.50-140 3 1/4" Sharps Q:

[New Hampshire]

Im hoping you fine folks here can answer a question for me.  Im feeling out ideas for a 2nd project for my T/C Encore when I get it.  Ive been smitten with the idea of a "boomer" big bore.  Ive found that Virgin Valley can custom make me a .50-140 3 1/4" Sharps barrel (and I can even get it octagoned!)  I know where I can get brass for this cartridge.  But Im looking for sources on cast bullets (already made) for this bore diameter (.509" according to my Lyman Cast Bullet handbook.)  And can I get ready made paper patched bullets in that caliber (700 grain was the standard I believe.)  I plan on trying both smokeless and BP.  I will probably use this gun mostly for fun and target, but I am also looking to use it in a Moose hunt when I finaly get chosen.  Is there a reccomended bullet for that type of hunting?  Also, I dont know if this is the place to ask this because its about smokeless powder.   Lyman suggests using Dacron filler wads for space filling in the large case with smokeless powders.  Im kind of weary about a solid wadding as Ive heard of some barrels being burst when a wad was not noticed still lodged in the barrel.  Is there a better solution (Ive sometimes heard Cream of Wheat mentioned) or am I just being a worry wuss?  Thank you for any help you can provide.
Brian M.

[New Hampshire]

P.S.:  If I cant get .509" bullets are .510" bullets acceptable for use?  Again, Thanks.
Brian M.

[New Hampshire]

Im a little dopey, I assumed the barrel grooves were .509", but That was in an origional Sharps (I see the .50/70 and .50/90 had .510" groove diameters.)  I contacted Virgin Valley to see what the actual groove diameter of THEIR barrel is.
Brian M.

[Lead pot]

New Hampshire I hope your .50 3-1/4 will be a 16 lb+ rifle.If it's lighter tape your hat and glasses down when you trip the sear :eek: shooting prone off of sticks its murder.
Were to find patched or cast bullets I dont know.Get a mould and make your owne.Good luck with that shoulder cannon :wink:  :roll:

Kurt.

[New Hampshire]

Thanks for the Reply.  I had plan on modifying a stock T/C Buttstock with a weight to raise (and this is just a preliminary number, it could go higher,) the weight from 6.8 pounds to roughly 10 pounds.  But now Im thinking twice about the "super boomer" as I just realized the case would not fit my press  :eek: !  This means I would have to buy a new, larger clearanced press.  Maybe I should downgrade to the .50/70?  Could anyone give me an idea of preformance on moose and to what range I could expect to take them with that caliber?  Like I said, Im just feeling ideas out right now.  Im dead set on getting a .50, and I dont really want to go with the new .500 S&W for the simple fact I want to give BP a try (Im just getting into frontstuffers, and I have, within the past year or two, become heavily interested in the great western frontier era.)
So, to recap:  Would the .50/70 be better choice?
what can I expect from preformance on larger game and at what distance.
Would .50/90 be a good choice and if so will it be reloadable in a standard size press?
Thanks for the help.
Brian M.  
P.S. I got an e-mail back from Virgin Valley and the groove diameter is .510".

[wiley]

will fit the standard Rockchucker; but 50-70 would do all you need. It's a .515" bullet

[Ray Newman]

I really don't think a 10# rifle will cut the mustard in .45-3.25". Might be a tad "light" for that caliber.

I have a 13# .45-110 which is pleasant to shoot becasue of the weight.

[New Hampshire]

OK, Ive pretty much abandoned the 3.25" becasue of the press issue.  I have three already and dont need another one.  But Ive been using a balisitc calculator program, and with data from Lyman I found I can get some serious punch with a 550 gr bullet at up to 250 yards (1200 ft/lbs.)  Can that be!?  Granted that is with smokeless powder, but even with BP, shouldnt I still get that kind of punch?  If this is true, then this round maybe be a perfect fit!  Is it because the data Im using from the Cast Handbook that was origionaly developed in an origional sharps?  Boys, Im tellin ya, this big bore mania has got me giddy.  Just thinking of pourin that much lead downrange with a cloud 'o smoke behind it has got me smilin!
Thanks
Brian M.

