Sharps - Borchardt
 

Hugo Borchardt designed both pistols and rifles. This is my latest project, I like to think of it as my "Luger Rifle."

Interesting! Are you making everything from scratch, or restoring an existing rifle??? :)

"Your latest project"...Are there others??? ;)

Thank you Sheepherder, I bought a Sharps Mid-Range that had been rebarreled into a Varmint rifle. However, the caliber was so obscure that it was easier and cheaper to rebarrel it into something useful, so it's now a 32-40. I'm refitting and contouring the forearm. I need to cut a dovetail on the bottom of the barrel for the forearm hanger. I have a friend named Rodney Storie who use to make casting kits to build various single shot actions. One of my friends assembled a Sharps - Borchardt from one of Rodney's kits, but it's a lot of work! I always have some project going. For more information google "ISSA Schuetzen."

H. Borchardt patent drawing #185721;

very interesting, thank you for sharing!

And your reasoning was that 32-40 is less obscure??? OK... :p

Hell of a taper on that cartridge.

I have been on the lookout for a 32-40 blank for re-barreling Nambus. Haven't been too aggressive about it. Green Mountain has some. But expensive. :(

What powder are you planning to use???

sheepherder,

32-40 Ballard is the meat and potatoes schuetzen caliber here in America, the European version is 8,15 X 46R, both are excellent calibers for 200 yard competition. There are other good calibers; 38-55, 32 Miller Short, etc., but I prefer 32-40. The load that I've used for many years is 14.5 grains of H4227, breechseated with a 210 grain Barry Darr spritzer bullet. We all cast our own bullets, and generally use 5% tin 95% lead. Our target is the 25 point ring target which has a 1.5" center. Our matches are usually center-fire 200 yards scope and iron sights, bench and offhand. 22 rimfire is shot at 100 yards, bench and offhand, although some folks are now shooting 22 rimfire at 200 yards, however.....I find it difficult to see the holes at that distance. If you're interested, there is an ISSA Regional Match later this month in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Even if you don't shoot it's fun to watch, and most of the folks will be glad explain what they're doing. You might have a look at; "www.assra.com" or "www.issa-schuetzen.org"

Ah! You didn't say "32-40 Ballard" in your post. Here in my cowboy America we have a late-1800's cartridge called the 32-40 Winchester, with many lever action rifles chambered for it. Quite different cartridge from the 32-40 Ballard. ;)

Sounds like a fun project in any caliber. :cheers:

I hope you have better luck with your forearm than I did. It came out perfect until I treated it with BLO and it turned much darker than I expected. :(

32-40 Ballard - Winchester;

Rich,

I think 32-40 winchester and 32-40 Ballard are the same caliber.

Weren't you thinking 32-20 WCF? That's the ''Cowboy'' caliber.

"D'OH!!!". My mistake. I thought it might be the 32-40 Bullard. Much straighter cartridge than the 32-40 Ballard. The 32-40 Winchester seems to have been fairly popular in my area. Back in 1992, the corner Gas&Go had a box of it sitting on the shelf along with several other calibers. I bought the box for a friend who had five old Winchester lever actions. :)

Bob, please post pics as you progress. Always a treat to see people who actually get their hands dirty, instead of parts changers. :thumbup:

Yesterday, I shot my Luger "Scheibengewehr" in a local match at 200 yards and it seems to be doing OK. The target is a 25 point ring target, the center is 1½", this is a good target but not really a match winning target, however I think Hugo Borchardt would be pleased;