Author Topic: Need help on Armi Sports 74 Sharps replica (Read 1061 times)

casulman454 · « **on:** August 31, 2003, 02:34:23 PM »

Just got Armi Sports (Taylor & Company out of Winchester, VA) 1874 Sharps Sporting Rifle w/ 32 inch barrel. Weight 8.6 pounds. Came with ladder sight on barrel (worthless_ and b;ade front (more worthless). I put on a #5505 front globe that they said fit 3/8 inch dovetail but the dovetail on the rifle was .360 and not .375 like they said. This blew me away because the sgihts came from taylor. Why don't they know what the dovetail measures?

So now I am suspect of everything with the taylor (Armi Sport) nave on it. But the rifle looks good inside and out. Fit and finish are good. I have not shot it yet but I want to use black powder when I do.

So do any of you know about the quality of this rifle? I sure would like to hear from you. Is it safe to shoot and what is the reputaytion of the company? I bought this rifle from a local dealer that has been in business foer over 30 years and he has always stood behind it. I don't think he would sell Taylors if he didn't think they were good. So what do you guys think about them?

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2003, 05:15:23 PM »

I've never heard any good comments about them, but it seems that there is enough confusion about all of the makers and models other than Pedersoli that comments about one seem to be taken as being about another. I have an Armi Sport, it is wearing Lee Shaver sights. I have no idea of the size of the dove tail, but what I have fits and works really well; as far as I'm concerned, they're the best sights a poor man can put on. I'm still in the experimenting phase of load development, but things are working out pretty well. I haven't had the gun long enough to attest to it's durability, but it seems to be really well made, fit and finish

casulman454 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2003, 04:53:19 AM »

Thanks Butter

I have a friend that's been in BP shooting a long time and he says the Armi Sports rifles are on a par with Pedersolli and so does Mike Venterino and he ought to know something about BP rifles.

So I'm feeling a little better about the rifle today. The sights on this one are pitiful ( The are Taylor sights) and I am going to replace them. I may try those you mention. Shaver is a well known rifleman who ought to know sights. I'm going to drill holes in the butstock and pour in some #8 bird shot to try to get the weight up too so it won't beat the crap out of me. It only weighs 8.6 pounds now and I won't it to weigh about 10 or 11 pounds.

What bullet are you using? I'm trying to decide on that now. My buddy says to stick with a traditional BP design so that it will have enough lube grooves on it. I'd like to shoot a 405 grain bullet but he says I ought to go higher in bullet weight. I'd appreciate your thoughts on that .

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2003, 05:11:38 AM »

I like the Lyman #457658 (485-gr. Spitzer) or the # 457125 (500-gr. original gummint round nose).

casulman454 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2003, 09:51:49 AM »

Thanks. I'll try that.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2003, 01:10:38 PM »

I'm using a Lyman 457125 cast from pure wheel weight's. These gentlemen all agreed on this one particular bullet, but it seems none agree on a second one.

I've only been casting for a few months, and I understood comments about moulds from the coustom mould makers, and buying a good mould to start with makes a lot of sence, but my shooting budget is spread much too thin already, so I decideded to start with the Lyman. There is no doubt that my next one will be a coustom though.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2003, 01:20:15 PM »

Casuleman, I'll tell ya what, if you'll PM me with your mailing address, I'll send ya 50 of them to try, you can get an idea if you like the bullet or not. Let me know if you want them lubed or not. I'm using 50/50 toilet ring/Crisco

casulman454 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2003, 04:17:02 PM »

ButlerFord45

Thanks pard and I REALLY MEAN THAT but I got a buddy that has the 500 grain Lyman 457125 and we casted up up some tonight. About 50 I think. We cast them 20 to 1. Used 18 pounds of pure lead and 2 pounds of 50/50 bar solder to make 20 pounds of 20 to 1 lead/tin bullets. I am going to make me up some lube tomorrow. I have an old 300 grain mould here and am going to cast them maybe next week end. I am going to buy 50 of the 535 grain Lyman Postel bullets from Midsouth and 50 of the 500 grain Schmitzer's (with the sharp point) from them and try them to see if they will shoot in this gun. Maybe if I try all of those, one will show signs and I'll get that mould and start load development. This could be a long project but it's already fun with the help from you guys.

Many thanks for all the advice fellers and keep it coming. I was discouraged before I came here but now I'm ready to do this thing. Hot dog this going to be fun.

casulman454 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2003, 03:16:21 AM »

Thankc Marsh. I had already decided to drill me a hole in a plank and do exactly what you suggested. I've been casting about 5 years so I know to weigh bullets.

anchored · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2003, 03:30:25 AM »

If you will be shooting the ArmiSports Sharps alot, keep an extra extractor and firing pins on hand. They're very inexpensive, and have been known to fail... a friend used an ArmiSport Sharps in competition for a year and broke three firing pins.

Another bullet that works well in this rifle is the 535 grain Lyman Postel (458132 I think it is).

Glenn

Hot Foot II · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2003, 11:53:27 AM »

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post how I added some weight to a light BPCR rifle.

Buttstock already had a hole under the butt about 3/4" diameter by 5 inches deep.... so I cast a linotype rod of about 5/8" diameter by 4 inches.

This was cast in a rolled tube of aluminum metal flashing with a wood plug in the bottom. Taped it so it would not unroll and then wrapped it with wire to keep it from coming apart due to the casting heat.

Wrapped new cast lino rod in cloth tape so it was a loose but almost snug fit. In the channel, front and rear, was inserted a wad of plastic pan/dish scrubber.... pirated from the kitchen. Stuffed enough pan scrubber in there to have it somewhat compressed when the butt plate was tightened down.

Nothing rattles about and I'm guessing that it added almost a pound to the rifles weight. Also no worries as to having bird shot flattened out or ending up with a cracked stock due to the lead corroding/expanding over time.

Good Luck and Have Fun