Well Ive went and done it! Ialways wanted a original sharps.This one is in 50-70.It was converted for the goverment in 1867 at the sharps factory.I have been shooting both 45-70 and 45-90 for quite some time.I have already ordered dies and cases from midway.The correct bullet dia for this rifle is .515 with 63 grs of goex ffg.Bore is mint,should be a great shooter! Montana swagged bullets at about 525-535 gr should be perfect,These come pre-lubed with spg.I am still waiting for my beartooth bullets which are on back order.Will let everyone one know how it shoots,when the weather clears.I will first measure the sites when gun arrives.Will also check to see if bullet dia is correct by trying them by pushing through barrel,this assures if the rifle is accurate and get on paper at 100 yards then will go for longer distance. thanks Wayne:)

Congratulations on your purchase. The CW Sharps carbines converted to 50-70 are getting pricey on the collector's market so you will want to "baby" the old girl. Conversions bearing the "New Model 1865" marking bring an extra premium.

Don't use smokeless powder loads!! In a 1980 article in "Guns&Ammo", Elmer Keith empathically recommended black powder only for original Sharps rifles. He gave all the reasons, and who are we to argue with such a man who really knew his stuff. Lyman's #48 Reloading Handbook also has the same recommendation for vintage 50-70 rifles.

The original CW carbines were basically 54 caliber, but there was a lot of variation. When the factory was doing the conversions (about 30,000 carbines), those barrels on the high side were re-lined with three groove rifling. Those on the low side were left with the original six groove bore. If you have the original bore you will want to use bullets cast with 1 in 20 0r 1 in 30 Tin - Lead alloy. This is soft enough to cause the bullet to "bump up" and engage the rifling. It worked well in the old days and should work well today.

Buffalo Arms, www.buffaloarms.com (http://www.buffaloarms.com) sells black powder 50-70 cartridges. If you are interested in casting your own bullets and loading your own cartridges you should give them a call. They have a lot of expertise and can shorten your learning curve considerably.

Thanks 8iowa,Ido cast my own 45-70 as well as 45-90 loadsThe 1865 carbine was resleaved to the three groove rifling in 1867.I load mine according to steve Garbes Spg lube book.The correct powder load is 63 grs of black powder,correct bullet dia is 515 for these three groove Sharps.Mike Venturino found that if you dont use a wad between powder and bullet that these are more accurate.Thanks for your reply Wayne