GUNS Magazine Departments

Any psychologist will tell you new experiences are healthy and I’m ready for some. So for me, 2008 will be the Year of the Rollers – Rolling Block rifles that is. At least that will be the case in regards to the BPCR Silhouette game, of which I shoot about 30 matches a year. The most used types of rifles in that sport are Sharps Model 1874s, High Wall/Model 1885s, and Remington Rolling Blocks in order of popularity. The specific ones in use vary from originals with new barrels assembled by a myriad of gunsmiths to newly manufactured replicas coming both from domestic factories and offshore ones.

For the last three years I’ve used only Shiloh Sharps Model 1874 .45-70s made right here in Montana. And I’ve done pretty well with them overall, even if I do say so myself, which is not the same as saying any impressive titles have come my way. I’ve won a few of our monthly matches, and managed to at least stay in the top 10 percent of many others. Considering the level of competition in this state, that is pretty satisfying.