I'm new to the board here and am glad to be aboard! I'm in a bit of a quandry as I have become a proud but confused owner of a Pedersoli Sharps 45-90. My BIL moved out east with my press (bless his HEART), so I'm reloaderless at this point. Has anyone had any experience with the 45-90 they'd care to share? I don't know where to start, black vs smokeless, heavy or light bullets, can I run a few 45-70's thru it until I get set up, should I look into casting my own bullets? I'd just like to shoot the darn thing at this point. Might try it on antelope next fall if I can get it shooting decent. And pocket gophers are always a problem out here in the spring (grin)...

If anyone wants to chew the fat with me here, TIA. I'm just fishing for a place to start at this point...

Baggsy-Wy

I would start with 2 books by Mike Venterino: Shooting Buffalo Rifles; and Black Powder Primer. They both have a good amount of info on shooting BP and the .45-90.

dclark

I appreciate the help, Mr. Clark. I'll see if I can't find those books and give 'em a try. Sounds like a good way to start, and that's what I'm needing...

Sounds like a fine rifle.

I would definately shoot black powder and use cast bullets if it were my rifle. I think smokeless loads could be made for it, but you have to be very careful, I stay away from it with my BP rifles.

I really enjoy casting and using black powder.

Black powder/cast bullets would be my choice as well. Lyman #48 lists some smokless loads that may do the trick. Loads are tested with a universal reciever...good and bad news. Good news is that the pressure is listed...bad news is that universal revcievers don't match real world rifles.

CDNN had loaded 45/90 ammo. I would go to bufflo arms web site and get ther # and call them they will set you up with the right stuff. Brass/ bullits/20/1. There bullits are great. IT might be some work getting a good shooting load and then maybe not. I have 2 rifles that shot great right of the bat with smokless and black. The others were shotgun paterens.