Hello! And musket question

[Spunk Puppy]

Hello everyone! This is my first post. I am not a reenactor at present, but am greatly interested in U.S. Civil War era firearms as a target shooter and firearm's enthusiast in general. I own an Uberti 1851 Navy and a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry M1807 .54 caliber percussion conversion smoothbore horse pistol, which is currently my favorite gun.

However, I do not yet own a muzzleloading long arm of any kind!

I very much would like to add a reproduction rifle musket to my collection, for the purposes or target shooting and casual shooting (plinking) as well.

Despite not being a reenactor, I am greatly concerned with historical accuracy and would like my repro to be as accurate as possible in design to the originals. After research, I have decided on one of two guns, both made by Davide Pedersoli. These would be either their Springfield M1861 rifle musket, or their new Pattern 1853 Enfield "3-band" rifle.

I simply am having a very hard time deciding between the two, so I believe that I will go with whichever model is most close to the original in design. If anyone on this site knows which of these two gun are most like the original model, I would love to hear the details.

Thank you all so much for having me, and I look forward to learning from you all. I have read many threads throughout the months and years, and decided it was time for me to join in on the discussion. Thanks so much everyone!

-Spunk Puppy

 

[Stony]

Welcome.

 

[chellers]

Welcome from East Texas.

I'm going to transfer your thread to the appropriate forum.

 

[Kipling]

Hello everyone! This is my first post. I am not a reenactor at present, but am greatly interested in U.S. Civil War era firearms as a target shooter and firearm's enthusiast in general. I own an Uberti 1851 Navy and a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry M1807 .54 caliber percussion conversion smoothbore horse pistol, which is currently my favorite gun.

However, I do not yet own a muzzleloading long arm of any kind!

I very much would like to add a reproduction rifle musket to my collection, for the purposes or target shooting and casual shooting (plinking) as well.

Despite not being a reenactor, I am greatly concerned with historical accuracy and would like my repro to be as accurate as possible in design to the originals. After research, I have decided on one of two guns, both made by Davide Pedersoli. These would be either their Springfield M1861 rifle musket, or their new Pattern 1853 Enfield "3-band" rifle.

I simply am having a very hard time deciding between the two, so I believe that I will go with whichever model is most close to the original in design. If anyone on this site knows which of these two gun are most like the original model, I would love to hear the details.

Thank you all so much for having me, and I look forward to learning from you all. I have read many threads throughout the months and years, and decided it was time for me to join in on the discussion. Thanks so much everyone!

-Spunk Puppy

 

[Kipling]

Welcome! I am not a reenactor either but I do have a few CW firearms and some modern black powder ones. I know someone will answer your question but I do recommend a superb book on the subject: "The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy - Lock, Stock and Barrel". The author, Craig Barry is a member of this forum and may well post a re

 

[Tin cup]

Hello everyone! This is my first post. I am not a reenactor at present, but am greatly interested in U.S. Civil War era firearms as a target shooter and firearm's enthusiast in general. I own an Uberti 1851 Navy and a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry M1807 .54 caliber percussion conversion smoothbore horse pistol, which is currently my favorite gun.

However, I do not yet own a muzzleloading long arm of any kind!

I very much would like to add a reproduction rifle musket to my collection, for the purposes or target shooting and casual shooting (plinking) as well.

Despite not being a reenactor, I am greatly concerned with historical accuracy and would like my repro to be as accurate as possible in design to the originals. After research, I have decided on one of two guns, both made by Davide Pedersoli. These would be either their Springfield M1861 rifle musket, or their new Pattern 1853 Enfield "3-band" rifle.

I simply am having a very hard time deciding between the two, so I believe that I will go with whichever model is most close to the original in design. If anyone on this site knows which of these two gun are most like the original model, I would love to hear the details.

Thank you all so much for having me, and I look forward to learning from you all. I have read many threads throughout the months and years, and decided it was time for me to join in on the discussion. Thanks so much everyone!

-Spunk Puppy

Well, it's a matter of which one you like (appearance) the most! The Enfield was heavily used by BOTH sides, you would have that significance to back your choice, the 61 Springfield was well supplied to the Confederate forces thru captures.

I have heard great things of the newer Pedersoli repro's, either one you should be proud to own. You have available to you folk who can supply you with info on how to make Yank, or Confederate/British import cartridges/arsenal packs, to shoot live if you want. There are books on both weapons to fill you in on their history.

Careful, though...you can REALLY get yourself hooked on history with either weapon!

Kevin Dally

 

[Spunk Puppy]

Well, it's a matter of which one you like (appearance) the most! The Enfield was heavily used by BOTH sides, you would have that significance to back your choice, the 61 Springfield was well supplied to the Confederate forces thru captures.

I have heard great things of the newer Pedersoli repro's, either one you should be proud to own. You have available to you folk who can supply you with info on how to make Yank, or Confederate/British import cartridges/arsenal packs, to shoot live if you want. There are books on both weapons to fill you in on their history.

Careful, though...you can REALLY get yourself hooked on history with either weapon!

