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Few rifles turn heads at the range like a full size Sharps, and this one wears the heaviest barrel configuration in the Taylor's & Company lineup. The 1874 Sharps Down Under Sport carries a 34 inch blued octagon barrel chambered in .45-70 Government, hung on a color case hardened falling block receiver that looks every bit as good as the originals that earned the nickname Old Reliable on the buffalo ranges. If the name rings a bell, it should. This is the style of rifle made famous by a certain long range marksman from the movies, and the extra long barrel is the giveaway.
That big barrel is not just for looks. The added length and weight settle the rifle down over cross sticks or a bench, soak up recoil from heavy .45-70 loads, and give black powder charges room to burn clean. A double set trigger lets you set a crisp, light break when precision counts, and the dovetail blade front paired with a ladder rear sight gives you the elevation to stretch this cartridge out to distances that surprise people the first time they see it done. At roughly 13 pounds with an overall length just under 51 inches, it holds steady the way a proper single shot target rifle should.
The checkered American walnut stock and forend are fit by hand to the barreled action, and the forend wears a bright silver tip that sets off the case colors nicely. A traditional patchbox in the buttstock nods to the cavalry roots of this pattern. The metalwork is CNC machined for consistency, so you get period looks with modern accuracy underneath.
This is the rifle for black powder cartridge silhouette matches, long range gong shooting, or anyone who wants a serious piece of Old West history they can shoot regularly. Drop the block, slide in a single .45-70 round, set the trigger, and take your time. That is the whole point of a rifle like this, and few do it better.
It is a modern production reproduction with CNC machined steel parts, so it handles standard pressure .45-70 Government loads just fine. That said, single shot Sharps reproductions are traditionally paired with standard or black powder equivalent loads rather than the hot lever gun magnum stuff. Check your load data and the manual, and stick with standard pressure ammunition for the best experience.
Pull the rear trigger first to set the mechanism, which turns the front trigger into a very light, crisp break. You can also fire using the front trigger alone without setting it if you prefer a conventional pull. The set trigger is a huge advantage for deliberate long range shots off cross sticks or a rest.
Most Taylor's Sharps models come predrilled and tapped to accept Creedmoor sights, which is the classic upgrade for black powder cartridge silhouette and long range work. The factory ladder rear and dovetail blade front will get you started, and many owners add a vernier tang sight later. Verify hole spacing before ordering an aftermarket sight.
It weighs around 13 pounds thanks to the 34 inch heavy octagon barrel, so it is not a rifle you want to carry up a mountain all day. That weight is a feature, not a flaw, for its intended role. It steadies your hold and tames .45-70 recoil noticeably, which is why this configuration is the pick for target and silhouette work.
| UPC | 839665008362 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 210148 |
| Action | |
| Barrel Length | 34" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .45-70 Government |
| Capacity | 1rd |
| Sights | Dovetail Blade Front/Dovetail Ladder Rear |
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