Loads for 1861 Springfield with .577 Whitacre Barrel Load Suggestions

[rcbloom2]

10709 This is my luck so far at 50 yards, Lyman 575213 Wadcutter with 45 grains of 3Fg. Anyone have loads that have worked for them with similar configuration.

[Carolina Reb]

Springfield M1863 Type 1, Whitacre barrel, Hodgden Bullet, 42 gr Swiss FFF.

[gemmer]

Original 1841, .58cal. Hoyt reline. 40gr 3F GOEX, Hodgdon bullet. Lower group @ 25yds. Upper group @ 50yds.

[rcbloom2]

Springfield M1863 Type 1, Whitacre barrel, Hodgden Bullet, 42 gr Swiss FFF.

I have to weigh out different charges. Been to the range everyday this week.

[Muley Gil]

Try dropping down to 42 grains and also try going up to 48 grains.

Are you sizing the Minies to .576? My 2 band P-H does fine with the exact combination you are using.

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

I got good groups with my DGW (Miroku) M1861 Springfield (1:72 twist, barrel fully bedded) using a Rapine old style Minie (.580 unsized, 470 grains) with 46.0g GOEX FFFg. Not sure what the twist rate is on Whitacre barrels. Twists faster than 1:72 tend to like heavier bullets although there are exceptions. Light wadcutters can be sensitive to wind. You should be able to get better groups off the bench if using soft lead, a bullet that is within .002" of bore diameter, and you don't have any bedding problems.

Jim Burgess, 15CVI

[Carolina Reb]

Jim, Whitacre barrels use the original rifling, 3 groove 1 in 72 progressive depth. Loads that work in original Springfields usually shoot just as well in Whitacre barrels.

Here's an exception to the fast twist rule, my Hoyt sleeved P-56 Type 2 rifle, 5 groove progressive depth 1 in 48, really likes the Hodgden 420 grain over 39 grains of Swiss FFF. It also shoots the Lyman Old Style over 46 gr. of Swiss FFF quite well.

[Maillemaker]

I could not get my Pedersoli P58 with 1:48 to shoot the Hodgdon bullet well. Got keyholes. Same with the 420 grain Moose Wilkinson. Came to the conclusion that you need a heavier bullet. But, I know some people do it somehow.

Steve

[marv762]

47 grains of 2 f goex with the rcbs hogden bullet sized 575. also use a lyman 510 grain bullet from 48-50 grains. use that bullet in 6 guns. good luck

[rcbloom2]

47 grains of 2 f goex with the rcbs hogden bullet sized 575. also use a lyman 510 grain bullet from 48-50 grains. use that bullet in 6 guns. good luck

I have the Hodgdon bullet sized to .575. I will give it a try. What is the Lyman 510 grain 575213?

[ms3635v]

I have been using Whitacre barrels for many years. My current skirmish rifle is a 33" Whitacre barrel in .577". It shoots tight groups with the Moose Wilkinson and 40 grains of GOEX 3F. It also shoots a Rapine 315 grain semi-wadcutter with 42 grains of GOEX 3F. Bullets sized to .5765". Essentially when I stick the bullet in the muzzle it stays there until I put the ramrod on it and send it down the barrel. If I can find a picture of one of my targets shot with the Wilkins, I will post it.

[rcbloom2]

Upper left 45 grains, upper right, 50 grains, lower left 45 grains, lower right 50 grains. Looks like 50 grains 2Fg is the starting point to even smaller groups.

[Michael Bodner]

Hodgdon bullets need higher charges because of thicker skirts. Throws occasional flyers at lower charge levels...


QUOTE=Maillemaker;86513]I could not get my Pedersoli P58 with 1:48 to shoot the Hodgdon bullet well. Got keyholes. Same with the 420 grain Moose Wilkinson. Came to the conclusion that you need a heavier bullet. But, I know some people do it somehow.

Steve[/QUOTE]

[PoorJack]

Hodgdon bullets need higher charges because of thicker skirts. Throws occasional flyers at lower charge levels...


That would be true if you don't use the taller base plug that also thins the skirts a bit. As purchased from RCBS, the base plug will require a larger charge. Here's a group from my PH musketoon with Whitacre barrel. This gun likes the RCBS Hogdon with the larger base plug and will also shoot the Lee version of the trashcan to a smaller group size than this at 50yd. I've also started some experiments with the Moose Intl minie with very good initial results that should rival anything I've gotten thus far.


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