not fired it at longer range with the heavy bullet . I have loaded some paper patch 712 grain bullets over 150 grains Swiss 1 1/2Fg powder a hard card wad a lube cookie (.2") and Chronograph them at 1617 f/s . I do wear a P.A.S.T. shoulder pad when I shoot it saves the shoulder some! I have fired some more powerful loads with smokeless powder and it is just unneeded ,Hodgdon powder has some data and the other data was for a Barnes 600 grain jacketed soft point .
Yep, I have a 50-140 and if you shoot it a lot. I use a 50-120 or 50-110. One thing I have found is that the brass on the 50-140 swells ... with the black powder and a wet winter like here in western WA. the case's grow and will not fit well in the chamber. And I take a ram rod with me just in case and I sand down the brass until they fit.
I have one of those Shiloh Sharps in 50- 2 1/2". It can be loaded with 90, 100 or 110 grains of black powder. I have found that it likes an original Sharps loading of 50-90-473 using a paper patched bullet. I ordered it with the heavy barrel and it weighs in at around 11 pounds. Shooting from the sitting position on the ground with cross sticks my sholder is able to absorb the recoil better than when shooting from the bench. I only recently discovered your channel and enjoy it greatly.
Quite a few years ago I had an original Sharps Borchardt chambered for 45-120-500. It was a beautiful rifle... even had the loading tools and the bullet mold for the 500 grain paper patched bullet. And yeah, every shot was painful.
I think the off set primer strike is natural to the design although I saw a comment that it might be a broken firing pin but I have a new Pedersoli Sharps and it strikes off center so I hope that’s the case and not a broken firing pin as it shoots fine and only has about 200 smokeless 45-70’s thru it.
Ouch! Just ouch! I absolutely could not shoot that from a bench. I’d have to shoot it standing. What a powerful black powder round! Beautiful rifle. Enjoyed the video!
Pretty crazy watching you shoot that sharps. I had a Shiloh Sharps ,50-140 years ago I got off a Veteran friend of mine. He had some smokeless 540 and 650 grainers he gave me. You talking about stout. That rear tang sight blooded my lip and I thought it knocked out my tooth. Another friend shot it and it bloody his lip also. I shot it a few more times but each time it felt like getting hit with a two by four. Needless to say I sold it to a Vietnam vet. He sold it to a friend who last I heard was shooting bear's and Buffalo with it. Pretty much everyone that shot it with smokeless powder while I owned it got the hell beat out of them. They didn't want to shoot it more than once or twice. 😄 Have fun with that beast maybe a past recoil shoulder pad would help. Thanks interesting to watch from a different angle. Painful and brings back some fun but bad memories. Hope I don't have nightmares tonight. 😲😄😄
Wow, That is a beautiful powerful gun. I've seen them on the old westerns on tv, lol. But never up close. How far will the bullet travel once it's shot? That would take a deer down fast. As always an awesome great video thanks for sharing. Good luck with your shoder. I'm sure it will be bruised & sore. Stay well & safe.
Thanks Thomas! I'd like to develop some loads to test its long-range shooting. I don't think I'll take this one deer hunting. There might not be much left to eat. :)
Mark you are the better man !!! You are holding that piece 'Man Portable Artillery' like your looking at a nasty Charbray (hooey). When you stuffed that nitro powered corn cob up the pipe I saw determination and trepidation on the same face, it was like looking into Tuff Hedeman soul when he dropped into the chute on the back of Bodacious !!! God Bless Cowboy 😇😇😇
Well welcome back didn't know what happened to you but when you said you were working I sure understand that. I thought my 4570 kicked bad but boy howdy that sure does. I just be willing to bet that you won't use that shoulder tomorrow or if you do you'll sure know you shot that big cannon. I believe I would call the cartridges missiles. Have a great day and stay safe and keep your powder dry!
Good video Mark. A PAST recoil shield is your friend. I shoot BPCR's in 50-90, 45-90 and 45-70...the 50-90 with 670 gr cast bullets. The PAST allows you to shoot comfortably many rounds in a setting. Takes a lot of the bite out of the hard kickers. See you in Cody.
I own and have fired both 45-70 and 50-70 ( Springfields and Rem rolling blocks )…. But I can only imagine -140 ! …Nice. That is a serious Buffalo gun right there !
I have a Sharps in .45-70. After watching this video I feel like a wimp for thinking the .45-70 kicks too hard. I enjoyed this and you have a new subscriber.
I am very happy with my Shiloh 45/70 using 520 grain cast lead. It kicks, but nothing like the 50-140 you are shooting. Hope you recovered OK. Good video and beautiful country.
