Anniversary Rifle

[Mike]

Okay, here's enough pictures to bore you. While waiting to get this rifle I made a blanket gun cover from a piece of Pendleton blanket. I personally like blanket material better than leather, more padding and such. And my thoughts that went into the order for this rifle were somewhat based on the idea that I was putting together a buffalo outfit and had just enough $$$ left for one more rifle. Don told me about the original Hartford '74 he's playing with in .50/70 and that was a big influence. Also, I have a copy of the old Sharps 1875 catalog and I combed that for details. One detail I noticed in that old catalog was that 1/2 octagon barreled rifles were $2 less expensive than the full octagon versions. Too bad that isn't true today. Also, prices of the rifles were dependent on barrel length; a 26" barreled rifle was cheaper than a 28 or 30" barreled rifle. Those ideas and a few more were boiled out to become the order for this 26" 1/2 oct. Model '74 Hartford in .50/70 with Hartford collar, and pack-hardened receiver with no rear dovetail on the barrel. This rifle joins my .44/77 and my .44/90 to make my Hartford family rather complete. Here's hopin' you think it's a good one. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Lumpy Grits]

Very nice Mike
I have a 34" hvy bbl Hartford in .45-70, and love it.
Gary

[Mike]

Gary, And here is my Hartford family with the .44/90 #1 1/2 Heavy 32" at the top, the .44/77 #1 Heavy 28" in the middle, and the new .50/70 #1 Heavy 1/2 oct. 26" on the bottom. I do have a couple of others but these should do nicely. Shoot sharp, Mike

[powderburner]

that is a nice rifle , your set aint bad either.

[Mike]

Thanks Dean. Did you recognize your bullet in that .50/70 cartridge? I can't think of anything to add to that set except for some good knives. Shoot sharp, Mike

[powderburner]

I did! I dont like lookin too long as I really like the colors on your wood. hehehe

[Mike]

Dean, We'll see about giving you some hands-on with those guns next June. To me the wood looks even better when you can hold 'em. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Mike]

Thamks Mike,
I hope you get your 50-70 today and Happy New Year.

Trapper

Hey Trapper, This is still your thread, sort of... What thoughts about a .50/70 do you have now? Anything inviting? Shoot sharp, Mike

[Trapper]

Nice looking rifle Mike, I am pretty fond of the Hartford model too. That is what I am ordering. As for the 50-70 I am still trying to decide. Thanks for posting them pictures that is a beautiful rifle.
Lump my wife has already paid the money to Shiloh. I don't know how she hid that from me for the last 9 months.
Bobw I really like my 45-2 7/8. My wife put the bug in my ear about the 45-70. She thinks I might get old and sensitive and want a less recoiling rifle. I don't know how much more recoil the 45- 2 7/8 with a 565gr has over the 50-70 with say a 600gr bullet. That is why I am stumped. She is probably right, I just don't want to admit it.

Trapper

[Mike]

Trapper, Just my thoughts but I do think a 600 grain bullet is too heavy for a 50/70, stay with 500 or below. My favorite is still the #515141 greaser which weighs about 435 grains when I cast them. Load that over 65 grains of Olde Eynsford 2F and you find some very comfortable shooting. In general, the .45/70 with most loads will kick you harder than a .50/70. At least, that's my experience. Shoot sharp, Mike