Billy Dixon used this rifle to set the world record for the longest-range sniper kill in 1874. His record was only beaten in 1967 by a sniper using a .50BMG anti-materiel gun; if you're only counting shoulder-fired small arms, it stood until 2004! What is more remarkable is that he only used iron sights; nobody has even come close to challenging his still-standing noscope record.
@@passengersplace What's even more remarkable is that Billy wasn't necessarily trying to hit the Comanche on the ridge, he simply grabbed the nearest rifle(as his was lost 2 days earlier in the scramble to get back to Adobe Walls) and made what he admitted was "a scratch shot". The army later measured it with a wagon equipped with a primative odometer and found the distance was 1,538 yards. In 1967, USMC GnySgt Carlos Norman Hathcock set the 20th century record of 2,500 yards with a tripod mounted M2HB 50 cal machine gun fitted with a scope on a custom mount. The record stood until 2002. dang brits.
It's always great watching you shoot Sagebrush! Last year I finally took possession of my own custom Shiloh Sharps in .50 2 1/2". I can't wait until I get the opportunity to try some long range shooting with it!
I shot 5 rounds in succession from a 45-70 years ago, I thought my shoulder was broke, the bruising was a beautiful rainbow color, glad the see the shoulder pad!
The original Sharps were made on Capital Avenue in Hartford Ct until 1876, when the company moved to Bridgeport, Ct. The Hartford factory was torn down in 1966.
You always hear people say that you must never rest the barrel on something rather the stock as it can mess with barrel harmonics then you get this guy smacking a target at 990 with an old sharps on a wooden bipod ! Ha! This rifle as amazing !
This type of rifle doesn't have a free floating barrel. If you rest the rifle on the forend it would destroy your accuracy. The barrel has a harmonic node usually about 1/2 to 2/3 down the length of barrel. Resting the barrel on that node point will give you the best accuracy. rumble.com/vbonbl-45-70-barrel-harmonics-how-to-improve-your-accuracy.html
Nice competition rifle! The shots sound like a rocket taking off till the gong sounds seconds later! Hearing a modern rifle shoot and the gong instantly after sounds silly in comparison!
Shot one of these yesterday! What a fabulous and well engineered weapon.. I was pleased hitting the bull with iron sights at 100 yards until I saw this! 🤣
@@SagebrushLongshots is the video of the patch and rod up. I have the wipes, but had questions about the nylon rod. My 45-110 quigley should be here next week. Been waiting on it since January of 2020
In my youth we would shoot our .22 at close to that distance. It was in an old farm field field that the farmer would disc each spring to keep weeds from growing. The person shooting could not see the target. We would aim at the top of oak trees. A spotter would walk the shots onto the target, a metal 5 gallon bucket. Surprisingly after we knew where to hold we could hit the bucket time after time. The bullet would also go right through the bucket.
@@elackner6198 Just a run of the mill Marlin. I still have that gun and can still head shoot squirrels at 50 yards. The person shooting couldn't see the bucket because it was under the view of the scope. It was more like calling in artillery fire. The spotter would watch the puffs of dust and call out corrections. .LOL that was the video games of our time. We would buy a brick of .22 long rifle and shoot them over a weekend. It's surprising what that .22 long rifle will do.
El Segundo : [after capturing Valdez] Like tobacco? Bob Valdez : [quietly] No. El Segundo : [after pausing and nervously clearing his throat] Tell me something... Who are you? Bob Valdez : I told you once before - Bob Valdez. El Segundo : [referring to Valdez's earlier marksmanship against his men] You know something, Bob Valdez, you hit one, I think, 700-800 yards. Bob Valdez : [with certitude] Closer to a thousand. El Segundo : What was it? Sharps? Bob Valdez : [nods] My own load. El Segundo : You ever hunt buffalo? Bob Valdez : Apache. El Segundo : I knew it. When? Bob Valdez : Before I know better...
I want to set up a Pedersoli Sharps 45-70 for some long range shooting with the 6X short Malcolm scope . I know if I use the Pedersoli receiver rear mount my elevation adjustments will be very limited......no where near a 900yd zero . Please advise your front and rear mounting block setups to achieve the range needed . Thanks
I'm curious is that a patch your putting in before the shot?. I'm looking into getting a 1874 sharps and been watching videos your as ive seen the only to run a patch? Down first.
I've seen all your videos and i dig it! I want to mold my own bullets for my sharps and was wondering what kind of smokeless load to use with 535grn bullet. Hard to find load data
Hard to find data because you want to use smokeless powder at 1,200-1,300 fps. Try using Black Powder, a qualifying smokeless load will generate too much chamber pressure for the old gun designs. Back in the day only the Remington rolling block action could handle the pressures of smokeless, the sharps could not.
