Sharps Model 1863 carbine

[Eric Johanen]

    Taking a bit of a break from casting bullets for the coming season and working with my new rifle and thought I'd put up some loads for my Garrett Arms 1863 carbine. Acquired it from a old NSSA shooter and it has had modifications done to the breech block and chamber. I've had it for over 35 years ad it is really a very good shooter. I use a Rapine flat base mold and ZIG-ZAG double wide papers. 60 grains of 2 fg and my home made lube. (I do have a very good supply of the CCI Hot musket caps). If these look like they were just thrown together, they were! Rolled up 50 pretty quick! I carry them in period style carbine cartridge boxes with the wood block insert and they are pretty durable as long as they do not get wet. I lay the lubed bullet and my dowel on the paper and just roll up and lick the glue strip. Choke with a bit of thread so the bullet does not move forward when I twist it up and call them done. When twisted they are quite firm and I like to grab the tail when drawing them from the cartridge box. Insert the cartridge, breech block cuts the tail, blow off the excess powder, cap and shoot. Not much more than that. I have not had this carbine out for a spell and thought it was about time to blow the spiders out of the barrel.

[Lumpy Grits]

Do you get much ash left from the paper?
Gary

[Eric Johanen]

LG, All consumed on firing. Years ago I used rice paper and nitrated the sheets and cut strips to size. The Zig-Zag papers are not that expensive and a lot less fooling around. I shoot this carbine infrequently (maybe less that 200 every few years) so I just keep it simple. I'd really like to put a deer in the freezer with it. I really should shoot it more as the previous owner had the mod's done, did a really nice fine job opening the rear sight notches and added a higher brass blade to the front sight. Zeroed for the 100 yard hanging targets and just need to hold a bit low for 50 yards. Used it in CAS "Plainsman" single shot rifle or carbine category. After a match it's nice not to have any brass to mess with, just clean the guns and have a beer!

[Lumpy Grits]

I asked because when I tried cig paper for an over-primer wad(bottom of case). There was ash left in every case. The ash issue stopped when I tried white coffee filter paper.
Gary

[Eric Johanen]

I don't know. May have something to do with placed flat against the base of the case or around the circumference of the chamber walls. With the base of the paper cartridge exposed there is a lot of powder to flash along the paper and it seems to burn it all up. I do have a question, why would the ash left in the case be a problem? It all is removed on cleaning right? (confession, I still have not got around to trying a coffee filter paper under powder wad). I'll give it a try come spring when the weather is better. I do use a under primer wad of about .004 with Federal Large Pistol primers for some loads and because the Federal's are just a bit snugger to seat then the other brands have not seen any evidence of gas leakage or breech block peening. I only use the Federal brand for this application. Beat the cold today at an indoor range and a .223 carbine. Feeling very good!

[Lumpy Grits]

The ash can end up in the bore also.
I found that no ash, leaves no issues.
Gary

[Eric Johanen]

OK, I got it now.