.69 caliber bullet/charge

[B-Davis]

I have just purchased an original 1842 smoothbore (dated 1845) and I have just ordered a .69 caliber rifled barrel from Dan Whitacre. Has anybody or does anybody currently shoot one of these barrels?
I am looking for a starting powder charge and any advice on shooting one of these. I have a rapine .685 mould and a Lyman mould for it, any recomendations on loads? Any idea on sighting?
I would also like to shoot the smoothbore barrel too. I know that I need to get the bore mic'd, but any ball park ideas for powder charge? Also, how about lube? Should I dip thrice, or alox?
Thanks for any advice! http://www.n-ssa.org/vbforum/images/icons/icon6.png

Bryan Davis

[gemmer]

I'd shy away from the Lyman. Way too much recoil. I shoot the Rapine in my Hoyt relines and my Whitacre. All have .687 bores. 50 gr of Goex 3F works well for paper.

Duane

[matt]

I used to shoot a whitacre 42 rifled barrel with 60 grains of 2f and the rapine .685 semi wadcutter. Biggest thing is to shim your front barrel band as that is where the sight is any movement will throw you all over the place.
Matt

[matt]

Bryan,
Pm responded to.
Matt

[Tom Shedd 5406v]

If you plan on using this at a skirmish, only round balls can be used......