I have a C Sharps 1874 Bridgeport in 50-140 also known as 50 x 3-1/4 Sharps straight. Pack hardened receiver, 34" No #1 heavy barrel w/ Hartford collar, Globe front sight with aperture - rear buckhorn, Soule long range tang sight, fancy walnut wood, Schnable forend. It's beautiful, Weighs in at right around 15 pounds, took 8 months to get it after ordering. Traditionalist folks will give me hell, but I use smokeless powder in mine to ease clean-up time. (Always been more of a big bore guy than traditionalist.) I use a shoulder pad for full power loads behind a 700 grain Creedmoor slug, that metal butt plate will hurt you. Cheers!
That thing looks like it definitely kills on both ends ! lol I went through gunsmith school in Lakewood,Colorado years ago and one of the fellows had a 50-140. This is the first I've seen one shot though!!!!
I have a restored hex barrel remington 1860 rolling block 45/70 and I thought it was nasty. I have to get me a Sharps, was leaning that way when I got the rolling block, but took the rolling block because it was real deal.
We shoot a Pedersoli .45-120 but it doesn't recoil as much as that .50-140. Good shoulder workout though! I went after this video and priced one, a Ruger No.1 in that caliber...a bit expensive.
I bought a C.Sharps,1874 ,34 in.barrel shoots anything 500 gr.or less well only to 500 yds. 700 gr. shoots to 850 yds,I can't see past that!!! A good friend shot my rifle at 1100 yds,accurately. But no matter the weight of the bullet, this thing will peg your fun meter. I shot a 700 Nitro Express,in a light double rifle,they are about the same. A good weight 458win is so much more bearable!!! But,I love my Sharps, I now own a,405win,45/120 Sharps,and a 50/140 Sharps. Enjoy the day.
MAN thats impressive! I dont wish i had one or anything but it is an awesome firearm!!! After watching this though ,once i fire my 45/70 a few times i may just be selling it? lol I love my lever guns and cowboy revolvers.....even though i dont own a cowboy revolver,yet!? But the hoops i have to jump threw to get one in my states keeps me from ,just doing it! Looking for some land in Tenn. in the mountains and once i get that all bets are off! LOL My wife thinks i buy more guns then i need now......HAHAHA ROFL! There is a reason why i purchased a 72gun safe! LOL Loved the video and ill be binge watching for a while and catch your new stuff! thanks brother!
Truly incredible, I've never had the opportunity to shoot a Sharp's, but on my other double set triggers I've dry fired the set triggers without the hammer being cocked to get the feel of the trigger let off. I started shooting double set triggers as a 13 year old and now I'm spoiled, I don't like a gun without a "hot" trigger.
That rifle looks like it recoils more than modern cartridges like .375 H&H, .416 Remington and even .458 Win. I've shot my fair share of stout modern muzzle loader loads of 150gr of pyrodex, 12 gauge 3" Turkey loads and the .375 H&H. I flinched watching this video. I definitely have a healthy respect for heavy recoiling firearms. From historical information I've read a lot of Sharp's rifles weighed around 20lbs and had bull barrels. That's a pretty sweet rifle! Shilho makes a damn good rifle! I don't believe they offer 50-140 anymore in their current lineup.
Had the chance last year to buy a 50-110 Sharps scoped with dies , brass , projectiles but waited too long . Have since bought a Springfield and Sharps in 45/70 , being recoil sensitive , I down load for both.
...I really like those set triggers - had one on my Thompson-Center .50 cal Hawken I bought back in 1974....one your brain decided you were on target - that round was downrange...
When I'm shooting my 500 NE for groups on target, I never shoot off the bench. I use a camera bipod with a sandbag. It lets your body go with the flow so to speak. I generally shoot 20 to 26 rounds each session.
My uncle has the 45-120. I'm used to shooting the thumpers. I have a 460 weatherby magnum. They kick, but sure are fun to shoot stuff with and examine the destruction.
Picked up a Browning 1885 45-70 a while back, haven't shot it yet. But I'm thinking 4-5 rounds is gonna be enough for me also! Am looking forward to it though!
I learned, the hard way, that standing Off Hand with my Big 50's and .577/450 Martini's makes it a mite more tolerable in the recoil department. Being a stock maker, I also do some weight redistribution to make the recoil behave. Of course, you can't do that with a customer's gun. Great video reminds us that the old shooters still have a place in our lives. 👍
Wow! That looked like it would beat the hell out of almost anyone’s shoulder. But I have to admit that if you were shooting at say a charging grizzly, you more than likely wouldn’t feel any or at least very little of the recoil. I know a few people shoot lighter loads for target but, I personally shoot whatever size load for target and game. That way I don’t need to re-sight in my rifle (s) after target shooting. Cool video, I stumbled upon your channel and thought I would check it out. I always wanted to know more about the Sharps. There’s a lot of history behind that rifle. Thanks for doing this video and sharing the info.
