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Why choose Axtell Rifles?

Keeping with originality as with our sights, we have not compromised the original design of the Sharps 1877. The only difference is we now have higher quality steel; action 8620 ordinance steel, barrel 4150. All internal working parts are heat-treated tool steel, each receiver is X-rayed, the firing pin diameter reduced, each to insure safety. The 'color case hardening' is performed in the original manner, as is the 'hand checkering', and the 'cut rifling'. As well we are now using Badger Barrels, which have shown exceptional quality and performance. Each barrel is also cut with a 1 in 18 twist .

Which calibers do you offer?

The Number One Creedmoor, Number Two Long Range, Lower Sporting and Business Rifles are offered in the traditional Sharps calibers: 40/50 BN (Bottle Neck), 40/70 SS, 40/70 BN, 40/90, 45/70, 45/90, 45/100.

Overbaugh Schuetzen is available in 40/50 BN or 40/50 Straight.

The C-Express Rifle is available in 45/70, 45/90, and 45/100.

What caliber do you recommend?

We believe that the 45/70 is the best all around caliber. This caliber will perform accurately at 50 yards out to 1000 yards, depending on bullet weight and powder load. In the 1800's, Military forces also backed the 45/70. By their standards, it was the best firearm caliber available.

Aside from accuracy and recommendations, the 45/70 also has the highest resale value of the black powder cartridge rifles. It is easily one of the most popular calibers to-date.

The 45/90 is also a good choice. However, the brass is much more expensive and there is more recoil.

If you are looking for a mid-range caliber, (50 to 600 yards), the 40/70 Sharps Straight is a recommendation.

We recommend 500 to 550 grain bullets for long range.

The big calibers such as 45/110, 120 and 140 are not recommended. They are not very accurate and the pain of the recoil will take the fun out of shooting.

How does the 1877 Model Sharps differ from the 1874?

The Sharps Model 1877 Rifle was originally designed as a Target Rifle. After the buffalo era, the American Shooting Team used the Sharps Model 1874 in competition. The competition was as fierce as always, and the team felt it could not perform to its full potential. With some slight modification ideas in mind, they approached the Sharps Factory. The result was the Model '77. The American Team won the Long Range Matches at Creedmoor.

To save money, can I buy one complete sight and several bases so that I can just switch the staff from rifle to rifle?

Yes and no. Now there's a clear answer for you.

YES, if you have a couple of Remingtons and a couple of Sharps you can switch a Remington staff to another Remington base.

NO, you cannot put a Remington staff on a Sharps, Winchester etc. Each sight has a different size pivot and each rifle, due to the drop or shape of the stock, requires a different location for the index notch. The index notch is what determines at what angle the sight must sit on your rifle.

How do I care for my sights?

Always keep the sight lightly oiled. Too much oil will collect dust and grit which will accumulate and act like a fine grinding compound, thus shortening the life of the sight. DO NOT USE WD-40, IT WILL REMOVE THE BLUEING FROM THE SIGHT! Marvel Mystery Oil or an equivalent is sufficient.

What precautions do I take while adjusting the sight?

When you make adjustments to your sight, remember to loosen the eye disk on all sights EXCEPT the Transition models prior to changing elevation settings. The Transition sight has two small screws on the back plate. These screws provide tension and adjustment for wear. The small knurled screw which comes with the Transition model sights is not necessary for normal use. Its purpose is for locking the sight in one position (ie., if you are only going to shoot two-hundred yard Schuetzen matches). If you choose to use this screw, do so by carefully replacing the top back plate screw. Please note, if you attempt to adjust the sight setting with the locking screw in place, you will damage the long lead screw.

How do I install the sights?

INSTALLING FRONT SIGHTS
With the muzzle pointing away, use a COPPER punch to drive the sight right to left. To remove the sight, drive from left to right. Always remove the globe from the base when installing or making zeroing adjustmentson a windgauge sight.

INSTALLING TANG SIGHTS
The tang sight must be perpendicular to the bore line of the rifle. It is not unusual for the receiver tang to be slightly tipped right or left. DO NOT SAND SIGHT OR RECEIVER TANG. Using a carpenter's or machinist's level, level the rifle according to the side of the receiver. Level along the sight staff to make sure the sight is perfectly vertical (you may need to put a narrow strip of brass shim stock under the low side of the sight base).

WINCHESTER TANG SIGHTS
The small front screw on some models is used not only to secure the sight to the tang, it is also for the adjustment of the spring tension on the staff. Over-tightening will deaden or possibly break the spring.

How do I read the vernier scale?

All of the Axtell Rifle Company's target sights are marked with vernier calibrations on the left side of the staff.

The staff is divided into points starting at 0 with the next mark being .05, then .10, .15, .20, etc. to at least 1.0. Design of staff may vary from sight to sight. (ie. Remington, Winchester, Ballard)

The back plate has six markings which are used to graduate the points.


(Staff of #5 Sharps) The image above shows that, with the back plate, you are able to graduate the sight in .01 increments.
(ie. .50, .51, .55)

All of this is designed to allow the shooter to change the sight setting and then to return to the precise setting again and again.

Do the numbers on the side of a sight staff represent yardage?

NO. The numbers and marks on a vernier sight staff are for reference. The amount of sight or elevation you will need as you 'sight in' for different ranges is determined by your caliber, barrel length, powder charge and bullet weight. The weather will also affect your sight settings. Hot weather, your bullet will rise, cool it will drop, if its raining, go home.

Do you make an adjustable eye disk?

We drill our eye disks with a .052" thousands hole, just as the originals. If you have perfect eyes this will work great. If you are like the other 99% of us you will need to open the hole.

To do this is simple, remove the eye disk and by hand, NOT A DRILL PRESS, turn a drill just a couple thousands larger through the hole, put the disk back on the sight and look through it, if your sight picture is clear you're there, if not, open the hole up with a little larger drill. Keep doing this until there is no fuzziness or halo.

If you decided to go ahead and use a nice big drill press and you trash the eye disk or it flips off to places unknown we can replace it for $20.00.

Hadley does make an adjustable eye disk. If you decide to go that route, the thread size to ask for is 10x40 tpi.

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