Pulled out the Sharps

Started by Gen Lew Wallace, May 07, 2013, 09:04:56 AM

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Gen Lew Wallace

This past weekend was the Delaware state championship and I got to take the '74 Sharps carbine out for the side matches Friday.  The target was set at 100 yards and I was able to get off 5 rounds of 45-70 in just over 31 seconds.  I came in second; the winner getting the shots off in around 24 seconds.  He was shooting a trapdoor. 

I had a wonderful time! 
Retired USAF, 20 years defending my beloved nation
NRA Life, SUVCW, GAF#164, AF&AM, AASR

"This is my native state.  I will not leave it to serve the South.  Down the street yonder is the old cemetery, and my father lies there going to dust.  If I fight, I tell you, it shall be for his bones." -Lew Wallace, after the 1860 election

cpt dan blodgett

Do you keep rifle on shoulder for the reloads.  If not you may be able to shave a little off the time.  Suggestion i got from Split Rail at WR last year.
Queen of Battle - "Follow Me"
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DAV Life
ROI, ROII

Gen Lew Wallace

Captain, I thought about that.  However, with the Sharps rifle for me to get the spent brass out of the breech it would require me to raise the gun higher than I was comfortable with the safety requirements with the berm.  So I did lower it to remove empties and reload.  The remaining cartridges were on the table so it wasn't really that much of a stretch.  I'm sure there are ways to improve my time, especially with practice.  Something to work on for next year's match.
Retired USAF, 20 years defending my beloved nation
NRA Life, SUVCW, GAF#164, AF&AM, AASR

"This is my native state.  I will not leave it to serve the South.  Down the street yonder is the old cemetery, and my father lies there going to dust.  If I fight, I tell you, it shall be for his bones." -Lew Wallace, after the 1860 election

cpt dan blodgett

You may find a slight elevation and a sharpish working of the lever may turn the extractor into an ejector
Queen of Battle - "Follow Me"
NRA Life
DAV Life
ROI, ROII

1961MJS

Quote from: Gen Lew Wallace on May 09, 2013, 07:35:00 PM
Captain, I thought about that.  However, with the Sharps rifle for me to get the spent brass out of the breech it would require me to raise the gun higher than I was comfortable with the safety requirements with the berm.  So I did lower it to remove empties and reload.  The remaining cartridges were on the table so it wasn't really that much of a stretch.  I'm sure there are ways to improve my time, especially with practice.  Something to work on for next year's match.

Hi

While I'm a Safety Engineer, unless you don't feel a normal recoil when you pull the trigger, I wouldn't worry about how high you raise the gun between firing and reloading.  It IS a single shot after all.  It's not NICE to do that, but it should be safe.

Later

Gen Lew Wallace

Perhaps my comment was misunderstood.  The safety rules at the shooting club prohibit raising the barrel of the gun above the berm for safety reasons.  To violate this rule means match DQ.
Retired USAF, 20 years defending my beloved nation
NRA Life, SUVCW, GAF#164, AF&AM, AASR

"This is my native state.  I will not leave it to serve the South.  Down the street yonder is the old cemetery, and my father lies there going to dust.  If I fight, I tell you, it shall be for his bones." -Lew Wallace, after the 1860 election

Pitspitr

It'd be tough to shoot a rolling block there.
I remain, Your Ob'd Servant,
Jerry M. "Pitspitr" Davenport
(Bvt.)Brigadier General Commanding,
Grand Army of the Frontier
BC/IT, Expert, Sharpshooter, Marksman, CC, SoM
NRA CRSO, RVWA IIT2; SASS ROI, ROII;
NRA Benefactor Life; AZSA Life; NCOWS Life

1961MJS

Quote from: Gen Lew Wallace on May 17, 2013, 09:56:11 AM
Perhaps my comment was misunderstood.  The safety rules at the shooting club prohibit raising the barrel of the gun above the berm for safety reasons.  To violate this rule means match DQ.

Yep it was.  I've only talked to Bullseye shooters when they raise a loaded barrel above the berm.  I even stop the air pistol shooters from doing that.

BIIIIGGGGGGGG difference.   :o

Drydock

My research and practice leaves me to believe, that for single shots (ONLY for single shots) trying to maintain the weapon on the shoulder makes little difference in times.  Whatever time lost in mounting and dismounting are countered by the longer travel of cartridge to breech, as well as the more difficult manipulation required to both eject and chamber the round.

Practice, practice, practice!
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

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