tonight on "COWBOYS" 7:00 PM Eastern (and again at 11:30)

Billy Dixon's long range shot dropped an indian off his horse at an amazing 1538 yards with a Sharps rifle

Love this show ( But I'm sure this country - and the world - would be a better place if the indians had won.)

That's what I'd call a lob with one of them....aim fer the moon, Slim! *baloopmph!*

Check this out too. usarmorment.com/pdf/45-70.pdf

Gotta love the .45-70!

Interesting article, Pumpkinslinger. It must have required some interesting sights to reach these distances. Note the rifle butt stock is held under the arm.

"The firing was done by Mr. R.T Hare of Springfield Armory who has the enviable
distinction, so far as is known, of being the only person in the world who has hit
the 'Bull's-Eye' six feet in diameter at 2,500 yards with three different rifles, and
who has ever fired at and hit so small a target as that described in this report at
3,200 yards.

In comparison with this, all other so-called 'long range firing' pales into
insignificance. The gun was held under the arm, a muzzle rest only being used."

Thanks, Pumpkinslinger, that's a great article.

Loved the 45-70 !!

I shot them at subsonic, and can snipe at rabbit heads up to about 75 meters away.

If I can remember the trajectory and IF I can guess the distance correctly,
it could reliably kill a buffalo cleanly at least at 700 meters away.

Throwing brick sized projectile slow and steady without much recoil is definitely addictive to me

slimjim wrote:

Note the rifle butt stock is held under the arm.

Actually Slim, the butt-stock is supported by his shoulder.

"The rifle fore-stock and barrel was cradled in a rest; the butt was supported by his shoulder."

gelandangan wrote:

Actually Slim, the butt-stock is supported by his shoulder.

I thought it was held under the arm for the 3200 yard shot. On the shoulder but head not resting on the stock for those around 2000 yards.

You are right Slim, I reckon for that long distance shot it would be impossible to rest head on stock
and still see the target due to the extreme elevation, unless it is a non standard stock.

Like you I found that it is very interesting to learn the sighting system he use for that long a shot..

Morning gelandangan!!! Sun has set hear.

wow that sure was some shooting. a large slow slug sure goes alot further than I would have thought.

As with any long shot the problem isn't really the distance it is getting the bullet to stop on target. Winds blowing from five different directions and at five different speeds and no way to measure them can keep you a long ways off the target.
That military sniper that shot the longest kill shot ever said it all - "it was a lucky shot" even with a spotter and the right training and equipment at the very long ranges it can come down to luck of the draw.

Interesting posts. I wonder if Billy Dixon could have duplicated that shot. All the best...
Gil

And then there's this:

Need some great equipment to get performance like that.