1864 Springfield

[captaindrew]

I'd use the real thing, not a fan of Pyrodex, it's made more for modern muzzleloaders. You won't find Goex, it's been out of production for a couple years now but supposedly coming back in the near future (not holding my breath). You can get Schutzen and Swiss, use 2F or 3F. Try Back Creek Gun Shop out of Winchester https://www.blackpowderva.com/

 

[CWV]

I'd use the real thing, not a fan of Pyrodex, it's made more for modern muzzleloaders. You won't find Goex, it's been out of production for a couple years now but supposedly coming back in the near future (not holding my breath). You can get Schutzen and Swiss, use 2F or 3F. Try Back Creek Gun Shop out of Winchester https://www.blackpowderva.com/

Excellent….sincerely appreciate the solid intel. I'll post an 'after action' once all the pieces are assembled. Thx again.

 

[johan_steele]

Excellent….sincerely appreciate the solid intel. I'll post an 'after action' once all the pieces are assembled. Thx again.

You really don't want to use Pyrodex if you can help it. It's better firing live rounds than blanks But in live fire it lacks the accuracy and requires more time to clean.

I've never used it but have seen people make the mistake. Absolutely don't use it in metallic cartridges. Accuracy difference was abominable when compared to Goex or Swiss and in Metallic… I don't know what the issue was but there was one VERY ****** individual at a buffalo shoot because of it.

 

[johan_steele]

As an example of accuracy you should expect. My M1841 competition rifle was an M1841 Colt Alteration. Offhand, I could get a 25 rounds in a solid 5-7" group at 100 yards. Off the bench the group shrinks nicely.

65 grains 2F powder, 540 grain .5745 (IIRC) Burton bullet. Some people mixed powder as in both 2 & 3F with a lighter bullet etc. I found my best accuracy with heavy bullets.

I've watched some shooters do considerably better with similar.

A lot resides with powder, bullet, sights etc.

 

[CWV]

To All who have answered my Powder question.....I really do appreciate your responses....here is my dilemma...I contacted black powder in VA, she was very helpful...with the following exceptions.... she would only ship a minimum of 5 lbs, + $48 Hazmat, + $ shipping for wieght (?), plus $32 per pound for the powder....+ 4% CC fee....all in, since I already have 2 lbs of the Pyrodex...for a total of $50...and since I will not be entering any competitions once I determine this rifle is safe, clean and 'fires'....I guess I'll stick with Pyrodex....for now...however; if I decide to take this to rifle to another level, I will invest in the powder you folks have suggested....once I light the fire, I'll reply again...PS...I have also purchased 'round ball' (Hornady .570 with prelubed shooting patches) and 'Minie ball' (.575) bullets....along with Muzzle-Loaders Schuetzen - 4 Wing Musket Caps. So, stand by....

 

[johan_steele]

To All who have answered my Powder question.....I really do appreciate your responses....here is my dilemma...I contacted black powder in VA, she was very helpful...with the following exceptions.... she would only ship a minimum of 5 lbs, + $48 Hazmat, + $ shipping for wieght (?), plus $32 per pound for the powder....+ 4% CC fee....all in, since I already have 2 lbs of the Pyrodex...for a total of $50...and since I will not be entering any competitions once I determine this rifle is safe, clean and 'fires'....I guess I'll stick with Pyrodex....for now...however; if I decide to take this to rifle to another level, I will invest in the powder you folks have suggested....once I light the fire, I'll reply again...PS...I have also purchased 'round ball' (Hornady .570 with prelubed shooting patches) and 'Minie ball' (.575) bullets....along with Muzzle-Loaders Schuetzen - 4 Wing Musket Caps. So, stand by....

Don't expect any real accuracy with the round all plus you'll have consistent issues with keyholing the musket caps should work fine, I think, with pyrodex.

Cleaning… I'm told Pyrodex cleans differently that regular black powder though I don't k ow the particulars. Personally I clean with scalding water and wet patches on a range rod for after shooting and while shooting I use rubbing alcohol in a squirt bottle.

Make sure to use lube for your bullets. Better too much lube than not enough. I favor bore butter in the grease grooves and white lithium grease in the cavity which kept the fouling soft. Others have different recipes.

I made the mistake of skimping on lube just once and guaranteed that will never happen again.

 

[CWV]

Don't expect any real accuracy with the round all plus you'll have consistent issues with keyholing the musket caps should work fine, I think, with pyrodex.

Cleaning… I'm told Pyrodex cleans differently that regular black powder though I don't k ow the particulars. Personally I clean with scalding water and wet patches on a range rod for after shooting and while shooting I use rubbing alcohol in a squirt bottle.

Make sure to use lube for your bullets. Better too much lube than not enough. I favor bore butter in the grease grooves and white lithium grease in the cavity which kept the fouling soft. Others have different recipes.

I made the mistake of skimping on lube just once and guaranteed that will never happen again.

Johan….your advice is well received and all is understood…..with the exception of the white lithium grease in the Minie bullet's cavity…(also, I only purchased the round balls to cross check accuracy, so thx for the footnote) 'keeping the fouling soft'….fouling being the ignited Pyro or black powder…? Also, with everything reassembled, is it acceptable pouring scalding water down the barrel to 'wash out' fouling…?…then treating the bore with butter pads afterwards….? I was successful in removing 99% of the rust (can't see in the center of the bore) from the bore as I found .58 cleaning bristles….and I'll treat / protect it between shoots….all these are excellent suggestions…thx again.

 

[CWV]

….finished….now waiting on the .575s….soon, very soon…and this beauty will sound the tune of freedom….

 

[CWV]

All....UPDATE....after full refurbishment, the 'live fire' of this beauty successfully occured on 14 June 23 and was brilliant...shot both .570 ball and .575 Minie at 35 yards...impact into paper was solid head shot...(the lower left three paper shot stickers were from a friends first attempt with his 1911) and steel plate target (3/16 or .1875)...with upper left impact (pic 4992) using .570 ball and lower right impact is with .575 Minie....deflection with Ball was serious (right side of pic 4993) with Minie slight deformation...powder load was 60 grams Pyrodex (for now). Considering this Musket Rifle had not knowningly been fired for at least +150 years, this success is a serious tribute to the craftsman at US Springfield....in 1863/1864....overall, I thank all of you for your professional input during this journey...keep safe out there.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

Good shootin' brother! Take her out to 100 yards {off a bench is allowed} to see what you get then.

 

[CWV]

Good shootin' brother! Take her out to 100 yards {off a bench is allowed} to see what you get then.

Greetings again....I trust all is well and that 2025 is off to a grand start for you. So if possible, my question is this...

I've had a very difficult time locating a reliable source for percussion caps, so yesterday at Sportsman Warehouse I finally found a small tin of Remington (versus CCI) #11 caps...but my original nipple end is to large to fit the #11...so I measured the treads per inch and they came out #24 TPI.....not 28. The diameter of the threaded portion is .312 with a shoulder-to-end dimension of .275. These are all US standard dimensions, not metric. Any suggestions of where I can locate a #11 nipple with 24 TPI...?