I could see from the way you handled that thing that it’s fairly light. My Pedersoli Quigley in 45/70 hurts a bit from a bench and weighs about 13 pounds. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I had a Shiloh Rifle manufacturing 50 -140 ,no freebore, custom made it had a 4130C receiver a NO1 heavy barrel 1137gunbarrel quality steel, a small firing pin breechblock for high pressure, regularly shot Barnes 600 grain spitzers on top of 120 grains of IMR4831, I fired 450 grain Barnes flat nose on top of 120 grains of IMR4350, chronographed at 2700 fps , I shot 300 grain Barnes bullets on top of 120 grains of IMR3031, all those loads were safe in my rifle, I used a Powley slide rule computer to find a good starting load, but I had to get rid of it in order to live in the apartments where I currently reside.
The 600 grain loads produced 2300 fps 7900 p/f of energy and at 100 yards was still higher than a 300 Winchester magnum, oh yes free recoil was 130 f/p stand up and walk away from 3 shots at the bench with that.
140 grains is a lot of powder even in a large heavy rifle like that beauty. Like yourself, I wonder at its intended purpose. Anti tank? Think I'll be sticking with my little wee 4570 after seeing that recoil.. thanks for another great video
I love my 50 alaskan JDJ encore pistol. When I show people the bullet no one will shoot. I down load it quit a bit but it’s a blast to shoot. My 375 H&H JDJ ENCORE pistol is the most accurate pistol I own.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to shoot a 50-140. it belonged to a classmate of mine at the gunsmithing school at Lassen Collage in northern California. I watched him fire a couple of shots and then he asked me if I wanted to give it a try. I jumped at the chance. I can't verify this but he told me that the cartridges were loaded with 140 Gr of triple F and a 550 Gr stake buster. I got into the same position I had observed him in, which was sitting slightly sideways to the target, crossed legged with my left elbow resting on my left knee, which was forward. I then took aim at the target 125 yards away and slowly squeezed the trigger. With the recoil, the tang sight hit my thumb, which proceeded to hit my lower lip and then I was looking straight up at the sky, on my back with the rifle pointed up at the sky. The pain I felt in my lower lip and jaw was almost unbearable. My shoulder didn't feel to good either. I handed the rifle back to the owner and then wiped my lower lip to see how much blood there was. I was shocked to see none! No teeth missing either. No cut, nothing but a goose egg lump of swelling. The thumb still bothers me though. The good Lord was really watching over me that day. The lesson I learned from shooting that rifle ranks up there with treating every firearm as if it is loaded and don't point it at anything you do not intend to shoot. I spent 15 years training in the martial arts and I can assure you that nothing has ever hit me that hard. As Mr. McDougald said, it cured my flinching. Nothing has ever compared to that. I was 23 at the time and am now 65. Don't forget something like that.
That second shot lifted the gelatin block completely up and off that stand and dismantled the stand. It set you back. And you still kept your hat. You, sir, have my respect.
Shit man, I thought you were joking.
Might as well shoot a damn barbell out of a cannon at this point.
Friend. My Heart, truly goes out to you on this video. I felt your pain with every shot you made. My Uncle has that rifle and I shot it a few times when I was about 12 years old. I'm 52 now and still remember it to this day. The only good I can say came from it was that I've never never flinched or had a problem shooting any other rifle, or pistol that has ever been put in my hands.
Thanks for the sympathy, John! At least we've both got that one checked off the bucket list and won't feel the need to shoot one again in our lifetime.😉
I had a similar experience with my dad's .338 Alaskan M70 when I was 12 yrs old... 😲
В 12 лет? Вот это опыт!!!! Забыть невозможно!
I love the big bore black powder guns. I grew up shooting a .54 Hawken rifle with 110 grains of powder. So, watching this video was nostalgic in lots of ways. Beautiful gun.
Funny you mention that, remember loading my 50 or 54 hawkens with 140g of black powder once, that was the last time.
@@tomallen6073 I used to shoot Buffalo hollow point maxiballs with 120 grains of black powder...in the days before pyrodex. The experience made every other gun I've fired feel tame. Literally snot coming out of my nose and bruises on my inner shoulder. Just brutal.
Wow same here and sometimes used 120 g but the fouling got bad and so did the group . Eventually settled at 90 g . Killed a big buck with that load .
@@txrick4879 I was young and dumb. 😂
@@BigDaddyCane777 It's ok I also tried 150g load and said no too much just a waist of powder .
I had a .50-140 for time and can attest to its power on both ends. Mine was a C.Sharps 1875 now it’s a.40-65 and the .50 barrel is in a rolling block and rechambered to .50-70 now it’s much better. It handled smokeless and black but gave me headaches and eye pain so in the interest of good health I changed it.
I've heard of the 50-140 but this is the first time I've ever seen one up close being fired. Very cool, thanks for sharing!
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.
It's very light artillery
Damn
I’m almost 100% traditional flintlock muzzleloader. But I did get to shoot a .458 once…. It was enough.
