1874 Sharps sight question(s)

[Just George]

I have just purchased a new Sharps Creedmore in 45/70 cal.  It has two sights, one on the barrel and the flip up tang behind the block.  The front sight is a hooded afair with the inserts.  I have read the instructions and sort of understand the elevation and windage.  Can anyone shed some light on the different front sight inserts?

Another question.  I could use some help on shooting sticks.  So far I have started with 1" dia. dowels about 6' long.  I have laced them together with some leather strap and twist them into an upside down V to shot with.  Could use some help here.  My plan to to shoot 405 gr lead at ranges up to 600 yards.  (If I can see the target that far away!).  Any help will be followed.
Thanks.

[Fox Creek Kid]

My plan to(sic) to shoot 405 gr lead at ranges up to 600 yards.

Bad plan. Your rifle has either 1 - 20 or 1 -18 rifling that really shines with bullets 500 gr. and larger. Bullet length is the key here. Downside: they kick like hell in a light rifle. 405 gr. will work out to approx. 300 yds. & then they "die", i.e. start yawing and doing funny things.

For one stop BP cartridge rifle shopping go to the "Mecca":  www.buffaloarms.com

[Delmonico]

Although the 500 gr bullets will work better at long range, over stablization is not the problem, it is simple physics, a heavier body remains in motion longer than a light one, the lighter bullets slow down faster than a heavy one, all else being equal.  Yaw and tumbling is either not enough spin or a projectile that is less than uniform.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The different front sight inserts are for different conditions.  Larger hole = more light.  Personally I don't have much time for anything except the circular ones, at least for bullseyes.

[Ranch 13]

 The front sight inserts can be changed for different targets, light conditions etc. I like the cross hair but it's very hard to pickup in low light. The post, or post and ball seem to work very well for me as allround inserts. Those two also work well with the ladder sight.
You're on a good track with your cross sticks. You might want to sling a peice of leather on the top from 1 side to the other to rest the rifle in. Also put a long deck screw in the bottom of each stick and cut the head off to help keep the sticks in place on soft ground.
Your 405 gr bullet should shoot well enough out to the 600 yd mark. I have a friend that shoots that out of an original trapdoor , and I've seen him hit 970 yd gongs often enough. Most important thing is to make sure the bullet is sized at least .002 over bore diameter for the best accuracy and keeping leading to a minimum.

[Just George]

Thank-you very much.  I have put heave screws on the bottom of the sticks.  BTW, they worked very well.  200 yards off the sticks was about the same as off the bench.  As for bullet weight, do I understand that the 500 gr slug will travel better at longer ranges?  Seems the lighter one would go faster.  I have located 500 gr bullets but waiting for more info on this subject.  So far the recoil from to 405's as just fine (I'm a big guy).  I any of you have a good idea for a load, or where to start from I would appreciate it.  Thanks again.

[Delmonico]

Simple. all the black powder of your choice you can get in the case you use with a slight compression and with out the bullet seated to long to chamber.   Beyond that your rifle will let you know what it likes.

[Ranch 13]

 Depending on what you want to do here are some of the loads I like.
500 gr bullet 65 grs Goex 2f  (good general purpose bp load)
535 gr Postel 70 grs Goex express 2f ( good long range accuracy load)
25 grs AA 7544 500 gr bullet ( good for duplicating the firs bp load for when you don't feel like cleaning cases)

The lighter bullet will go faster, but it also slows down faster. So for consistant longrange shots the heavier bullet will generally win the day. If you don't cast your own look to Montana Bullet works, Sagebrush products, and Cheycast for good selection of cast bullets. Montana and Sagebrush will both sell you unlubed and unsized bullets , so you can do the rest and save a bit of money.

[Delmonico]

May I presume for clairity that you are using Winchester brass ranch 13?

[Ranch 13]

 Yes sir you may assume that, altho I doubt it would make much difference as to what brand of brass.
I also left out I put a .030 walters wad under the bullet.
Mostly I use  winchester lr primers, but have from time to time run those loads with cci primers.

[Delmonico]

I don't think you could get that much powder in a Remington case, they are a lot heavier.

[Ranch 13]

 Well that could be, but with a long enough drop tube it might work.
I have found that with the Lyman M dies if you drop the 70 gr charge in the case, then set the wad on the powder, then run the case into the belling die it compresses the whole mess just right for the Postell to set on it, seated to the crimp groove.

[Delmonico]

I made one years ago by using a expander  die from a junk 38 special die set and sweating a 38 case on it, it just fits inside the 45-70 case, if I'd a thought about the M die I could have saved a bit of work.

[Ranch 13]

 Yup M die works like a champ. Buffalo arms has a good selection of compression plugs that replace the expander.