Kevin Dally

Indeed! I am currently reading The Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle by Peter Smithurst. It's quite interesting, and I'm trying to learn as much information as I can. I have tried looking for books on the 1861 Springfield rifle with no luck.

I do believe that I'll go with whichever one is most authentic. I've been trying to make this decision for many weeks now, and just can't come to a conclusion!

 

[Tin cup]

Indeed! I am currently reading The Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle by Peter Smithurst. It's quite interesting, and I'm trying to learn as much information as I can. I have tried looking for books on the 1861 Springfield rifle with no luck.

I do believe that I'll go with whichever one is most authentic. I've been trying to make this decision for many weeks now, and just can't come to a conclusion!

I have this book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H7LFDW/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Kevin Dally

 

[Tin cup]

I do believe that I'll go with whichever one is most authentic. I've been trying to make this decision for many weeks now, and just can't come to a conclusion!

One thing to note: The Enfield's percussion nipple/cone flash hole directs the percussion cap's fire directly into the chamber of the barrel. This is beneficial if blank loads are fired. The 61 Springfield's percussion nipple/cone flash hole makes a 90 degree turn into the barrel chamber...this can cause ignition problems when firing blank loads, but I have NEVER had that problem with LIVE loads in it.

One other thing to look at, most repro 61's hammers are not shaped very close to what the originals looked like. Not sure why, but they are misshaped. Those on repro Enfields don't seem to have that problem. I had to re-work the hammer on my Armi 61 just to get it to look close to the originals!

Kevin Dally

 

[Spunk Puppy]

For now, it will be "live loads only" at the target range or in the creek roaming about.

 

[Tin cup]

For now, it will be "live loads only" at the target range or in the creek roaming about.

OK, one important fact you need to know...You need to slug the bore of your rifle, to know it's bore diameter. Then you need to get bullets (minnies) that are 1-2 thousandth's UNDER that bore size. Trying to get a .575" diameter minnie to shoot accurately thru a .581" size bore is not likely going to work! My Armi 61 has a .581" bore, so I can take my .580" Minnie straight from the mold, lube it, and load it without a problem. My Euroarms Enfield bore is around .579", so I size that same .580" minnie down to .578", or .577" and they shoot just fine in it.

The reason is that the repro bores are not progressive-depth bored/rifled like the originals. The groove depth at the muzzle is about 5 thousandth's deep, going down to around 14 thousandth's of an inch deep at the BREECH end. The repro's are shallow/same depth all the way thru. It make a big difference on how well they shoot a loose, or close fitting bullet.

Kevin Dally

 

[Spunk Puppy]

OK, one important fact you need to know...You need to slug the bore of your rifle, to know it's bore diameter. Then you need to get bullets (minnies) that are 1-2 thousandth's UNDER that bore size. Trying to get a .575" diameter minnie to shoot accurately thru a .581" size bore is not likely going to work! My Armi 61 has a .581" bore, so I can take my .580" Minnie straight from the mold, lube it, and load it without a problem. My Euroarms Enfield bore is around .579", so I size that same .580" minnie down to .578", or .577" and they shoot just fine in it.

The reason is that the repro bores are not progressive-depth bored/rifled like the originals. The groove depth at the muzzle is about 5 thousandth's deep, going down to around 14 thousandth's of an inch deep at the BREECH end. The repro's are shallow/same depth all the way thru. It make a big difference on how well they shoot a loose, or close fitting bullet.

Kevin Dally

Yes, I am aware of this. I've read about needing to slug the bores on these guns, and that Minies may need to be resized etc. for optimum accuracy. I am going to take up casting these as commercial ones are terribly expensive. If my math is correct, I will be able to cast my own Minies for about 1/3 the cost of store bought ones.

 

[Ferris41st]

More info on "slugging the bore"?

 

[Spunk Puppy]

More info on "slugging the bore"?

You can easily find how to do this with a Google search.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Thank you all so much for having me, and I look forward to learning from you all. I have read many threads throughout the months and years, and decided it was time for me to join in on the discussion. Thanks so much everyone!
-Spunk Puppy

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

We're glad you finally decided to join us !

 

[Spunk Puppy]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

We're glad you finally decided to join us !

Glad to be here! I have much to learn, and I figured this is the right place!

 

[ole]

Glad to be here! I have much to learn, and I figured this is the right place!

It is the right place, Spunk Puppy, but do hang in here to learn some more from those who know. Loading a .38 or .45 is not the same as stuffing a round down your muzzle-loader.

I don't do that, but it seems to be an art and you would be well-advised to listen. Carefully.

Some of these guys have been shooting black powder for a lot of years. If you have a question, just ask. Black powder is not just something you dink around with. It is dangerous. Use it with knowledge and it isn't. Screw up one time and you can lose a hand, or an eye, or both eyes.

Bottom line: ask.

 

[MRB1863]

Hello and welcome from 35 miles north of Gettysburg!

 

[johan_steele]

CWT gun****.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/original-acw-arms.75615/

 

[johan_steele]

My go to supplier for ACW era arms and parts.

http://www.lodgewood.com/