original 1863 minie

[l.cutler]

I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on what style of minie works well in an original 1863 Springfield with somewhere near original service powder charge? I have an 1864 dated example that has been somewhat abused externally but has an excellent bore that measures out at .576 and would like to find an accurate load. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Do you want an accurate load or a mine that will shoot a service charge accurately??
You solved the biggest hurdle, sizing the bore. You could buy some .575 bullets from Paul Weber or CW bulletman to try a full size minie or a Hodgdon or a wad utter and then try various powder charges. How accurate do you want? MOA? It can be done

Regards

[John Bly]

For a load close to the original one shoot the Lyman 575213OS (Old Style) with 60 grains of FFG black powder. For an accurate load try the 575213 new style with 45 grains of FFG black powder. There may not be much difference.

[l.cutler]

Thanks, my thoughts are to hunt deer with it, so wanting enough power and accuracy to do so humanely. If I can't get god enough results, then it will be target shooting only.

[Carolina Reb]

How far are you shooting? In the east ranges tend to be short. The Hodgden (a.k.a. N-SSA Bullet) semi-waducutter with 42 grains of Swiss FFF will be running in the 950 fps range from a full length '63, and will shoot 1 hole groups in a good musket. That's plenty for deer out to 100 yards. Past that it starts dropping pretty quickly and the New Style would be better.

[l.cutler]

Definitely not over 100 yards, thanks!

[ms3635v]

I used to shoot my original Trenton contract rifle musket (retired it from shooting). The bullet that gave me the best accuracy seemed to be the Lyman Old Style minie with 45 grains of 3F. I now shoot a two band Springfield with a Whitacre barrel and a Moose old style mine with 40 grains of powder. Bore size is .577" and I size to .576". The other bullet that shoots extremely well is the Moose Wilkinson bullet.

[Muley Gil]

Check your game laws. Some states require a minimum bore size and/or powder charge.

[l.cutler]

Thanks everyone, I do have access to a Lyman old style minie mould, will give it a try. Thanks again!