Shiloh Saddle Rifle in 45-90

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and sold off some other safe queens to buy a NIB Shiloh Saddle Rifle in 45-90. Barrel is 26", and is the heavy octagon. Weight is about 10.75 lbs. Even though it has standard wood and no frills, I'm very happy to find it with no waiting and for $1900 shipped to my ffl. Hope to fire my first rounds tomorrow. The seller threw in 50 new cases and 50 once fired and annealed cases. I loaded up 25 rounds with 85 grains of 2fg Ol Eynsford, 0.060 Walters wad, under a Saeco 881 government trapdoor 500 grain bullet. Our local range has a new Buffalo Shoot competition at up to 400 yards. My load may be overkill, but thought it a good starting point as I plan to hog hunt with this rifle as well. Last 45-90 I had was 7-8 years ago and was a Pedersoli long range express rifle with 34" barrel. Was way to heavy for any offhand work. Would appreciate any advice you could offer. FWIW, I still have a Pedersoli 1874 military rifle in 45-70, an Armisport 1859 infantry rifle in .54 paper cutter, a Garrett 1863 carbine in .54 paper cutter , and a Shiloh Farmingdale 1863 carbine in .50 paper cutter.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Congratulations on the new rifle!  You do know that pictures are required, right? 

CC Griff

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Yeah, I do. Will get some here tonight after work.

[Patrick Henry Brown]

[Patrick Henry Brown]

[Coal Creek Griff]

Very nice, sir!  I prefer the rather plain rifles myself.  They look like what "workhorse" rifles should look like.  Thanks for the photos!

CC Griff

[Gabriel Law]

Great rifle!!  You'll enjoy the shorter barrel...my own Sharps has a round 28" .50 cal McGowan barrel on it, and I love it!  It doesn't matter how much 'overkill' you use.  It is my experience that the rifle will shoot most accurately with lots of powder and heavy bullets.  My Sharps is in 50-2.1" or 50 Alaskan and it likes 90 grains 1 1/2Fg Swiss and a BACo 600 grain bullet.  I'm going to Chrono it today just for my own satisfaction, but I am proud of the way it shoots.

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Update- Just fyi, 10 shot string chronograph average of 1276 fps with 85 grains of Ol Eynsford 2FG, 520 grain Government bullet.