@@missingthe80s58 agreed, I think he is writing to be a sarcastic idiot before actually knowing ANYTHING. I’m looking at 4 different smokeless loads right now.
@@Sven_E07 Criminally underrated western in my opinion. The Elmore Leonard novel on which it's based is well worth a read if you get the chance. Fantastic writer.
I'm just getting into shooting a Sharps, was wondering what exactly he was using to wipe the barrel here between shots? Looks like the bore wipers from Buffalo Arms with a couple of patches behind 'em, and a nylon ramrod?
I just bought myself one today Lol it takes a little time to hear the projectile hitting the Target Lol it's a Quigley Down Under alright Lol What a Buffalo gun it is... I know can not shoot at buffalo anymore, I really don't like to hunt anymore I have a lot of gun's new ones that have never been fire just to say I have one of those I like the mechanical functions of guns, some are well-designed firearms, don't know what it is after 22 years in the Army I just don't want to shoot anymore ...
Checkout the Buffalo Arms website. They seem to have everything we use. There is a chance I'll see Steve in a few weeks and I'll ask him for the specifics.
Or you could view it as an investment - they hold their value better than currency and you get to enjoy it now with younger eyes. I don't know anyone who bought one and said, "I wish I waited longer to have this much fun...."
@@seanpurdy8230 The first would be to define what you will use the rifle for. Long range matches? Hunting? Range toy? etc. That will help you narrow down things like barrel length, weight and aesthetics. Choose what sights/optic you want to run. I'd keep an eye on the used market too. It takes patience but some real gems turn up regularly. Haunt the long range single shot forums. Pretty hard to go wrong and if you hate it you can probably sell it for what you got if for or more.
@@SagebrushLongshots I appreciate it. I highly doubt I would hate. I've always wanted one ever since I saw Quigley Down Under as a kid 20-something years ago. What's your rifle chambered in?
First of all a very interesting and informative series, good shooting!! I am very interested if you could tell me what Steve in this video is using to clean his Shiloh Sharps after every shot, is it "home" made or sold commercially and finally if commercial what is the brand name, thank you and keep this great show going
Sold at Buffalo Arms www.buffaloarms.com/gun-cleaning-supplies/bore-wiper-cleaning-system-vfg-wads/45-cal-rifle-bore-wiper-cleaning-system-with-15-brass-tips-30-45-cal-wads-15-45-cal-squeegees-bwcs45
Wow! Scope. Bipod. Prone. Parafernalia. You have demonstrated why I keep my 45-70 shots well within 100 yards. Iron sights. Kneeling. Braced against a tree. Nothing extra. But, you make videos, I don't.
Very nice ! Are they Texas Bore Pigs you are using to push through after each shot ? I soak mine in AntiFreeze solution, it is a good anti corrosion fluid.
It is a 32 inch heavy octagon barrel, with 16 inch twist. I had it re-barreled by Shiloh about a year ago. I was shooting with a DZ Arms scope that day, but I also shoot it with an MVA Long Range Buffalo Soule tang sight and Distant Thunder front aperture sight. I have been having pretty good luck lately with a 540 grain bullet from a Buffalo Arms mold, and Swiss 2F powder.
Great information Sir. I recently bought a slightly used Shiloh 1874 and am casting and loading trying to get some decent results. I have been soaking up any information I can get from you guys and trial and error. I am almost tempted to buy some store bought Cast bullets to help eliminate one of my possible problems. Any recommendations for Bullet suppliers ? Thanks
Where is the fun in that? Using period technology has an appeal. Like Jazz, some don't get it. It's cool but man is the modern stuff ugly in comparison.
not much different than smokeless powder . Buy the cast bullets ,ox yoke wonder wads .I don't clean my rifle every shot . I use Aunt Odells home made soap as bullet lube . good for 30 shots on a good day
That is only partly true. There is a sweet spot and using it consistently gets you top scores. The shooter in this video is collecting a lot of trophies at the national level including Quigley. I think he knows what he's doing. How exactly do you NOT put pressure on the barrel with a two piece stock?
Actually the scope doesn’t spring back. It kinda stays put and the rifle moves back. On those old style scopes if they were hard mounted the recoil would destroy it so it sorta “ free floats”
Kind of a old comment but i think he's right. I know it sounds weird but air rifle scopes use to have issues like that as well. It has to do with the variation of movement vs a direct backwards recoil which most scopes can handle. These old scopes are probably free floating to handle the force.
