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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns

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45s_save_lives
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Reged: 12/11/05
Posts: 34
Loc: west by god virginia, currentl...

sharps rifles in africa
#58419 - 07/06/06 06:57 AM

Hello all. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a sharps in africa? Any opinions on using one on african game and dangerous game? Thanks.

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DPhillips
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Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Re: sharps rifles in africa [Re: 45s_save_lives]
#58437 - 07/06/06 12:35 PM

Mike Venturino took one to RSA (I think) and hunted plainsgame with it. The story was published in Rifle or one of the Wolfe Publishing magazines years ago. Might be able to find it on their CD collection or I think it is "Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges" book they published.

I'd think it to be folly to use a singleshot on dangerous game.

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45s_save_lives
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Reged: 12/11/05
Posts: 34
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Re: sharps rifles in africa [Re: DPhillips]
#58449 - 07/06/06 02:33 PM

Thanks ill try to look it up. I am not sure id use a single shot on DG either. MAYBE buffalo, but definetly not cats or elephants. Thanks.

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Guncotton
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Reged: 18/04/05
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Loc: Missouri

Re: sharps rifles in africa [Re: 45s_save_lives]
#59001 - 19/06/06 03:40 AM

Sharps loaded with White Powder would be a good choice even for Dangerous Game. The most important things to remember are “Patience” followed by “Shot Placement”. The Sharps is a bit slower to load than say a Ruger number one or similar action but with practice, you can be quick. A lot of coastal grizzlies have been taken with “Single Shots” such as Sharps, rolling blocks and trap doors loaded with Black powder, in my mind at least grizzlies qualify as dangerous game.
However I also think it would be prudent to have a marlin 45/70 cowboy loaded with 10 rounds of Garrett 540gr hammer heads handy just in case

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Sharps
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Reged: 28/02/06
Posts: 46
Loc: Texas

Re: sharps rifles in africa [Re: Guncotton]
#59235 - 24/06/06 11:40 AM

I don't have any experience in Africa but I have hunted Sharps rifles exclusively for the last five years here in Texas. Here are a few observations.

1) Any of the Sharps cartridges 45-70, 40-70ss, etc when loaded with black powder and lead bullets are going to be marginal hunting loads. Any way you slice it, a soft lead slug at 1120fps to 1350fps is "low and slow" and about on par with a hot loaded 44 magnum. I consider my 4 3/4" 454 Casull to be a much better game killer up to 75yds or so.

2) When loaded to maximum with smokeless the 45-70 could be a decent plains game killer out to 125yds-150yds. With the 400gr jacketed bullet. After that, the trajectory gets to be too much for accurate field shooting. The 40-70ss with smokeless can get a 300gr jacketed bullet up to around 2000fps. You might be able to reliably stretch that range to 200yds if your eyesight is good.

3) Any of the Sharps cartridges seem pretty much under powered for dangerous game. The 45-70 is stuck with stubby 400gr bullets to get into reliable jacket opening velocity range. Pumpkin roller comes to mind. With the 40's the situation is a bit better for sectional density but the foot pounds on target is still pretty marginal.

4) In my opinion, with smokeless and good jacketed bullets the Sharps rounds would be fine for plains game at reasonable ranges. When it comes to dangerous game I would consider the Sharps rounds to be in the realm of a stunt. Just not enough power.

5) Lead bullets and black powder would be more closely likened to muzzleloader hunting in Africa due to the lack of velocity.

That's how I read the deal.

Sharps
Josh

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Guncotton
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Reged: 18/04/05
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Loc: Missouri

Re: sharps rifles in africa [Re: 45s_save_lives]
#59265 - 25/06/06 12:00 PM

Some individual’s skill level limits them to ranges less than 200yards. Their rifle may be capable of much greater rangers but this is where they practice so this is there “Comfort zone”. Some people only feel comfortable shooting a 400lb wild boar with a 300 Winchester magnum at 150 yards. Other people are perfectly comfortable taking the same wild boar with a 7’ spear. Some people hunt coastal brown bears with 375 H&H magnums others with a bow and arrow.
The 45/70 has taken Grizzly, Lion, Cape buffalo and many other animals in Single shot and lever action rifles. Its performance has stood the test of time.
Randy Garrett offers (http://www.garrettcartridges.com/) 45-70 ammo, which has been used successfully on African dangerous game. The Sharps is still a world-class rifle that is more than capable. I have no experience hunting in Africa but I have been shooting the 45-70 for 20 some odd years and I do own a Sharps. If you do decide on a sharps the best ones come from Montana

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