While I’ve shot that load behind a three hundred and a four hundred and fifty grain round ball that has no where the power of a cartridge load, but even that in a heavy gun was unpleasant
When you said four was enough I believed you
Put some ice on that
Wow! When I saw the size of that cigar sized cartridge I was amazed. When you shot it off the bench I started to get a flinch. I’m sure I’ll stick to .45-70 and lower. Thanks for this outstanding video with a cartridge I had not even heard of and one I’m sure I won’t be looking to acquire.
Thanks for taking one (actually, four) for the team. After one shoulder surgery in 2009, I would never shoot a 50 caliber on the bare shoulder. Perry Pappous
try a patched round ball - muzzle loader black powder rifle - 50 cal. 70 grains - very accurate very soft almost no recoil
but same rifle - saboted 45cal 140grains that will set you back - not near like this 50-140 though
Nice video and rifle. Two things to remember about the Sharps, only cycle the lever when your at half cock to protect your firing pin, the other is when bench rest shooting your rifle should be resting on the barrel at its null point for best accuracy. Finding the null point is fairly easy by hold it by the rear stock and using a rubber mallet to tap the barrel to find that particular rifles null point. May not make much of a difference at the short ranges you were shooting but it definitely will as the yardage grows.
I was wondering if that might be why it’s already striking the primers off center.
I was thrilled to see the video of this rifle being shot, as I was the seller! It is a massive rifle!
Gawd Mark! Looks to be a hand held Howitzer. That is one massive cartridge. Your movement from the recoil is hurting me all the way back here in Michigan. I ordered a Shiloh Sharps several months back in the much tamer 45-70 very similar to your customers Shiloh Sharps. It will be one of my most treasured rifles. Once again you offer a superb video on a historic weapon that gives us viewers something of great value. Sincerely thank you.
This is a very well-made rifle. I think you'll be very happy with yours. I'm sure it will be more pleasant to shoot as well.😉
Thank you for your "That will blow the lungs clean outside the body" made my whole day LOL
If you get the chance watch RANCHO DELUXE with Jeff Bridges. They use a big 50 to rustle cattle
Fun film
Glad to see you back, though the feeling of getting behind on work is a pain!
Love all these old guns you go over and demonstrate, my favorite ones to load for and take out hunting.
They are fun I have a pedersoli sharps
45-120, 30" barrel octagon to round, lots of fun shooting a 370gr soft lead bullet with 30grs of Trail Boss powder.
(Recoil is negligible).
But when I switched to goex 2fg 110grs behind a 610gr round nose it will wake up your ancestors.
Love the sharps rifle, that 1859 deserves and to be shot and enjoyed.
Really enjoy your videos and comments.
They're great rifles. I've got a reproduction of that 1859 that I've used in reenactments. I'm looking forward to shooting the original.
ALMOST DOUBLE THE WEIGHT.
GO BIG OR GO HOME .LOL
Iff it will wake your ancestors being pushed by a charge 10gr less than maximum... have you fired a full charge and did it push you into last week??😸
@Phil Giglio I use a drop tube and compression dies to load my 45-120 and 110 grs of goex-ffg is all that will reasonably fit and still cover all the grease groves of the bullets I'm using.
I had never even heard of the 50-140 until a couple months ago now I get to see it
Glad to see ya back. Always enjoy your content, you have a real gift for this video stuff. Thanks for the video
Thanks a bunch, Miles! I really appreciate the compliment.
That thing kills at both ends! Thanks for enduring it for your audience.
You're quite welcome, Pat!
😀😀😀😀😀Отлично сказано!!!
My condolences Mark! That bad boy was almost kicking you from under your hat. Back in the 1970's I bought a Shiloh percussion in .54 caliber at a muzzleloading shoot which I was competing. I only had loose powder and bullet and as I was seating the bullet, I seated too deep because my long starter was too long. The recoil was vicious in that little carbine but, I don't think it was as bad as the maimer you were shooting. Glad you are making vids again, I was beginning to be concerned and even told my wife last week I feared something was wrong. Welcome back!
Thanks Joe! I've been really busy lately, but have several new episodes in the works. Thanks for watching the channel.
Have the Shiloh Farmingdale New Model 1863 rifle in 54 cal. bought used for 275.00 in 79. Made up my own 54 Cal paper cartridges..a real pleasant hoot to shoot.
🇺🇸👨🏽🦳😳😁😋… Ooohhhhh MAN 👨🏽 !!!!! I LOVED IT !!! I JUST FLIPPIN’ LOVED IT !!! 😃…. Back in the early 60’s , My Dad and older brother took my other brother and I , to the CM range in our state and began to teach us about firearms and the US Constitution . And THAT’S where we learned about AND Fired , for the first time , ANY firearms . And the first one , that they chose for me , was the “ 1874 Sharps 50-110 , Paper-Patched Cartridge … And need I say , That IT WAS AWESOME !! 😳… From that moment on , I was HOOKED on the Sharps Rifles !! 😃😋…. But I still haven’t gotten one yet … But I will someday ! 😁… We also learned a ton of valuable lessons from our elders and pledged to follow them all through life . That made our Dad really proud 🥲 and Happy , not only to mention that our older brother was impressed with how brave the two of us were , for attempting to try such activity …🥲… We all , had a ball and a great day , to boot !…😊😁🥲👨🏽👍🏽👍🏽👨🏽🦳🇺🇸
Wow, great job taking four shots with that monster !!! Back in 1994 I had a gunsmith built me a rolling block sporting rifle with a 34" barrel. He was also building Sharp's rifles at the time and want to know if I wanted my rifle chambered in 50-120 or 45-120, I told him to make it in 45-70. Brass, dies and bullet molds would be easier to get and it wouldn't pound my shoulder as bad as the 50-120 or the 45-120. I do also like shooting the 50-70 military rolling block rifles. Thanks for sharing the video with us.
