Hi, Im new to this and just got a new sharps in 45/70. I would like to hunt deer and hogs with this rifle. Where can I buy some soft lead cast bullets with spg lube ready to load and hunt with? I can find the hard cast bullets but not soft ones. Would 20:1 be ok to use? I think I can get some of those. Thanks for any help.

Are you using black powder? that's about the only reason i can think of to use dead soft lead bullets with SPG lube.

Yes, 20:1 or even 16:1 (and if truth be known, if it's near pure lead and tin, even 12:1will work) will work well with black powder.

With harder alloys, more importnat to get the bullets AT or .001" OVER bore diameter. Have shot a few very nice groups using harder alloy sized .460", but do need to clean more often.

Might want to call Marshall. See links at top of page for our sponsor, Beartooth Bullets.

At one time I believe he did offer softer alloy and SPG as an option, but it would be best to check rather than go on my word.

Yes, I will be using black powder. That is my question, what do people use in a cast bullet for elk, deer, hogs etc. when hunting with Sharps rifles or other big bore single shots. Do I need a bullet to mushroom or do the hard cowboy bullets work just as well.

When i used a 45/70 and 50/70 (both old original Rolling Blocks) would use black powder and home cast bullets. Did try some harder alloy bullets (wheel weights), and they shot just about as well so long as they were truely bore diameter (or a little larger). Oddly, would lead the old 50-70's slightly pitted bore while the soft lead (usually 16:1) would not; wasn't really an issue for huting as the fouling didn't build up quickly, was more of a range/practice problem when you'd shoot a lot more shots than any hunting trip.

Getting a bullet with enough lube, and it had better be nice soft BP lube, to last all the way though a 34" barrel was a must; most modern designs just don't have the lube volume. Look for deep reasonably wide lube grooves for old barrels...new (hopfully bright, non-pitted) barrels may not need as much lube.

The 45 caliber bullet is big enough,without mushrooming.
That is why hardcast bullets work on game.A moderately soft bullet,from BH 7 to BH 9 is what I use.It does not lead the bore and does not fallapart in the game.
Frank

Hard lead but test others to see what the gun likes.
check shiloh sharps fourm lots od ideas for hunting loads there