1863 .54cal Sharps

Capt. Black Jack Hawks

Well, I must have been a real good boy dis year. The people I work with pitched in and bought me a 54cal. Sharps for my B-DAY/X-MAS present. So now I need some help here. The rifle is black powder and is supposed to shoot paper cartridges--now I have some expieriance with black powder(cap n ball revolvers n side locks) but I have never done paper cartridge. Can any one give me any info on the how n where ta git the things I need. I live in the chicago area, if any one out there is local n can direct me to some place local it would be greatly appreciated. The rifle was used(in GREAT SHAPE), but it did not come with any accessories or manual.

dd

You can get most everything you need at Buffalo Arms. I've shot a lot of black powder long-range rifle but never owned a "bagger", so I can't offer much advice. The folks at Buffalo Arms also have many books and I'd bet they have some on paper cartridges. Just check their website link above.<br />
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Hope this helps,<br />
<br />
<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' />

Rio Jack

Capt. Black Jack Hawks wrote on Dec 19 2006, 04&#58;49 PM:

<br />
Well, I must have been a real good boy dis year. The people I work with pitched in and bought me a 54cal. Sharps for my B-DAY/X-MAS present. So now I need some help here. The rifle is black powder and is supposed to shoot paper cartridges--now I have some expieriance with black powder(cap n ball revolvers n side locks) but I have never done paper cartridge. Can any one give me any info on the how n where ta git the things I need. I live in the chicago area, if any one out there is local n can direct me to some place local it would be greatly appreciated. The rifle was used(in GREAT SHAPE), but it did not come with any accessories or manual.<br />

Rio Jack

I just did a quick search on the Net for "Black Powder Paper Cartridges" and came up with some good sights for you to checkout. Also with instructions.

Capt. Black Jack Hawks

Rio Jack wrote on Dec 20 2006, 10&#58;23 AM:

<br />
I just did a quick search on the Net for "Black Powder Paper Cartridges" and came up with some good sights for you to checkout. Also with instructions.<br />

<br />
<br />
Rio Jack would really appreciate the info, I'm kinda lost here. Every time I look at that sharps all I want ta do is get it out on the range n do some shooting.<br />
dd thanks for the link, it had some great stuff(books,etc...) but no tools to make my own paper cartridges, but I thank you kindly--I am looking forward to coming to a shoot this spring, haven't been to one in over a year(due to work) am looking forward to getting back out

Big Grit

Capn., You might want to check out Dixie Gun Works. I believe they sell all the supplies you would need. I have shot the .54 Sharps and they are a lot of fun. If don't have paper cartriges, you can shoot it by loading the bullet followed by loose powder. If you do this I would seat the bullet against the powder from the muzzle after you close the breech for better ignition.Big Grit

Capt. Black Jack Hawks

<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cowboy1.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cowboy1:' /> Well, I gave the sharps a try with some paper cartridges I made up using rolling papers(one of the sites I found said they could be used) and it shot great

jeweler jim

Just remember to be like Clinton and don't inhale. <br />
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Blow! But you might want to make sure the barrel has cooled down first.

Tex Hewitt

Capt. Jack,<br />
<br />
the breach loading 54. sharps is a fine weapon, capable of hitting targets out to 500 yards. nore, are they hard to load. (I have no trouble at all with mine.<br />
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As Denny said, you can get what you need from bufallo arms. Naturally, 54. cal bullets, and also musket caps. Here is a quick run down on creating the paper bullets. <br />
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Once you have some bullets, get yourself a doll rod of the same width. Next, you need paper. They do make a paper already soaked with nitrate, but you can make the bullet without nitrate if you want to. For this, even news paper works.<br />
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What you do is place the doll rod at the back of the bullet. with a brush, about the size of a fingernail painting brush, put a thin layer of glue onto the base of the bullet(meaning around the outside, say about a 1/4 of an inch or so.) quick drying glue works best. Next, wrap the paper around the doll rod, with the upper end also on the bullets face--again about a 1/4 inch or so. Where the paper folds back on it's self. lay another line of glue and press it down. (the overlap should not be to near the wood of the doll rod where the glue is applied.. Hold for a moment, then remove the doll rod and let dry.<br />
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This will give you a tube behind the bullet in which to pour your powder charge. As all thede weapons react differently to amounts of powder, you'll have to experament a little there. Mine likes 65 gr.<br />
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Once the powder is in, two ways to seal it up. One, is just twist closed the end. The other is a fold over method. Using cisors, cut the tube about 1/2 inch above where the powder sits. Fold over enough paper to cover all the powder, then add some glue, very little, and continue to fold paper down. (you may have to glue more then once, but take care no to get the powder wet!)<br />
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The first method , when you close the breach, the gun will cut the paper open, exposing the powder to the f;ame of the Musket cap. The second method, requires you use a pick of some sort to punch a hole in the back of the paper case to expose the powder to the flame.<br />
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Also, if you have a Civil War reenactment (skirmish) going on near by, many of those guys shoot this very gun, they are a wealth of knowledge in that area.<br />
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Hope this helps you out some.