Moose Moulds .54 Caliber Wilkinson

[ms3635v]

Today, I took my .54 caliber Euroarms Mississippi rifle that has been in my safe since I bought it 3 years ago to the range to try the .542" Wilkinson mould that Moose made for me. I loaded some rounds using 40 grains of 3f GOEX, lubed them MCM lube and made the trip to the range. I decided to shoot for group size, realizing there would be some sight correction issues. So, attached is the first 5 shot group from the rifle. The .542" fit the bore perfectly.

[iron brigade]

what is the bore size? are you sizing the bullets? looks like its working for you.

[ms3635v]

The bore size is .543", which I have found is larger than many other Mississippi's being used. It seems that many bore sizes range from .536" to .538". I am not sizing them, I am shooting them as they come from the mould. I cast about 200 the other day and randomly selected 100 and they all measured dead on at .542" using good soft lead.

[danajhanson]

Some of the variation you see reported in bore size may be due to folks re-lining their barrels? Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the un-lined (stock) Euroarms .54 Mississippi barrels are .543. I had Bobby Hoyt reline mine, and I think it now measures .536.

How important is the powder charge when trying to get this Wilkinson bullet to group? You used 40GN, but is a highter or lower charge better or worse? How much playing around have you done?

[Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101]

I shoot Wilkinson .54's made from the molds from Greg Edington out of my relined Lorenz barrels. Here's my results from varying the powder charges:

http://acwsa.org/images/MiscImages/54%20Cal%20Lorenz%20Wilkinson%20Bullet%20Large%20W eb%20view.jpg

These are all using FFFg GOEX, from a bench at 50 yards with open sights.

[ms3635v]

Hey Dana. I have not tried any other powder charges than 40 grains yet. I remember seeing a post not too long ago where one shooter was experiencing good results with 38 grains. I have to finish working on my front sight before I make another trip to the range. On the next trip, I will try different powder charges to see if the group changes. As other Wilkinson shooters have correctly advised me, fit is everything and they were absolutely correct. I also lubed only the bases, using care not to get the lube in the groove between the base and the nose. The clean-up after shooting was minimal, so overall, I am very pleased with the Wilkinson to this point. As you can see by the added photo, shots 3,4 and 5, measure at the point between shots 3 and 4 is 1.25" center to center and the distance between shots 4 and 5 measure slightly less than .500"and shots 3 and 5 measure 1" center to center. Shots 1 and 2, I have no explanation for other than shooter error.

[iron brigade]

.542 is too large for my .535 relined bore:(

[ms3635v]

Moose Moulds makes Wilkinsons in .538", they can be sized to fit.

[moosette]

Yes, our .538-430 can be sized down for you - without comprimising the bullet!

Thanks for sharing your results Mike! Keep us posted on the different powder charges.

Moosette