[445supermag]

New
   maybe the 5o alasken would do the job better. 348 brass is cheaper that 50/90/2-1/2  (40$- 20 -50-2-1/2) . I know 50/70 brass is high also. I have found only bell made brass for the fifty standerd. The dies for 50 alasken might be higher. SSk ind made  50/70-750 barrels for the contender but they were so thin at the chamber that the scope or rear sights had to be drilled futher up the barrel not over the chamber as on other cal. I just got a catalog from c/sharps and they gota srorting rifle for 1095$ in all the 50/70/90/140.  IT,s ther 75 mod,30" stad. tap oct. barrel at 9lb 4oz. Sights are an option.

[Lead pot]

Brian
I laod my 3 1/4 cases in a rock chucker,you have a little problem with the seating die,but it's workable.I use the Corbing swaging press now.
Brian I'm not one to tell someone what they can handle or not and I wont.But the 3 1/4 is a hand full with a 700 grain bullet,even with a 640 grainer unless you shoot standing leaning on a post or tree.But with a 10 pounder forget it.

 :lol: I was shooting my 15 lb. 3- 1/4 one day and the State Police snipers were training further down the line and they were watching me.I guess that loud boom and a big cloud of white smoke and smoke rings drifting there way must have raised there curiosity and three came over and stood behind me and watched,so I rolled over and asked if they wanted to try it,and with a big smile they said yes.I let the young feller that stood about 6'3 gave a few instructions how the trigger worked and loading.I handed him a round and I told him to take off those shooting gloves and said you will never feel the trigger.He smiled and said I have a light trigger on my m 24. So I watched him set the trigger pull that big hammer back and he pulled the rifle back to his shoulder at the same time reaching for the trigger. Well needless to say the rifle went off about 2" before making contac with his shoulder,I sware it looked like he slid back 3" on his belly the hat flew off and his cable temple shooting glasses were hanging on one ear.He rolled over on his good shoulder with big eyes he said your one hell of a man to shoot this :-D  beast.I dont think he knew that he ever got that rifle up to his shoulder I handed him a nother round and he just shook his head no.The rest did'nt want to shoot it anymore.

Kurt

[Voyageur]

I've made and shot both the .50-140 and .50-85 (.348 blown straight out).  I use a duplex load in both...10% of the blackpowder load in 4759 in the bottom and a 1/8" compression (with waxed cardboard wad).  I enjoy the .50-85 much more than the .50-140 loudenboomer.  A friend of mine is buying it as he 'just has to have it'.  Ahhhh youth.

For practical field work (hunting) I prefer carrying the lighter rifle.

Voyageur

[The Shrink]

New Hampshire

I don't think you are gonna have to worry about performance in any of them.  If the 45-70 with BP can shoot a soft bullet through and through a buffalo, and lots have done this, then the 50's can do the same thing.  A moose is a much softer target.  

If you are hunting the north woods your average shot will be well within 100yds.  Even if shooting from a canoe you can get quite close to the beasts.  A .50 with a big meplat doesn't have to expand, it's already bigger than most jacketed .30's get when expanded!  You don't need lots of velocity, cause you won't be making long shots.  1500 fps will do you fine, chucking that big chunk of lead.  Just make sure you can shoot it and still be standing!  

In that big case I'd forget using smokeless.  Even with the super slow powders you will have significant space to fill.  Use black and fill the case, you get a big boom and have all the force you need to kll anything you will find in the north woods.  

Wayne

[New Hampshire]

Thank you very much, thats the peace of mind I need.  Im spend too much time fixated on the modern formulas and what they say is "the minimum" game weight and such.  It sometimes gets my head spinning.  I remember Mike Venturino stating in a recent article about .45/70s loaded with BP going through and through on Buffalo he hunted.  I guess I should quit worrying too much.  Hell, is there anything the big .50s CANT kill   !
Brian M.

[KING]

  I shoot a .50-140 Sharps.  I am using the 650 Saeco with SPG.  I only use BP in it,and have had extremily good luck with it on target.  Yuppers............it does have a little recoil.  I have managed to shoot 80 rounds off of the bench in one afternoon early last summer.  Lotsa horse power going down range,Moose will not be a problem.  I get more looks on the range with this rifle than with anything else that I have.  Stay safe.........King