That’s awesome. The second to last shot you definitely flinched , just as you mentioned. It can be a hard habit to break. Thanks for the video.
You're very welcome! Gonna kick that flinch. I'll definitely have some padding next time
Another great video!!! Wow four rounds? That is twice as many as I would have been able to muster!
😅😅
I think we have to thank Tom Selleck in Quigley Down Under for bring this gun to a lot of peoples attention :)
In the early 90's met a man at the local range with a new 45-110...he was loading smokeless for fairly obvious reasons. He let me cap off 1 round... thank you kind sir.
Doesn't hurt to be 'in the know ' about firearms. Even had the chance to hold an original .75 smooth bore revolutionary war and an original scoped sniper rifle of Civil War origin. Not to shoot, just to admire.
The scope was a joke...but it is older than dirt.
Of course the Quigley rifle was not 50-140.
Beautiful rifle and even better country side. I learned me something today........
I live fairly near Big Timber and I love to visit the Shiloh Sharps and the Sharps shops. They’re both on the same street in BT. Well worth a visit if you’re near there.
I have a Sharps in 50-90, which is definitely my upper end on recoil. No thanks for a full load 50-140. I haven't seen any T-Rexs lately, so I can't imagine needing one.
Wow! Thank you for posting this video. I really enjoyed it.
We were riding to Sturgis in '96 and stopped by Shiloh. After getting back home I ordered at Hartford in .45-70. Glad I didn't go for the .50-140! If I want serious oomph I'll go with my M-70 in .375 H&H.
Now that certainly packs a punch! Kind Thanks and Many Blessings and my best to your shoulder! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
My great great grandfather was a packer for the army at Fort Bozeman in the days before Custer. My other grandfather was a trapper around Yellowstone. As you can see, my people are Westerners. Seeing these guns brought a bit of pride. Thanks
I’m pretty sure it is good for a little more yardage! Don’t know what the barrel length is or if it’s a heavy barrel but as you know , it sure does help !! Enjoyed the watch!!
Welcome back, we’ve really missed you! Cheers…Mush
A wonderful sight to see. Thanks for the video.
gotta warm up that shoulder
w/ a few minutes of planks
worked into one-arm holds
via shoulder taps... plus
some substantial padding
That’s an awesome caliber, if I’m not mistaken it’s actually a Winchester caliber, I always wanted one of those, I think my 50-110 is pretty comparable though, Frank told me you was gonna be shooting pretty soon, I was looking forward to it
What do you think, do you want a piece of that 140?
@@49walker44 yes that would be a blast
Winchester made the ammo for the Sharps Borchardt, but only chambered a total of two Winchesters in 50-140 (50-3 1/4 Sharps), both of them 1885 highwalls. I don't believe they've been located if they survive today. Throw that 50-110 in the rig and bring it out to the ranch so we can compare notes. :) There'd be a great collaboration episode!
@@thecinnabar8442 now that would be a whole lot of fun, specially to see your beautiful place out there
@@thecinnabar8442 Best I can see as Winchester started manufacturing it in 1876 with a 700 grain bullet, at least that’s what it was listed sharps 50 3 1/4” with a 700 grain bullet, Winchester also says that the 50-110 with a 300 grain bullet as 11.5 pounds of recoil with smokeless powder and at the same velocity with black powder it has 19.5, which shows you that black powder has a significant increase in recoil which means that thing probably kicks pretty good, of course with how I load my modern gun produces a good bit more recoil, 700 grain bullet at 1830 FPS out of my 10.5 pound lever action which adds up to 65.6 foot pounds of recoil. Guessing that gun is around 12 pounds it should have about 43 foot pounds of recoil or more depending on if the calculator works with black powder
What a great gun , fabulous country side
In 1985 I ordered my Sharps Shilo as ordered it was $961 and 6 weeks to get to me. That was before Quigley went down under so I saved a lot of cash and time waiting. I ordered the 50-3 1/4" chamber , 34" number 1 taper barrel throat-ed for paper patch.
I have taken two deer over the years with a 450 grain 50-70 bullet @ 1725 f/s over SR 4759 powder the load from a Lyman reloading manual the ranges were 70 & 150 yards .
