WTB Moose Wilkerson .542 mould

[spadegrip]

Looking for the above mould, or some of the bullets to try in my Lorenz.
Thanks.

[moosette]

You can certainly place an order for our Wilkinson 542-415. Single Cavity is $100, Double Cavity is $125 plus S&H to your area. Feel free to send a PM or email me at: moosette@moosemoulds.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Moosette

[spadegrip]

Moosette,
Does Moose moulds sell bullets to try before ordering a mould?

[Don Dixon]

Spadegrip,

Do you need a Lorenz/Wilkinson mould for an original System Lorenz rifle, or a reproduction, or an original with a relined bore?

If it is for an original, there is a problem with both the Moose moulds and the ones that Greg Edington had Lee manufacture. The Austro-Hungarian Army (k.k. Army) ordnance standard for the bore of the System Lorenz arms was 13.9 mm/.547-8 inches, with some bores being larger. (Then there were the arms the Federals bored out to .577 to .600 inches.) While the k.k.Army swagged their bullets to .540 inches, they also wrapped them with a greased paper patch to take up the windage. It was a very effective system. We aren't permitted to use paper patches in the N-SSA, so both the Moose and Edington bullets will be At LEAST .005 - .007 inches under size in an original bore.

At this point, no one makes a .548 inch mould designed for a naked Lorenz/Wilkinson bullet to be used in an original System Lorenz rifle with the k.k. Army standard bore. If you intend to shoot a fully original rifle, the .548 Minie that Pedersoli manufactures for their Model 1857 "Mauser" rifle works pretty well.

Regards,
Don Dixon
2881V

[spadegrip]

Yes, it is an original rifle and barrel. The bore mikes .544, and the groove diameter is .562. I was thinking of using the .542 Moose mould.

[moosette]

We don't sell bullets - only the moulds.

Many skirmishers have purchased the .542 Wilkinson and have had great results (feel free to do a search on this forum). This mould is one of our top sellers!

Perhaps you could pose that question to fellow teammates/skirmishers...

Moosette

[spadegrip]

Thanks Moosette

[Lou Lou Lou]

Moosette
Sent you a PM.

[Don Dixon]

Moosette,

I'm not questioning Ritter von Lorenz's bullet design. The Lorenz/Wilkinson is an exceptionally good bullet. It casts much better than the Minnie, and is extremely accurate when prepared and loaded correctly. However, when it is not paper patched it performs best when sized no more than .001-.002 inches under bore diameter. I use .54 and .58 "Wilkinson" bullets in my .58 Richmond carbine, my .577 Parker Hale Enfield, and my .54 Lorenz Jaeger reproduction, and have been very successful with all of them in N-SSA competition.

Nor, am I questioning the quality of your moulds.

The original System Lorenz rifles were, however, essentially .55 caliber weapons, with a nominal bore diameter of 13.9 mm/.547-8 inches. Until someone makes a mould designed to cast .548-.550 inch Lorenz/Wilkinson bullets -- which I suggested to both Greg and you -- I don't believe that the full accuracy capability of the original rifles can be obtained. Since I have a collection of original System Lorenz weapons, I anxiously await that day.

Regards,
Don Dixon
2881V

[Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101]

Here's a 50 yard five-shot group from a bench out of a .540 bore M1854 Lorenz using an Edington Wilkinson bullet sized to .539. I had a whole series of bullets and powder loads that were measured and weighed to the nth degree, ready to find the correct load for this particular gun. I shot this group first using what I consider a 'practice grade' ammo that I had loaded for one of my other Lorenzes.

Since my aging eyes can't see any better than this, I quit and called it good.

Your results may vary, but I'm sold on Wilkinson bullets.