Was looking for another metric to post but came across this pic an early 45/70 WRA Co lead cartridge I have in the collection.
The chap I got it off said it was an early type RCS you may know still its in pretty good shape.
I'll scout around as I have some pretty unique rounds in my collection.
Here where I am located it is extremely difficult to obtain any type of ordnance or cartridges due to our strict laws on owning, selling and postage of the items.
For instance you cannot post live ammunition, powder or primers all of that has to be trucked into this state from the eastern states
We do not have places in towns that sell the gear and allot of it is obtained by word of mouth or by the one club here in this state.
So I will endeavour to find some of my what I think are either odd ball or rare types to share as a matter of interest.
I have a reasonable cartridge packet collection a couple of note worthy ones are a bit ratty 280 Ross packet and a 276 Peterson sadly both empty.
My first photo shows 44 Henry, 45 Govt 45-70 and 50-70 - last three being Benet primed, note the crease or pinch like detent up from the rim. headstamps started in 1877. These are the type used at the Little big Horn during the Indian Wars
The other picture shows early paper patch cartridges, the second from right is modern day 45-120. The 40-70 and 40-90 are quite popular today in the modern Sharps rifles and good long range cartridges. I have friends that use these calibers. The 45-75 Sharps is a 45-70, the paper patch cartridges in my photo do not have headstampsAttachment 119529Attachment 119530
My second group of early cartridges shows the following:
44 S&W American first appeared in 1869, 44 Russian (1870's) 44 Colt kind of rare to find with headstamp, used in the 1860 Colt cartridge conversions, 45 S&W used in Schofield
champ, which caliber were you talking about ? Had a friend in California who bought a modern reproduction of the Sharps 1874 chambered in 50-140 cal. He
had 20 rounds custom loaded with black powder (using drop tube). He fired three cartridges and then sold the rifle !
Here is a pic of myself 04/05/2006 firing my friends MkV 460 Weatherby Magnum in its standard stock with no dead mule, the rifle is in full recoil having just launched a 500gn projie at around 2,600 Fps.
My front foot is just starting to lift as I rock back a bit to soak up the recoil I fired 3 rounds in the space of about 5 minutes on the second round I forgot to open my mouth and ended up tasting enamel from my teeth grinding after soaking up the 108 Ft/Lb of free recoil energy.
If you get the chance to fire one go for it my friend had a custom stock made for it and a dead mule fitted which tamed it somewhat I fired a further 4 rounds from it and whilst it was better it was not that pleasant to shoot.
I even managed to hit a 6" gong at 214 Mtrs with open sights on the 3rd round from the bench.(Probably a fluke but I'm taking it.)
I have not fired it since the last outing and really have no desire to again.
I do this stufff so I can recount what the experience was like other than some who fudge a bit and never done stuff like that, in-fact I could shoot my mates 300WM all day long but the 460WM naah! take a hike with that mother.
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