I shoot black powder for informal target with paper patches bullets , My Lyman mold adjusts from about 440 - 712 grains . The 1-36 rifling twist is a bit slow for the longest bullet and they will cant at 100 yards with all bullet noses pointing in and a 3" group . I have not fired it at longer range with the heavy bullet .
I have loaded some paper patch 712 grain bullets over 150 grains Swiss 1 1/2Fg powder a hard card wad a lube cookie (.2") and Chronograph them at 1617 f/s .
I do wear a P.A.S.T. shoulder pad when I shoot it saves the shoulder some!
I have fired some more powerful loads with smokeless powder and it is just unneeded ,Hodgdon powder has some data and the other data was for a Barnes 600 grain jacketed soft point .
I see the nature in USA Is marvellous, amazing. 💘💘💘😍
Yep, I have a 50-140 and if you shoot it a lot. I use a 50-120 or 50-110. One thing I have found is that the brass on the 50-140 swells ... with the black powder and a wet winter like here in western WA. the case's grow and will not fit well in the chamber. And I take a ram rod with me just in case and I sand down the brass until they fit.
I have one of those Shiloh Sharps in 50- 2 1/2". It can be loaded with 90, 100 or 110 grains of black powder. I have found that it likes an original Sharps loading of 50-90-473 using a paper patched bullet. I ordered it with the heavy barrel and it weighs in at around 11 pounds. Shooting from the sitting position on the ground with cross sticks my sholder is able to absorb the recoil better than when shooting from the bench. I only recently discovered your channel and enjoy it greatly.
Quite a few years ago I had an original Sharps Borchardt chambered for 45-120-500. It was a beautiful rifle... even had the loading tools and the bullet mold for the 500 grain paper patched bullet. And yeah, every shot was painful.
A Pristine Bore in the 1859 Sharps; that's a rarity, usually there's some pitting along the way in the barrel
It's pretty unusual, but it only has a few minor imperfections and it's all original, not relined.
Wow Mark, I have a Sharps in 45-110 and after about 6-8 rounds I'm Done! Good Shooting Thanks For The Video, Good Luck at Cody.
Well, you're no Matthew Quigley
That is one serious rifle. All the best.
I think the off set primer strike is natural to the design although I saw a comment that it might be a broken firing pin but I have a new Pedersoli Sharps and it strikes off center so I hope that’s the case and not a broken firing pin as it shoots fine and only has about 200 smokeless 45-70’s thru it.
Ouch! Just ouch! I absolutely could not shoot that from a bench. I’d have to shoot it standing. What a powerful black powder round! Beautiful rifle. Enjoyed the video!
Pretty crazy watching you shoot that sharps. I had a Shiloh Sharps ,50-140 years ago I got off a Veteran friend of mine. He had some smokeless 540 and 650 grainers he gave me. You talking about stout. That rear tang sight blooded my lip and I thought it knocked out my tooth. Another friend shot it and it bloody his lip also. I shot it a few more times but each time it felt like getting hit with a two by four. Needless to say I sold it to a Vietnam vet. He sold it to a friend who last I heard was shooting bear's and Buffalo with it. Pretty much everyone that shot it with smokeless powder while I owned it got the hell beat out of them. They didn't want to shoot it more than once or twice. 😄 Have fun with that beast maybe a past recoil shoulder pad would help. Thanks interesting to watch from a different angle. Painful and brings back some fun but bad memories. Hope I don't have nightmares tonight. 😲😄😄
Wow, That is a beautiful powerful gun. I've seen them on the old westerns on tv, lol. But never up close. How far will the bullet travel once it's shot? That would take a deer down fast. As always an awesome great video thanks for sharing. Good luck with your shoder. I'm sure it will be bruised & sore. Stay well & safe.
Thanks Thomas! I'd like to develop some loads to test its long-range shooting. I don't think I'll take this one deer hunting. There might not be much left to eat. :)
@@thecinnabar8442 Actually, it will destroy far less meat that the .300Win. Mag. that everybody thinks is necessary for hunting deer.
Mark you are the better man !!!
You are holding that piece 'Man Portable Artillery' like your looking at a nasty Charbray (hooey). When you stuffed that nitro powered corn cob up the pipe I saw determination and trepidation on the same face, it was like looking into Tuff Hedeman soul when he dropped into the chute on the back of Bodacious !!!
God Bless Cowboy 😇😇😇
Haha! First time I've ever been compared to Tuff. I'm honored!
A recoil pad should come standard with that bruiser.
I must confess I did chuckle after both of the first two! Been there! Love the video..
Well welcome back didn't know what happened to you but when you said you were working I sure understand that. I thought my 4570 kicked bad but boy howdy that sure does. I just be willing to bet that you won't use that shoulder tomorrow or if you do you'll sure know you shot that big cannon. I believe I would call the cartridges missiles. Have a great day and stay safe and keep your powder dry!
