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Thread: Shilo Sharps Bullet Recomendation

  1. #1
    hawkeye2 is offline
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    Shilo Sharps Bullet Recomendation

    What bullet do you Shilo owners recommend for the percussion carbine? I see Moose offers 2 molds and Tennessee has one. Someone on eBay is offering custom made Lee molds ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/54-Caliber-S...3D151572683254 ) and I don't see the Lyman mold offered new anywhere.

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    Fred Jr is offline
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    I use an old Palmetto mold. Have no idea where I got it but probably from my dad's assortment. It is no. 555431 and it is big! My brother used a buffalo style as does a member of our team. They both shoot very well.

    Good luck! Been using my Shiloh for about 30 years or so!

    Fred

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    ms3635v's Avatar
    ms3635v is offline
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    I use Moose's ringtail mould in my Shilo Sharps with 40 grains of 3F. It shoots very well.
    Mike Santarelli 03635V, Adjutant
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    I have a Pedersoli Sharps and I use the Pedersoli mold. 45 grains 3F. Not as accurate as my Richmond Carbine but I hope to make up for it with the amount of lead I can put down range! Shooting it for the first time this weekend!

    Steve

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    Just for fun I tried .550 round balls with 35ffg. It worked great but someone bought the carbine before I got it to the line to shoot. I used a wad next to the powder.
    Last edited by Bruce Cobb 1723V; 03-30-2017 at 11:55 AM.
    N-SSA Member since 1974

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    I can't say for a Shilo, but the Moose .544 Ringtail works great in my wife's original Model 1859. The mould is well made and the bullets fall right out when opened. It is a joy to cast with.

  7. #7
    Cannonman1 is offline
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    54 Minie works well

    I have used a variety of bullets in my rifle and carbine and the .54 minie with a paper cartridge, dipped in a good soft lube works wonderfully well. All the previous suggestions are great too. Good thing is that you have a Shiloh and that was the most important first step.. It will shoot better than you can shoot it anyway.. LOL.

  8. #8
    jonk is offline
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    The ebay mold says that it duplicates the Rapine mold, which is what I shoot.

    With slightly hard lead (3 parts pure to 1 part wheelweights) it shoots better than I can hold it, for sure.

    The Lee REAL mold actually does very well too.

  9. #9
    Charlie Hahn is offline
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    You need to verify the groove diameter. It should be about .542. The driving band should not be larger than .005 inch over groove. The barrels are a little on the soft side. For that reason I would stay away from wheel weights, they have material other than tin and lead in them and will take the drive side of the rifling to a radius or angled chamfer which will degrade the down range experience after as few as 200 shots. (I tested this on the said carbine we are talking about)

    Soft lead should be considered, or 20:1 lead tin to strengthen the driving band and extend the useful life of the barrel.

    Typically you will see these barrels begin to wain at about 4000 to 7000 rounds depending on bullet material and lube type. If you go for a reline, Mr. Hoyt offers on request a liner made of 86L20 in 48 twist that will last much longer in our sport.

    What ever bullet being used I do suggest sizing the rear band to make it round, most moulds do not cast a true round bullet.

    These ideas are offered based on my experience.

    Charlie Hahn

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    Thanks for the tips, Charlie!

    Steve

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