Loads for a .54 caliber Mississippi

[ms3635v]

I know have a NIB Euroarms Mississippi that I acquired at the spring nationals. Now it is time to sight it in and I have no idea where to begin regarding loads. I have two molds, one is a Lyman and the other is a Lee. I don not know which will produce the best results, so I would like to poll those individuals who are currently shooting .54's. What mold seems to work best and what would be a good starting powder charge ---I prefer to use Goex fffx. I look forward to any suggestions from .54 caliber shooters. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I have always wanted to shoot a .54, now is my chance and I would like to make the best out of the experience.

Thanks!

Mike Santarelli, Co. B, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, MA Region

[hp gregory, 9128]

i think you will find that a powder charge of 40 to 43 grns of 3f goex is what most are shooting. i would say the three most popular minies and bullets are the rapine 534400, the edington wilkinson bullet and the lyman minie. however i know that bobby elka is in the process of making up some of his cast iron 54 moulds. these are of the highest quality and are of a proven design. bobby placed second in the musket agg this spring using this exact bullet. lens lube or the equivilent will handle the lube chores. you will need to size the bullets so that they have a slide fit on a clean bore. not to tight and not to loose. i like for mine to scrape ever so slightly when loaded. this should get you in the ball park. you can fine tune from there.

hp gregory

[Tom Magno, 9269V]

I use the Edington Wilkinson, sized to a slip fit as HP described, over 42 grains 3F Goex. Shoots great.

[ms3635v]

Thanks for the help HP and Tom. I am looking froward to shooting this rifle!
Mike Santarelli, Co. B, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, MA

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

HP- Being from out west, I don't know Bobby Elka. I am, however, a .54 freak and so am very interested in trying yet another bullet. Can you tell me how I may contact Mr. Elka? I would like to know more about his moulds.

My .54 Mississippi rifles have all been distressingly individualistic. I had one that just loved the Edington picket bullet, but most do not. I have a Harpers Ferry with a Hoyt liner that is about perfect with the Rapine 534400 over 41 grains of Swiss 1.5fg, but this load is worthless in my other rifle, which seems to prefer about 40 grains of GOEX 3fg behind that bullet. That's what I love about this hobby: You never get entirely on top of it!

Jim Leinicke

[hp gregory, 9128]

jim bobby is the guy that has made a few of the realy high quality revolver loaders. he has a very very well equipped machine shop at his home and knows how to use it. you can email him at cosworth@rc.net
bobbys one of the good guys.
hp

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

Thanks, hp. I understand you also are one of the good guys.
Jim Leinicke

[Phil Spaugy, 3475V]

Most of my M1841's seem to really like the Rapine style bullet, with 40 to 45 grains of 3 F. I have also had good success with the Lyman .534 bullet.

All that said, its my humble opinion that you just can't beat the M1841 rifle, with all its different rear site variations as a skirmish rifle.

Phil

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

You said it, Phil: The Model '41 is the Rifleman's Rifle. It has no equal.
Jim

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

Speaking of the Rapine 534400 mould, I have one that casts only .530". Does anyone still lathe-cut these moulds out to a larger size? I need this to cast .539"-.540".

Jim Leinicke