Thanks, Terry!
Good video Mark. A PAST recoil shield is your friend. I shoot BPCR's in 50-90, 45-90 and 45-70...the 50-90 with 670 gr cast bullets. The PAST allows you to shoot comfortably many rounds in a setting. Takes a lot of the bite out of the hard kickers. See you in Cody.
Now where would the fun be in that, Mark :) See you in Cody!
I own and have fired both 45-70 and 50-70 ( Springfields and Rem rolling blocks )…. But I can only imagine -140 ! …Nice. That is a serious Buffalo gun right there !
I just have one word, WOW!! Other than grizzly bear and buffalo what in the world could they use that for? Great video by the way...
Ouch!!! 🤕 You’re a glutton for punishment. 😜 Happy to see you back! 😊
Great scenery.
looks like the back drop of an old western. Good shootin by the way.
I have a Sharps in .45-70. After watching this video I feel like a wimp for thinking the .45-70 kicks too hard. I enjoyed this and you have a new subscriber.
I am very happy with my Shiloh 45/70 using 520 grain cast lead. It kicks, but nothing like the 50-140 you are shooting. Hope you recovered OK. Good video and beautiful country.
Impressive enjoy the videos keep them coming
I have a C Sharps 1874 Bridgeport in 50-140 also known as 50 x 3-1/4 Sharps straight. Pack hardened receiver, 34" No #1 heavy barrel w/ Hartford collar, Globe front sight with aperture - rear buckhorn, Soule long range tang sight, fancy walnut wood, Schnable forend. It's beautiful, Weighs in at right around 15 pounds, took 8 months to get it after ordering. Traditionalist folks will give me hell, but I use smokeless powder in mine to ease clean-up time. (Always been more of a big bore guy than traditionalist.) I use a shoulder pad for full power loads behind a 700 grain Creedmoor slug, that metal butt plate will hurt you. Cheers!
Great video love the old guns
Thanks so much, Gregory!
Very few videos or remarks with the Winchester 1886 in 45-70.... I wonder why....
That is curious. I've shot mine in at least three episodes.
If you ever need another gunsmith, this old military armorer would love to come work for ya! I would even show up. 😂
Awesome I myself have a huge collection of sharps and many others plus cannons great video
Better you than me!!! LOL Thanks for the vid,firstn50-140 Ive seen!!!!!!!
You bet, Scott! Glad you liked it.
I kept hearing "51-40" before I figured it out. :) Quite a difference.
That thing looks like it definitely kills on both ends ! lol I went through gunsmith school in Lakewood,Colorado years ago and one of the fellows had a 50-140. This is the first I've seen one shot though!!!!
I have a restored hex barrel remington 1860 rolling block 45/70 and I thought it was nasty. I have to get me a Sharps, was leaning that way when I got the rolling block, but took the rolling block because it was real deal.
We shoot a Pedersoli .45-120 but it doesn't recoil as much as that .50-140. Good shoulder workout though! I went after this video and priced one, a Ruger No.1 in that caliber...a bit expensive.
I bought a C.Sharps,1874 ,34 in.barrel shoots anything 500 gr.or less well only to 500 yds.
700 gr. shoots to 850 yds,I can't see past that!!!
A good friend shot my rifle at 1100 yds,accurately.
But no matter the weight of the bullet, this thing will peg your fun meter.
I shot a 700 Nitro Express,in a light double rifle,they are about the same.
A good weight 458win is so much more bearable!!!
But,I love my Sharps, I now own a,405win,45/120 Sharps,and a 50/140 Sharps.
Enjoy the day.
glad to see you posting again... how about more videos of you doing gun repairs..?
Lots of them in the works, but have to take a break and do some shooting at times.
@@thecinnabar8442 no worries - I love all the content you post
I'm a pretty stout guy, but I think I'd flinch pulling the set trigger on that cannon. That thing looks like a shoulder dislocator!
I could feel your pain for sure ! Beautiful rifle and beautiful countryside.
You forgot the "from horseback, best 8 out of 10 shot test."
Thanks for your dedication and sacrifice Sir.
MAN thats impressive! I dont wish i had one or anything but it is an awesome firearm!!! After watching this though ,once i fire my 45/70 a few times i may just be selling it? lol I love my lever guns and cowboy revolvers.....even though i dont own a cowboy revolver,yet!? But the hoops i have to jump threw to get one in my states keeps me from ,just doing it! Looking for some land in Tenn. in the mountains and once i get that all bets are off! LOL My wife thinks i buy more guns then i need now......HAHAHA ROFL! There is a reason why i purchased a 72gun safe! LOL Loved the video and ill be binge watching for a while and catch your new stuff! thanks brother!
Thank you for showing that fine specimen.
45-90 is about as big as I go. My condolences to your shoulder. It’s good your business is busy but I hope you find help so you don’t get burned out.
Thanks. I'm enjoying the work, but I'm slowing down the number of guns I'm taking in so I can work on some of my own projects.
