New guy with ammo question.

[JPChurch]

Couple of comments-
I am NSSA and will be competing at Nationals this weekend in Winchester. I did reenact for a bunch of years during the 125th to 135th cycles and while it was memorable, nothing touches shooting live with the old guns!

Go join the NSSA board, there are guys there who shoot these guns live with a depth of knowledge you won't find anywhere else on how to make them tack drivers. Authentic rounds are ok if you want to, but not really practical if you're into shooting. Try them, then just do it the NSSA way. They keep way better. There are tons of lube recipies out there. Just ask any 10 NSSA members and you'll get 12 answers. Here's what I've found to work really, really well. Beeswax 40% Lard 60%. I tested lard against crisco and there was no comparison, every gun shot better with lard or a lard derivative except one and that one was no change. On a couple, namely my 63 Sharps and 58 Parker Hale, the difference was startling. In the Sharps, the group size was 1.75in at 50yds, but went to a single hole with lard. The Parker Hale went from a 2.5in group at 100 to 1.5, yup, 1.5 with iron sights, one big ragged hole. Point is, experiment, observe, change one variable at the time and you'll find the Miroku to be a sweet shooting musket. Also try some different bullets. If your Miroku is like one I have some experience with, the bore is oversize. The one I shot needed a 579 bullet as the bore was 580. Not all minies are the same, some shoot better than others. Both my 62 Colt Contracts like the Rapine "trashcan" and will shoot them into one hole at 50yds, but neither shoots well with about any normal minie I've tried. For a bullet selection, get with Pat Vebosky aka Bullet Man. He is on the Lodgewood website. Order a selection and have fun experimenting.

Last thing, don't get wrapped up in charge levels. These guns generally shoot best at about 60-75% service charge. My 62 Contracts are shooting 44.5gr 3f Old Eynsford and the Parker Hale is shooting 42gr 3f same powder.

Couple of comments-
I am NSSA and will be competing at Nationals this weekend in Winchester. I did reenact for a bunch of years during the 125th to 135th cycles and while it was memorable, nothing touches shooting live with the old guns!

Go join the NSSA board, there are guys there who shoot these guns live with a depth of knowledge you won't find anywhere else on how to make them tack drivers. Authentic rounds are ok if you want to, but not really practical if you're into shooting. Try them, then just do it the NSSA way. They keep way better. There are tons of lube recipies out there. Just ask any 10 NSSA members and you'll get 12 answers. Here's what I've found to work really, really well. Beeswax 40% Lard 60%. I tested lard against crisco and there was no comparison, every gun shot better with lard or a lard derivative except one and that one was no change. On a couple, namely my 63 Sharps and 58 Parker Hale, the difference was startling. In the Sharps, the group size was 1.75in at 50yds, but went to a single hole with lard. The Parker Hale went from a 2.5in group at 100 to 1.5, yup, 1.5 with iron sights, one big ragged hole. Point is, experiment, observe, change one variable at the time and you'll find the Miroku to be a sweet shooting musket. Also try some different bullets. If your Miroku is like one I have some experience with, the bore is oversize. The one I shot needed a 579 bullet as the bore was 580. Not all minies are the same, some shoot better than others. Both my 62 Colt Contracts like the Rapine "trashcan" and will shoot them into one hole at 50yds, but neither shoots well with about any normal minie I've tried. For a bullet selection, get with Pat Vebosky aka Bullet Man. He is on the Lodgewood website. Order a selection and have fun experimenting.

Last thing, don't get wrapped up in charge levels. These guns generally shoot best at about 60-75% service charge. My 62 Contracts are shooting 44.5gr 3f Old Eynsford and the Parker Hale is shooting 42gr 3f same powder.

 

[JPChurch]

Have fun at the Nationals!!! Always a great time!! Great advice on your part. What region/regiment are you in??? I'll have to get me some lard over Crisco since that recipe changed years ago.

 

[AnnaLee]

Hello and welcome from Appomattox, Va.

 

[CMWinkler]

Welcome.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Welcome from NW Georgia

 

[jordanka16]

PS: Pat Kaboskey up in Wisconsin has contact information at Lodgewood's website. He can cast bullets for you for a batch while you wait to get started casting your own.

I've finally accumulated all the stuff I need to start casting, but since I'll do it outside/out of doors, I'm waiting for a rainless day to get started. My first attempts will be trying to do the smooth bore conical "type II" so-called "Nessler" (a misnomer) bullet for use in a Model 1842, before I start making round balls and .575" Minies.

I've been casting bullets for other guns for years, I bought a cheap lee mold to play around with until moose molds or someone can make me a custom one of the right diameter. Make sure when you cast with pure lead you get the lead really hot.

Here's a batch I did the other day, probably wont be the most accurate but they will work for other people who just want to shoot a musket, I'll save the really accurate ones for myself.

 

[poorjack]

While I'm not a fan of Lee molds, they did have a pretty good knockoff of the Rapine trash can. It shoots great in my musketoon and Parker Hale. I got it off a junk table at Nationals and wanted a spare after I found how good it shoots in my guns BUT Lee has discontinued it.

JP- I'm with the Palmetto Sharpshooters. Smoothbore match today!

 

[JPChurch]

While I'm not a fan of Lee molds, they did have a pretty good knockoff of the Rapine trash can. It shoots great in my musketoon and Parker Hale. I got it off a junk table at Nationals and wanted a spare after I found how good it shoots in my guns BUT Lee has discontinued it.

JP- I'm with the Palmetto Sharpshooters. Smoothbore match today!

Nice!!!! Would love to be up there with my '42!!! Have fun!!! Perfect weather for skirmishing, quiet and still, no wind/rain/ bright sunshine/hot humid conditions today and tomorrow. Sunday may be back in the 80's and sunny. Post some pics when you get a chance!!!!

 

[GS]

Welcome to the Forum, from central Alabama!

 

[poorjack]

Smoothbore event. I'm the guy in the Glengarry. Gun is 1842 Macon. 69 cal

 

[poorjack]

Howitzer smoothbore match

 

[JPChurch]

Smoothbore event. I'm the guy in the Glengarry. Gun is 1842 Macon. 69 calView attachment 206307

Clay tiles at 50?? How did you guys do at 100? Or do they do the 100 yard event for smoothbore? So much fun....

 

[jordanka16]

Got a few made up so far, it sure takes a while to make them, nothing like cranking out 9mm ammo, lol.

I also ordered the kit from jefferson arsenal, so I have a comparison with the templates and paper I'm using and their paper.

 

[poorjack]

Carbine match, Saturday am.

 

[JPChurch]

View attachment 206370 Carbine match, Saturday am.

Awesome!!!

 

[poorjack]

Calm before the storm. Opening ceremonies prior to first phase first relay of the musket match Sunday am.

 

[MRB1863]

Hello and welcome from 35 miles north of Gettysburg!

 

[JPChurch]

View attachment 206509 Calm before the storm. Opening ceremonies prior to first phase first relay of the musket match Sunday am.

Nice!!! Pigeon board is always a true test of one's own accuracy.