Yuku free message boards

A very nice pick up!  I see they have the correct bands for a CW period M1853, for 2nd or 3rd model.  Many repros have/had the incorrect 4th model bands.  looks like a correct front sling swivel anyway.  Can't make out the rear one well enough to tell.  The brass parts on the opposite side of the lock should have squared ends. Many repros have rounded.

These bands are original.



The "JG" have no proper place on a model 1853 (this is a PH 1st model) but are my initials obviously placed where most folks would take no notice.  Made it easy to identify in a reenactors camp should somebody be too sure they had picked up 'their' rifle.  For the record, I never had that problem.

I have that same sling. However, in reality, muskets with slings show up in period photographs only very rarely. 

For hunting, I used a commercially made swaged bullet.  Swaging, for those unfamiliar involves forcing lead wire into a mold with high pressure.  This forces the lead to fill the the mold cavity fully and completely every time guaranteeing bullets uniform in diameter and weight.  It had a checkered pattern around the flat for grease and was hollow point. I believe in this particular the hollow was for adjusting the center of gravity rather than any concern for expansion.  The bullet dia. was .575." For hunting, I used 90gr of fffg (yes, 3fg) black powder. I have never used any of the artificial powders and thus cannot make any observations of performance with them.

For regular target shooting, I used 65 grains of ffg (2fg) black powder.  That was a compromise as I could not make up my mind for either 60 or 70.  Performance was about equal.  Going over 70grains with ffg began blowing unburnt powder with the shot.  At 80 yards (the max limit of my backyard range at the time) I could consistently hold 6" offhand and kneeling with the majority of shots, call it... 70% within 4."  I did not bench shoot it except to sight in.  off the bench it was good, maybe it was better to say I was only good for, 2-3."  Under 60-70 yards lofting of the bullet path was significant.  I had to hold as much as 8" under the target at 50 yds.

Now, for the record, this was some 20 years ago so some specifics may be suspect.  Memory will have it's foibles.  That particular brand of bullets is no longer made but I imagine others may still be.  Careful casting will produce good bullets but there is always a chance for hidden faults.  Shooting many will give an idea of reliability.  I will have to double check my bore diameter but I believe it is true at .577 making the .575 ball a good fit.  There is a corner of my mind that wants to say my swaged bullets were actually .577".  I believe, I may just have a bullet or two of those left and will see if I can find them. No guarantees.  I have some cast bullets I purchased from a member here but have not got around to shooting any yet.  They seem well made and consistent and others who have used them speak well of them.
Another thought is the detail of the rifling.  My grooves are not cut so wide as the Armi sport and like the originals tapered in depth along the length of the bore till there was little at the muzzle.

That's all I can offer for now.  I'll see if I can update some of this by shooting it.  But don't expect any usable accuracy reports. I just can't shoot like I used to. Arthritis, cataracts and all that sort of thing don't you know.

Howdy Cujo!  I haven't gotten around to shooting any of yours yet but, I have rolled some 20-30 cartridges.  I'll burn some powder yet!