Truly incredible, I've never had the opportunity to shoot a Sharp's, but on my other double set triggers I've dry fired the set triggers without the hammer being cocked to get the feel of the trigger let off. I started shooting double set triggers as a 13 year old and now I'm spoiled, I don't like a gun without a "hot" trigger.
You Got My Attention With The 50-140 Title Mark 😊🔥😀🔥😊❤️😀
That rifle looks like it recoils more than modern cartridges like .375 H&H, .416 Remington and even .458 Win. I've shot my fair share of stout modern muzzle loader loads of 150gr of pyrodex, 12 gauge 3" Turkey loads and the .375 H&H. I flinched watching this video. I definitely have a healthy respect for heavy recoiling firearms. From historical information I've read a lot of Sharp's rifles weighed around 20lbs and had bull barrels. That's a pretty sweet rifle! Shilho makes a damn good rifle! I don't believe they offer 50-140 anymore in their current lineup.
All I can think of is "OUCH!"
If I hadn't been on camera, I'd have probably said something stronger than I did. :)
Had the chance last year to buy a 50-110 Sharps scoped with dies , brass , projectiles but waited too long . Have since bought a Springfield and Sharps in 45/70 , being recoil sensitive , I down load for both.
Quigley down under ! Tom Selleck used one of these
What a awesome gun thank you for shooting it
...I really like those set triggers - had one on my Thompson-Center .50 cal Hawken I bought back in 1974....one your brain decided you were on target - that round was downrange...
When I'm shooting my 500 NE for groups on target, I never shoot off the bench. I use a camera bipod with a sandbag. It lets your body go with the flow so to speak. I generally shoot 20 to 26 rounds each session.
Had an original Sharps., absolutely pristine. Never worked up the nerve to shoot it
You bout blew that gel block into the next county. You really gotta dig that thing into your shoulder to avoid some of the recoil agony.
That looks like more fun than this old man could stand! 😉
My uncle has the 45-120. I'm used to shooting the thumpers. I have a 460 weatherby magnum. They kick, but sure are fun to shoot stuff with and examine the destruction.
Picked up a Browning 1885 45-70 a while back, haven't shot it yet. But I'm thinking 4-5 rounds is gonna be enough for me also! Am looking forward to it though!
I learned, the hard way, that standing Off Hand with my Big 50's and .577/450 Martini's makes it a mite more tolerable in the recoil department. Being a stock maker, I also do some weight redistribution to make the recoil behave. Of course, you can't do that with a customer's gun.
Great video reminds us that the old shooters still have a place in our lives. 👍
Wow! That looked like it would beat the hell out of almost anyone’s shoulder. But I have to admit that if you were shooting at say a charging grizzly, you more than likely wouldn’t feel any or at least very little of the recoil. I know a few people shoot lighter loads for target but, I personally shoot whatever size load for target and game. That way I don’t need to re-sight in my rifle (s) after target shooting. Cool video, I stumbled upon your channel and thought I would check it out. I always wanted to know more about the Sharps. There’s a lot of history behind that rifle. Thanks for doing this video and sharing the info.
I could see from the way you handled that thing that it’s fairly light. My Pedersoli Quigley in 45/70 hurts a bit from a bench and weighs about 13 pounds.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
High Chaparral movie at the first episode John Cannon,Buck and their ranchers were using Sharps 50 rifles.
I had a Shiloh Rifle manufacturing 50 -140 ,no freebore, custom made it had a 4130C receiver a NO1 heavy barrel 1137gunbarrel quality steel, a small firing pin breechblock for high pressure, regularly shot Barnes 600 grain spitzers on top of 120 grains of IMR4831, I fired 450 grain Barnes flat nose on top of 120 grains of IMR4350, chronographed at 2700 fps , I shot 300 grain Barnes bullets on top of 120 grains of IMR3031, all those loads were safe in my rifle, I used a Powley slide rule computer to find a good starting load, but I had to get rid of it in order to live in the apartments where I currently reside.
The 600 grain loads produced 2300 fps 7900 p/f of energy and at 100 yards was still higher than a 300 Winchester magnum, oh yes free recoil was 130 f/p stand up and walk away from 3 shots at the bench with that.
140 grains is a lot of powder even in a large heavy rifle like that beauty. Like yourself, I wonder at its intended purpose. Anti tank? Think I'll be sticking with my little wee 4570 after seeing that recoil.. thanks for another great video
Nice, I'd like to see if that 50-140 cartridge would work in an old enfield..
Its a fine line between feeling like you shot something very powerful for the rest of the day and unpleasant.
I love my 50 alaskan JDJ encore pistol.
When I show people the bullet no one will shoot.
I down load it quit a bit but it’s a blast to shoot.
My 375 H&H JDJ ENCORE pistol is the most accurate pistol I own.
I think I recognized Buster.Scrugs 🤣🤣🤣