New guy with ammo question.

[jordanka16]

I just bought a miroku 1863 springfield, cast up a bunch of bullets for it, and want to roll some paper cartridges for it. I've been following the directions here and elsewhere for dimensions, but I have a few questions. I'm wanting to do the m1855 style, and I got some masking paper for the outside, but what paper is best for the powder cylinder?

My plan is to make a bunch of them up and then store them so I have them whenever I want to go shooting. My normal BP lube is a mix of beeswax, crisco, and lanolin, but I'm curious what everyone recommends for a good lube that wont seep through the paper or into the powder in long term storage. They will be stored in a climate controlled environment at least.

Also, I would like to possibly do an N-SSA shoot one day, but from what i see they are all back east, and I live in Oregon, do they shoot any out here?

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. I'm guessing someone on here will be able to answer your questions

 

[WJC]

Welcome! Sorry, I can't answer your questions, but I have no doubt others will! Be sure to join in our discussions: new perspectives are always appreciated!

 

[redbob]

Welcome to the group from middle Alabama and one of our re enactors/black powder shooters should be along shortly to help you with your question.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum from South Florida. Sounds like you are already on the right track. Paging @Tin cup , he's the go to guy around here for making cartridges.

 

[Deleted User CS]

Welcome from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

 

[Tin cup]

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/58-caliber-cartridges.82560/#post-619053

Post number 3 I give instructions, here is the template size per regulations...

Kevin Dally

 

[jordanka16]

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/58-caliber-cartridges.82560/#post-619053

Post number 3 I give instructions, here is the template size per regulations...

Kevin Dally
View attachment 205985

Awesome, I missed that post in my searching, I will get some cardstock today. What about lube, am I overthinking it? I use 50% beeswax 40% crisco and 10% lanolin in my trapdoor, I'm just worried about it leeching into the paper over months.

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina.

 

[Tin cup]

Awesome, I missed that post in my searching, I will get some cardstock today. What about lube, am I overthinking it? I use 50% beeswax 40% crisco and 10% lanolin in my trapdoor, I'm just worried about it leeching into the paper over months.

I have had good luck with pure beeswax, mixed with olive oil. I mixed 50-50, but in the direct hot Texas sun, it was melting! So I went with 60 (beeswax) and 40 olive oil.

What's the diameter of the Minie's you are using?

Kevin Dally

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. I see our resident shooters have helped out. Let us know how everything works out and be sure to post photos of it firing.

 

[jordanka16]

I have had good luck with pure beeswax, mixed with olive oil. I mixed 50-50, but in the direct hot Texas sun, it was melting! So I went with 60 (beeswax) and 40 olive oil.

What's the diameter of the Minie's you are using?

Kevin Dally

I am using the lee minie, they cast at .576 and seem to be a good fit, although I have not fired it yet. I was trying to come up with a good way to slug it but I am coming up short.

If I can come up with the bore diameter my plan is to order a 2 cavity mold in the right size.

 

[UCVRelics]

I'm not a big shooter of black powder as in my younger days I preferred the "Heavy Metal" but I do have 2 words for you BENCH TEST BENCH TEST BENCH TEST actually thats 6 words.

 

[Tin cup]

I am using the lee minie, they cast at .576 and seem to be a good fit, although I have not fired it yet. I was trying to come up with a good way to slug it but I am coming up short.

If I can come up with the bore diameter my plan is to order a 2 cavity mold in the right size.

I wish I knew if your Miroko had progressive depth rifling, (per originals, OR Early Parker Hale repro's) or standard shallow groove rifling like other common (Pedersoli, ArmiSport, Euroarms) Reproductions.

On THOSE, you need a bullet 1-2 thousandth's of an inch UNDER your bore size. My Armi 61 has a bore of .581", I feed it with Rapine Old style Minies sized .580" (Rapine long out of business.) That same .580" Minie gets sized down to .578" for my Euroarms Enfield, .580" is too big for it's bore.

What are you using for a forming rod? I found (since I have no machining equipment) I could take a 1/2" wood dowel, wrap typing paper around it till I get whatever diameter I need to form cartridges. (See photos of a .69 forming rod I was developing.) I have one I formed up 15 years ago, still use it today!

Lee precision will not make their Minie a larger diameter, that can be sized DOWN, but this company has molds of varying sizes, worth a look...
http://moosemoulds.wixsite.com/mm2013/minnie-hb

Kevin Dally

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome.

 

[jordanka16]

I wish I knew if your Miroko had progressive depth rifling, (per originals, OR Early Parker Hale repro's) or standard shallow groove rifling like other common (Pedersoli, ArmiSport, Euroarms) Reproductions.

On THOSE, you need a bullet 1-2 thousandth's of an inch UNDER your bore size. My Armi 61 has a bore of .581", I feed it with Rapine Old style Minies sized .580" (Rapine long out of business.) That same .580" Minie gets sized down to .578" for my Euroarms Enfield, .580" is too big for it's bore.

What are you using for a forming rod? I found (since I have no machining equipment) I could take a 1/2" wood dowel, wrap typing paper around it till I get whatever diameter I need to form cartridges. (See photos of a .69 forming rod I was developing.) I have one I formed up 15 years ago, still use it today!

Lee precision will not make their Minie a larger diameter, that can be sized DOWN, but this company has molds of varying sizes, worth a look...
http://moosemoulds.wixsite.com/mm2013/minnie-hb

Kevin Dally

I could try and get a photo of the rifling with a camera I have, would it start deeper and get shallower or vice versa?

I have a 9/16 delrin rod I'm working with now, since it is only .010 or so off, but I have a friend with a lathe who will turn me one to the final diameter I need when I get it all sorted out.

The guy I bought it from shot N-SSA with it in the 80s, but he never slugged it, just used standard .575 ammo. It was a good deal and I read the mirokus are highly thought of so I figured why not? Usually I prefer cartridge guns but having a muzzleloader sounded like fun.

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the talk forum from Southeast Missouri located on the banks of the muddy Mississippi River.

 

[Tin cup]

I could try and get a photo of the rifling with a camera I have, would it start deeper and get shallower or vice versa?

I have a 9/16 delrin rod I'm working with now, since it is only .010 or so off, but I have a friend with a lathe who will turn me one to the final diameter I need when I get it all sorted out.

The guy I bought it from shot N-SSA with it in the 80s, but he never slugged it, just used standard .575 ammo. It was a good deal and I read the mirokus are highly thought of so I figured why not? Usually I prefer cartridge guns but having a muzzleloader sounded like fun.

Originals had bores that were the same diameter all through the bore...BUT, the grooves were around .14 thousandth's inch deep at the breech, gradually shallowing out to .5 thousandth's deep at the muzzle. I have found that type of rifling to be very forgiving on bullet diameter, where you have to have a very close fitting bullet on same depth rifling on the repro's I have mentioned.

We had a friend with an ORIGINAL 1863 Springfield, we were standing off-hand and shooting it at a full size metal silhouette of a Buffalo at 480 yards, and constantly hitting it! (See photo attached of me shooting at that target marked by an arrow!) Strange as it seems, the loads were were using were Lee Precisions 500 grain .575 Minie, sized down to .565", formed up into Enfield style rounds, with 60 grains of FFg powder. (See photo)

The "63" loved that load!

Kevin Dally

 

[jordanka16]

well it's hard to get a good picture from the camera that shows it, but the rifling sure seems to be the same depth all through the bore. I should have a chance to shoot it this weekend so I will find out if it likes these minies sized at .576 or if something larger is in order. Here is a photo by the way.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Welcome from WNY