Bet you kind of wished you had kept that one. those were nice guns for brush hunting.

Wow! That is one heck of a load! 585 bullet at 2700 fps? That's .458 numbers. More. I think. A .458 will push a bullet that heavy to about 2200, I think.

I own one of those Axtell 1877 Sharps rifles. Have yet to shoot it! It is a pretty thing. I called the company, before they went broke, and asked them if I could shoot smokeless in it. They reported that it was only proofed for BP. They also said that they are a lot stronger than is the original Sharps. Anyway, if I ever get around to shooting it, I'll load it to moderate smokeless levels. I like shooting BP tho. Might try 777.

I cannot recall what the load was I used in my 45/70 for the Ruger No 1. I do recall using 3031. I usually load the middle load as recorded in a reloading manual.

I have a friend who hunts with Lord Randolph Churchill's 400/450! I've seen the rifle, beautiful. Cased. As I write I cannot recall the maker. The owner had about a eight or ten wonderful double rifles.

That would be something to see.
My .458 lott will push a 500 grain bullet 2300 and the .460 weatherby will go about 2600. I heard the early factory ammo for the .460 weatherby went as fast as 2700 but they turned it down.

There have been times I wish I had it but the Taylor is a real nice rifle and will do much more than the 45/70 is capable of.

You can shoot smokeless loads in that sharps but you should stick with nitro for black loads. 5744 is a pretty good powder to work with. Load to trap door pressures. Can you post some pics of your sharps.

I have fired a Whby 460 once, and from the bench. I embarrassed myself when the end of the bolt came back and hit me square on the nose, which filled my eyes with tears. I couldn't help it. When I shoot really big bore rifles I stand up and allow by torso to take the recoil.

I enjoy shooting H&H 375's and don't find them punishing. Of course when you actually shoot at hair you don't notice the recoil at all.

I doubt I'll ever go back to Africa. Around here elk are thick, I mean in my neighborhood! They are a pest. Deer too. I have never even shot at an elk tho. During elk season the woods sound like an infantry attack. Most guys, however; go after them with a bow in the earlier season and the success rate is high.

Here is the Axtell:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...harps009-1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...7Sharps001.jpg

Critics complain that the Axtell's aren't up to Shiloh Sharps quality. Mine looks okay to me. I can see some slight flaws in the inletting, but not much.

That is not an ugly gun. Can we see a few more pictures?

Dam fine English sharps (1877). Looks pretty good to me.