44 1/2 and high wall

[dakota]

There are a couple of other rifles that seem to me to be interesting and are up for consideration for my next rifle. (The question of what to get next is always a tough one. At least for me unless I stumble across something I just got to have.)
What do you think about the 44 1/2 and the high wall rifles? How do you think they compare with the Sharps and Rolling Block?

[twomoons]

Here I will quote Ned Roberts...
The highwall is the strongest most modern and neat design yet made in the single shot rifles. The action is slimmer and better designed than anything yet made and the action is fully capable of handling up to 50,000 psi pressure. Ned also shot a 44 1/2 and claimed that they were so popular because Stevens was noted for their accurate barrels, especially after Pope came on board. The 44 1/2 is not as strong as the Highwall, but they are a neat target rifle, the problem here is that a good original will cost about the same as a modern made one and they have none of the romance associated with the Sharps or the Remington. The Winchester is the culmination of the single shot era. They were made to correct all the failings of the prior rifles, but they came in too late for the buffalo era and they are not allowed at some of the Buffalo matches. The Itye replicas are a good value for the money and are excellent shooters. With either a trigger job or the optional Cimarron set triggers they are match ready out of the box. If I were going to pony up the money a 44 1/2 costs i would go one bettter and get the Ballard in the #5 Pacific model. This was a favorite hunting rifle of the westerners and were renouned for thier accuracy. The new models are stronger than the originals, although I rebuilt an original that had been shot out and there is nothing wrong with the original action to about 30,000 PSI. To be quite frank the Sharps 69 or 74 actions were romantic and had good press, but were very crude, by 1876 the whole American rifle team had switched to Remington rifles and the 1878 Borchardt was produced to lure them back. The Remington Hepburn was the next big step forward and soon the Balard and the Bullard and the various Steven's guns became popular. It was surprising to me that the Maynard and Stevens tip down guns were so highly thoght of by the old time target shooters. Having re built a Stevens tip up in 32-20 and having shot it I can se that they were n excellent gun for the money.

I think you just need to get one of each and then you won't have all this deciding to do.

[bounce]

I just wait till I stumble and see what I get up with?? Of course I date this way too, lol... leaves a lot to put in the closet!!

[twomoons]

Bounce
In further reading guess what rifle Ned picked as the best he ever owned...

A Ballard #5 Pacific, which he said was the first ctg gun his Uncle ever though looked like a real rifle should. His caliber of choice? 38-55.

[bounce]

I should bring that Ballard out of the closet more offten, as she shure is pretty!! Affter Doctor T/M's gave her a face lift, old Ned road her pretty hard before I woke up with her!! lol 38-55 is and allways willbe an excelent shooting cal. served both the westen pioneer & the easten marksman very well, perhapps the best of all?

[Bill]

If I was looking for a new modern made rifle and wern't non too concerned about cost and wanted a great shooting rifle there are two I would look at. A Ballard Pacific in .38-55. (just sold one two weeks ago and had a great time playing with it) ;D Or one of the Browning 1885 Creedmore BP rifles of which we are carrying a few special order ones of those in .45-90. Man thats an awsome rifle for around $2k Just wish my pocket book could stretch that far.

[twomoons]

Bill
I hate to tell you this, but most of the Buffalo are dead. You don't need a 45-90 to kill a piece of paper or an iron pig. Go for the 40-65 or 40-70 Sharps straight. Both will do the big game thing adaquatly and at the end of a day on the range your right arm doesn't drag.

[bounce]

I was so shure at one time I would have myself a .40 cal single shot some day that I bought two .40 cal molds for long range shooting. years later i still have the molds but not the gun. Still think that they are the best choice though for today's long rang shooter as they do the job better it seems than all the rest. 38-55 is great to 300yds but lacks the energy to knock over rams well and ding's don't count, the 45-70 could be the very best but it does kick hard enough to weeken a strong mans consintation affter 60 or more rounds. buy all I have read or heard the .40's knock over the rams and save the shooter's shoulder & his consintation. Now I'm geting so I'm no longer expecting to own one anymore but still would like to try out my bullet molds if I would only stumble again to find one in my hands?..smiles..

[bounce]

Actuly I did have a 40-82 in both the win,85 & 86 but the rifleing was to far gone in the 86 to make a hunter even & the 85 was thin but ok, but I learnd that they would not shoot anything but a 265gr. jacketed bullet and their was only one source in CA. that had that bullet. the 85 was very,very hard to load a cartrige and then have it seat in the camber, seamed just to tight for my reloading dies? I had no trubble with that on the 86? anyway I sold them both but should have bought a new barrel in 40 with a 1 in 18 twist and had it chamberd for 40-82 and maybe I would have had something then in the Winchester 85?

[dakota]

2M's I wouldn't mind having one of each but if it becomes a habit like center fire rifles, I have I guess I will just have to live long enough so it might be possible. I am no longer married, my kids are out of the house, mostly and I am trying to wean them. I don't ever expect to be wealthy enough to retire.
I see H&R has a break open 45-70 with decent sights for little money. It sort of looks like my first shotgun.
However, after looking at all that has been said, I think a 38 or 40 caliber in a 85 sure would be a nice place to start, but then I sure like the feel of that Remington action. Oh the agony of the hard decisions.