Most authentic ring-tail mold for Sharps carbine?

[OregonBill]

Wondering who currently makes a ring-tail mold for the 1859 Sharps carbines that comes closest to original weight and configuration. John McCauley says it should be about 450 grains.
Thinking about adding a Pedersoli to the stable -- with an appropriate makeover by Mr. Hahn.

[ms3635v]

If you have access to Dean Thomas's excellent reference books, "Roundball to Rim Fire", especially volume 2 starting on page 191, you will see several variations of the Sharps ringtail. Most notably the bullet bearing #481 looks very similar to the Lyman Ringtail that was available some time ago as a production mould. Number 481 is .52 caliber that weighs 516 grains and has a diameter of .570" and an overall length (cartridge included) of 2.77". You should also look at the McKee and Mason book on Civil Bullets. There are many variants of the ringtails in various diameters. I have a Lyman Sharps ringtail mould and the bullet shoots very well, but I have switched to a Moose Mould .544" and weighs 455 grains as it also shoots very well and fits the chamber and bore of my Shiloh Sharps very well.

[OregonBill]

Mike, I really appreciate your reply. I don't have either of the references you cite, so your advice is most welcome. I wonder how the chambers of the Shiloh and Pedersoli compare.

[Francis J. Miller Jr, 02601]

OregonBill, if you are going to be getting or got a Pedersoli Sharps Carbine, Pedersoli also has and sells the Sharps Christmas Tree Style Ringtail bullet mould for their carbines.

[Maillemaker]

I don't have either of the references you cite, so your advice is most welcome.

As an aside here, I have been getting many hard-to-find and expensive Civil War ammunition books like the above through inter-library loan. There is usually a $3 fee for the book. Then you can scan or photograph any pertinent pieces you want to keep.

Steve

[Charlie Hahn]

The Moose 544-475 is close to some of the original bullets in this way, the driving band is twice as wide as most which helps sealing during the in bore ride. Also the 544 diameter works well with most groove depths and has minimum push over in the ring tail area that minimized paddling and bullet climb out.

The chamber of a stock Shiloh has no sleeve, and the back of the barrel has a throat as well as the forcing cone angles.

The Pedersoli has a sleeve that usually gets stuck when shot, also it is a free fit when clean and is usually not fit correct from the factory to give you a tight fit between the breech face and the block seal plate. The chamber usually has a misfit forward of the sleeve, and has only a forcing cone. The current production units are closer in fit and geometry, the older units have varied cone angles and the depth also varies from the factory.

Charlie Hahn

[OregonBill]

Thanks Charlie. I'll be sending the new Pedersoli to you for a dose of your magic once I have it in hand. Meantime I will get in line at Moose Molds.