1874 Sharps...saw one today

[RanchRoper]

Saw this rifle today at Cabelas. Gorgeous rifle. But....am I missing something here? Isn't the whole single shot, old west, buffalo gun experience lost shooting a .22LR? What kind of distances could you expect to reach out to with this ammo? I am certain it is fun to shoot, although that barrel looks crazy heavy. $1600 Canadian.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/pedersoli-1 ... peds758022

[Mistered]

I agree - kind of a waste of 'gun' on .22 LR.
Be like putting a four cylinder in a Camaro!

[RanchRoper]

Like I said, maybe the .22LR folks with chime in, but to me it did seem like a whole lot of gun for not much shooting. The workmanship on it was striking though. Really nice.

[JEBar]

reading in the link, they indicate its for someone who enjoy shooting a Sharps but wants to be able to do so for pennies a shot .... interesting rifle,

[RanchRoper]

Agreed. Very interesting. Not sure what to make of it.

[markiver54]

Forgive my ignorance, but why would a ladder type sight be appropriate on the limited range of any 22.
I associate that with Quigley shooting distance. Maybe I'm just too influenced by TV.
Nice looking rifle though!
Feel free...lf I'm sounding un-informed...please let me know. No offense will be taken...

[RanchRoper]

I'm in the same boat. Don't know enough about .22 caliber performance.

[ESquared]

Hard to understand spending that kind of money on a rifle if I was worried about ammo cost! Seems odd, but it's beautiful! Reminds me of "True Grit"!

[RanchRoper]

Again, it was a gorgeous rifle. If that's what Pedersoli rifles look like, I want one.

[Mistered]

but why would a ladder type sight be appropriate on the limited range of any 22.

That is not a 'ladder' sight but a vernier tang sight - which would be very appropriate for any caliber on a Sharps - but better on something with longer range capability.

[Mags]

.
Kinda wishing/watching prices for a Quigley Down Under in .45-70. Goes for about $2000. Wouldn't spend $2300 for a .22.
https://www.buffaloarms.com/pedersoli-q ... peds789457

Hard to understand spending that kind of money on a rifle if I was worried about ammo cost! Seems odd, but it's beautiful! Reminds me of "True Grit"!

[markiver54]

but why would a ladder type sight be appropriate on the limited range of any 22.

That is not a 'ladder' sight but a vernier tang sight - which would be very appropriate for any caliber on a Sharps - but better on something with longer range capability.

Ok..kinda what I was thinking in terms of caliber. Would seem to me that either one would be intended for long range with appropriate projectile.

[Cofisher]

I saw a 22 Plinkster video this am. He was shooting 22LR at 500 yards. Successfully.

Not for me, but, Dang!

[RanchRoper]

Ok well that answers the question.

[markiver54]

I saw a 22 Plinkster video this am. He was shooting 22LR at 500 yards. Successfully.

Not for me, but, Dang!

Dang is right..never would have guessed it!

[dddrees]

I just recently considered the whole Sharps thing. I was really Jonesing for the Lyman version pretty bad. For some reason this was the version which had a silver or grey finish with a bit of engraving that I was attracted too. Anyway of the versions out there the Pedersoli is the most cost effective available. The Shilo version being the most expensive I found was just more than I was willing to pay although I imagine their version probably being the nicest available. I forget the other US brand but I came across a thread in a forum where those who had seen them committed that the quality just wasn't there at one point and they had no idea if they had gotten their act together since then. This version also cost more than Pedersoli once you added any additional items such as checkering or anything above the plain jane model. There was no way I was going to be happy with just the plane jane model.

Anyway after chewing on it for awhile it came down to two things that bothered me. For one the cost of ammo since I don't reload and it seems based on what most users were saying they used their Sharps to fire reduced Black Powder Loads. They made reference to info in the Pedersoli manual that recommended shooting lighter loads in not so many words because the action was originally not designed for stronger loads. Anyway I just got the feeling because I don't reload this just wasn't meant for me.

It's funny but for some reason the 22 LR version of the Sharps simply did not appeal to me but I had no problem with the Winchester 1885 Low Wall in 22 WMR. Somehow the lighter Sharps just wasn't appealing at all but the Miroku Winchester 1885 Low Wall in 22 WMR does. I know part of it was that when I think of a Sharps Rifle I think of something that is large and heavy and just plain big. In fact that is part of it's attraction to me and this is not what the 22 LR version would be. For some reason I don't have any of those preconceived notions when it comes to the Winchester 1885 Low Wall but then again I really didn't know much about it or even it's existence until more recently.

[RanchRoper]

This is the rifle I was handling today at the gun show...kind of a cool little rifle...it was 30-30

https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/scheda ... betsy.html


Check out some of the pistols too....nice

[North Country Gal]

Let me add a few comments. The original 1885 Low Wall was chambered in 22 LR and even a 22 Short (have seen one), basically all kinds of small game and varmint cartridges over its lifetime until it was discontinued in 1920. There was even a 22 LR trainer version produced for the military. Lots of guys out there rebuilding Low Wall rimfires.

By contrast, the Sharps never made it into the 22 LR era, so any Sharps chambered in 22 LR is an adaption or modification of the original. Can't argue that it is or is not practical, though. That's definitely a personal preference.

One thing I can say is that the 1885 was a more modern design with a faster lock time and no side hammer (not to mention one of the strongest rifle action ever made, so shoot any 45-70 load you want). Talking to some friends who compete in the classic single shot and Schutzen arena, I'm told that Sharps has a hard time competing with the more modern designs.

Anyway, I could not be more pleased with our reproduction 1885 rimfire or centerfires, but then, folks who love shooting Sharps are shooting them for that very reason - they love the Sharps. I can certainly understand that.

[PT7]

This is the rifle I was handling today at the gun show...kind of a cool little rifle...it was 30-30

https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/scheda ... betsy.html

Check out some of the pistols too....nice

That is one sharp-looking .30-30. The frame engraving and color is highlighted perfectly by the beautiful wood. And D-P does know how to publish both great photos, and helpful specs. These are always fun to look at...thanks, RR.

[JEBar]

This is the rifle I was handling today at the gun show...

"Designed for the exigeant shooter" ===> sounds to me like it was custom designed with you in mind ..