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Thread: Musket questions

  1. #1
    glenhunter's Avatar
    glenhunter is offline
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    Musket questions

    Hello;
    First I'd like to ask if any of you own and use more than one musket for competition? Second, if you represent a southern regiment, do you use an Enfield rifled musket to be more period correct or does it not matter in the long run and just accuracy and comfort is primary? Thank you for any and all responses.
    Steve

  2. #2
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    Musket questions

    Hello Steve, I have a Colt and a Springfield rifled musket reproduction. No period correctness needed. Many have collected (several) originals, repros, and have built their own weapons over the years. Some individuals will rotate their stock throughout the year, shooting them at different events. Black-powder muzzleloading is an addiction whereas individuals like the competition, improving the performance, tinkering with, or collecting and selling these items. The N-SSA is a competitive shooting association and not an reenactment organization however, many members do participate in both opportunities. Countless members have joined both sides of the blue and gray over the years, so the weapon does not have to be correct...just accurate!

    I must say...it is hard to shoot a musket and reload on horseback...my horse does not like where I stick the ramrod!

    Are you looking to join?

    Keith A. Williams
    15th. Reg VA Vol Cav - "The only cavalry unit within the NWT."

  3. #3
    Muley Gil is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by glenhunter View Post
    Hello;
    First I'd like to ask if any of you own and use more than one musket for competition? Second, if you represent a southern regiment, do you use an Enfield rifled musket to be more period correct or does it not matter in the long run and just accuracy and comfort is primary? Thank you for any and all responses.
    Steve
    The South picked up quite a few Springfields during the War.

    Most skirmishers use the arm that they shoot the best!
    Last edited by Muley Gil; 08-11-2024 at 07:21 AM.
    Gil Davis Tercenio
    # 3020V
    34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
    Great, great grandson of Cpl Elijah S Davis, Co I, 6th Alabama Inf CSA

  4. #4
    Harry Gaul's Avatar
    Harry Gaul is offline
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    muskets for competition

    I have three two banders that I use in competition., all Springfields. They are what skirmishers call "Frankenstein" muskets. They are a mixture of original and repro parts. It is my humble opinion that a good barrel and well-tuned lock is all that really matters. If they go bang and break clay pigeons, I use them on a rotating basis. They are not pretty, but they get the job done.

    In the off season, I use one of them for deer hunting. Every deer that has gone down during the season does not really care if the musket is pretty or battle hardened.

    Powder first and bullet second and ram home.

    Harry in Pa.
    Forney's
    03626v

  5. #5
    glenhunter's Avatar
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    Musket questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Keith Williams View Post
    Hello Steve, I have a Colt and a Springfield rifled musket reproduction. No period correctness needed. Many have collected (several) originals, repros, and have built their own weapons over the years. Some individuals will rotate their stock throughout the year, shooting them at different events. Black-powder muzzleloading is an addiction whereas individuals like the competition, improving the performance, tinkering with, or collecting and selling these items. The N-SSA is a competitive shooting association and not an reenactment organization however, many members do participate in both opportunities. Countless members have joined both sides of the blue and gray over the years, so the weapon does not have to be correct...just accurate!

    I must say...it is hard to shoot a musket and reload on horseback...my horse does not like where I stick the ramrod!

    Are you looking to join?

    Keith A. Williams
    15th. Reg VA Vol Cav - "The only cavalry unit within the NWT."
    Keith;
    Thank you for your response and yes, I'm looking to join in 2025 as I'll be living in south central Pennsylvania and would welcome joining a regiment. I'll be an hour from Winchester. Thanks again
    Steve

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    Musket questions

    Steve, as an additive I forgot to mention...wife and children of competitors will also use the varying collections in competition.

    I will not be surprised if someone contacts you about joining a team in PA.

    Good luck.

    Keith A. Williams
    15th. Reg VA Vol Cav

    The day of the cavalry has passed but the dedication, valor, cunning and spirit of that service will live forever. How the color yellow ever became associated with cowardice is vague; it certainly came not from the cavalry "Yellowlegs." - Richard Mann - The Cavalry - S.L. May-June 1976



  7. #7
    DWalter1022V is offline
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    Pennsylvania Teams

    Steve, when you get settled in Pa. give me a shout, I am Allegheny Region commander, and I can connect you with a team that will be a good fit. I sent you a PM with my contact info.

    Doug

  8. #8
    Harry Gaul's Avatar
    Harry Gaul is offline
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    South Central Pa region.

    Steve,

    Welcome to PA. If South Central Pa is your new living place and one hour from Winchester, you are probably on the Pa/Md border. A good fit might be the Potomac Region. I am in the Southern end of the Middle Atlantic, and I am 3 plus hours from Winchester. Most of the Middle Atlantic Region teams are in New Jersey (North and South) and suburban Philadelphia. There are two teams in Lancaster County, and they are both Union. Welcome to the NSSA and be safe and have fun and bring the family!

    Harry in Pa.
    Forney's
    03626v

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    Quote Originally Posted by glenhunter View Post
    Hello;
    First I'd like to ask if any of you own and use more than one musket for competition? Second, if you represent a southern regiment, do you use an Enfield rifled musket to be more period correct or does it not matter in the long run and just accuracy and comfort is primary? Thank you for any and all responses.
    Steve
    Like Lay's potato chips, you can't have just one!

    Unless your team has some kind of requirement, all that is required is that your arm meet N-SSA rules requirements. For example, I have heard that some teams disallow the use of a 3-band musket in favor of a 2-band musket, for speed in loading reasons.

    I personally own 3 .58 muskets - a Pedersoli P58, Euroarms P53 with Whitacre barrel, and a Colt Special 2-band "fantasy" (but N-SSA approved). I shoot the P53 in competition. I've got a few Sharps and a Smith carbine, but I have gone back to my Richmond Carbine for competition.

    In the end, it's just personal preference. Historical accuracy does not matter, as long as the gun meets the regulations.
    Steve Sheldon
    Commander
    4th Louisiana Delta Rifles
    NRA Certified Muzzleloading Instructor

  10. #10
    Muley Gil is offline
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    My team discourages the use of Zouaves, as they weren't used during the War.
    Gil Davis Tercenio
    # 3020V
    34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
    Great, great grandson of Cpl Elijah S Davis, Co I, 6th Alabama Inf CSA

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