Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy’s Sharps .45-70 32in
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About this product
What is the Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy's Sharps .45-70 32in?
The Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy's Sharps is a historically accurate single-shot rifle chambered in .45-70 Government, featuring a 32-inch octagonal barrel and a double-set trigger system. This reproduction maintains the original 1874 Sharps design while incorporating modern usability enhancements like a drilled and tapped receiver. Built by Pedersoli with select walnut stock and German silver accents, it bridges 19th-century craftsmanship with contemporary shooting needs.
What is the Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy's Sharps .45-70 32in used for?
This rifle excels in historical reenactment, long-range traditional shooting, and hunting applications where precision single-shot capability is valued. Its .45-70 chambering delivers 3,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, suitable for medium to large game within 200 yards. The 32-inch barrel provides superior stability for offhand shooting competitions requiring period-correct firearms.
How does the Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy's Sharps .45-70 32in compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, 20in Matte Black Synthetic?
The Sharps outperforms the Stevens 334 in historical authenticity and long-range precision but lacks its tactical versatility. While the Stevens 334 offers 4+1 capacity and 20-inch barrel for quick handling, the Sharps provides superior 1,000-yard accuracy potential with its 32-inch barrel and adjustable ladder sights. For modern hunting applications requiring rapid follow-up shots, the Stevens 334 remains more practical.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 10.79 pounds unloaded with an overall length of 46.88 inches. The 32-inch octagonal barrel measures 1.125 inches across flats at the breech, tapering to 0.875 inches at the muzzle. These dimensions contribute to its 4.5-inch center of gravity forward of the trigger guard, providing exceptional balance for offhand shooting.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is unsuitable for tactical applications, home defense, or shooters requiring rapid fire capability. The single-shot action requires 8-10 seconds between rounds for extraction and reloading, making it impractical for dynamic scenarios. Beginners may struggle with the 10.79-pound weight and double-set trigger system requiring 2.5-pound primary pull weight adjustment.
What's in the box?
The package includes the rifle with serialized receiver, one 12-inch cleaning rod with .45 caliber jag, and a factory test target showing 3-shot groups at 100 yards. Documentation includes ATF-compliant serialization paperwork and Pedersoli's 2-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. No optics, mounts, or additional accessories are included.
Is the Taylors & Company Pedersoli 1874 Billy's Sharps .45-70 32in worth it at $3103.99?
At $3103.99, this rifle justifies its cost for serious historical shooters and collectors seeking authentic replication. The investment covers hand-fitted walnut stock, German silver furniture, and precision barrel manufacturing that produces 1.5 MOA groups with hand-loaded ammunition. For modern shooting applications, the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U provides better value at one-third the price.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 32-inch octagonal barrel provides 1.5 MOA accuracy with hand-loads - superior to most modern reproductions
- Double-set trigger adjusts from 2.5 to 8 ounce pull weight - 60% lighter than standard military triggers
- Drilled and tapped receiver accepts modern optics while maintaining historical profile - rare in this price bracket
Trade-offs
- 10.79-pound weight requires shooting sticks or bench rest - not suitable for extended offhand use
- Single-shot action limits practical rate of fire to 6 rounds per minute - half the speed of bolt actions
- No included optics mount or bases - adds $150-200 to achieve scoped configuration
Key attributes
| upc | 802987400282 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 210139 |
| action | Break Open |
| barrel length | 32" |
| caliber/gauge | .45-70 Government |
| capacity | 1rd |
| sights | Dovetail Blade Front/Dovetail Ladder Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with modern .45-70 ammunition?
- Yes, it handles all SAAMI-spec .45-70 Government ammunition including 405gr and 500gr loads. Maximum recommended pressure is 28,000 PSU for modern smokeless loads. Avoid +P or wildcat cartridges to prevent breech face erosion.
- Does it fit standard rifle cases?
- Requires a 48-inch hard case due to its 46.88-inch overall length. Standard 42-inch cases won't accommodate the 32-inch barrel. Pelican 1750 or Plano All-Weather 52-inch models provide 2 inches of clearance at muzzle and buttstock.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments take 7-10 business days via Ironclad Armory's contracted carriers. Processing adds 2 business days for ATF compliance checks. Express shipping available for $75 additional reducing transit to 3 business days.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Returns accepted within 30 days for un-fired condition with original packaging. Customer pays return shipping and 15% restocking fee. Fired firearms cannot be returned due to ATF regulations on serialized weapon transfers.
- Does this work with Malcolm Optics scopes?
- Yes, the drilled and tapped receiver accepts #8-40 screws for Malcolm 6X or 8X long-range scopes. Requires separate base purchase from Talley or EGW costing $120-180. Maximum recommended scope weight is 24 ounces to maintain balance.