New guy has questions

[Butch]

I'm a new guy here.  Ive been lurking about for a few months.  I'm thinking about starting BPCR silhouette and/or CASS.  I have a few questions about rifles:
 1.  Falling block vs rolling block?  Is one or the other better, or is it a matter of personal preference?  I've noticed that for roughly equivalent rifles from the same mfg, a rolling block is about $200 less than a falling block.
 2.  Are Pedrettis any good?  They seem to be considerably less expensive than some of the other imports.  I've noticed in my lurking that they had some quality problems a while back, but seem to have overcame them.  The guy at the local shop says they are OK.
3.  How about the H&R Buffalo Classic?  Is this gun any good?  $429 from Cabelas.
4.  What are recommendations for a rifle for $1000 or less?
  That's a bunch of questions.  All advice will be greatly appreciated.
      Thanks,
          Jeff

[Cottonwood]

I'll agree with Marsh on the above with the exception to the Buffalo Classic rifle.  If sighted correctly can shoot and keep up with any of the Sharps rifles and many are used in gong shoots out to ranges of 800 yards.  I ought to know, I used one at the Quigley Match in Forsyth Mt.

As stated with the proper sights the Buffalo Classic can shoot and very well at that.

I know of one for sale right now for $339.00 here in town.

BUT if you want a Sharps design rifle, I personally would choose a Pedersoli myself over a Pedrettis, if you can not afford getting a C. Sharps or a Shiloh Sharps.

JMHO

[Butch]

Thanks guys.  Shiloh and C. Sharps are WAY out of the question.  The Pedersolis seem to be priced right.  I looked at a Pedretti at a shop today.  It was $699.  The finish was pretty good, wood-to-metal fit was good, sights were crappy.  It would end up costing $1000 with new sights.

[detritus]

the concensus i've been getting from this site and elsewhere (i'm also looking to get into shooting these guns).   is that the sharps replicas go sort of like this.

top of the line C.Sharps and Shiloh Sharps (one was started by a guy who broke away from the other after some sort of disagreement, quality is  the same, and supposedly the two "owners" are back on good terms)  after looking over teh options examples of each.  when the times come that i can afford to get one i'll get a Shiloh.

Pedersoli is the top of the food cahin when it comes to the Italian clones.  

the guns imported by Taylor's & Co. and Cimarron from Armi-Sport are reportedly on the same level quality wise, but because of the confusion caused by "armi-sport" sounding like one of the names in the next entry, they've not gotten as much attention from most shooters.  in fact Cimarron sells the Pedersoli and Armi-sport side by side, with a version of each available in each configuration they offer, and as far as they seem concerned the difference is the that b/c THEY pay less for the Armi-sport YOU pay less.  thus giving them a slightly more "Budget" line of Sharps repros

OK now for a name you asked about Pedretti,  these along with Armi San Marcos (the one easily confused with Armi-SPORT) and basicly the REST of the italian made Sharps repros.....  i can nopt say this strongly enough"I wouldn't put MY face next to one and pull the trigger"  i've repeatedly heard Pedretti and IAB called "a large grenade on a rifle stock"  some are ok, some make you wonder if there isn't a loophole in Italian proof testing!  and the only way to tell which one YOU have is when it lets go with your (or your friend/family member's) head next to it.   i'm willing to take certain risks in my life, but not when it involves the safety of a firearm.  esp when i can get one in the exact same configuration that does NOT have a reputation for catatrophic failures

oh btw here's the Taylor's and cimarron

well that's the info I have/have been given

[Hot Foot II]

Hi Butch,

I know what you are going through.  The “old” single-shot rifle bug bit me about 7 years ago so I decided to “just look” around but really what I had in mind was a Shiloh Sharps.  

There were none to be had in my area that didn’t cost a king’s ransom so I kept on “just looking” until one day a Pedersoli Sharps jumped off of a table at a gun show, grabbed my checkbook and ended up riding home with me.  It was an excellent starter rifle and I still have it and shoot it fairly often.  I would not hesitate to recommend a Pedersoli given the spending limit you have set for yourself.  My opinion, from what I have seen and heard, is that the other lower priced European repros cost less because…. well, just because.  

I also have a Pedersoli rolling block.  I don’t shoot it all that often because it has a full length octagon barrel and is heavily weighted towards the front and is a bear to hold/shoot offhand.  Shoots fine off of crossed sticks though.  

Since then five more single shot breechloaders have found a home here.  Four of them originals and one repro… so be forewarned;… if you let the hook get set that $1000 limit to spend on your new hobby will be long gone.

The H&R Buff Classic (Harrington and Wesson?) is often reported be a good shooting rifle but be advised that there is debate as to whether it conforms to the “period” rules for silhouette should you decide to try that game.  You’ll need some suitable sights.   Personally if I was in charge of an “approved” silhouette match and you showed up with one I’d let you shoot it.  Anyone who wants to be kicked that hard (7 -8 pounds maybe?) for 50 plus shots in a few hours should be allowed to participate… but no whining allowed. Groaning and grimacing OK.

Others will have their opinions and may differ with me but I’m sure almost all would recommend a .45-70 for the chambering.

So it all comes down to do what YOU like and can afford…. get a safe rifle, whatever its brand/pedigree and have some fun.  

Happy

P.S.  A parting shot…. and I’ll just whisper this: (Pedersoli Sharps or R Block)

[Brasskisser]

Butch, I have owned sever BPRC rifles, I really like the Pedersoli rifles.  They are very accurate and will compete with any Sharps.  Action is a matter of personal choice.  I just like the style and operations of the Sharps action. Come and join the fun.

[Florida Jim]

Hi Guys:
I new to this group, but I thought I would add my two cents. I've had a Pedersole that I bought from Dixie for several years. It's a 40-65. with "MVA" sights. I bought the rifle after reading a Mike Venturino (one of my heros)article when Dixie first introduced them. I had about a two year learning curve before I could shoot good with it. My business keeps me busy, and I don't get a chance to shoot as often as I would like.
I very pleased with my rifle. I shoot a RCBS 400gr bps bullet cast from wheel weights, lubed with SPG. I load 67 gr's Goex CTG compressed with a .015" wad, Federal 215 primer. At 550 yd's on a bright sunny day (old eyes) I can hit a five gallon paint can lid three out of five times.
If you buy a sharps I would advise get a 45-70. If I had done that I think that I would have had a shorter learning period. I also had a browning 1885 BPCR in 45-70, but I think the Pedersoli shot better, and my friend was extremely good at whining, and I finally sold it to him.

I hope this helps

Jim