I measured the bore of a recently purchased Miroku 1863 Springfield reproduction and found it to be over .58 caliber. I think my methodology was ok but y’all let me know what you think: I slightly hammered a Minie ball to make it mushroom a bit, screwed it to a 5-inch, 1/4-20 bolt and drove it into the muzzle about four inches. When I pulled it out I measured the “slug” to be .585 caliber. I used the same method on my two other muskets. My Armi Sport 61 Springfield measured .581 and my Parker Hale 53 Enfield was spot on at .577.
Questions: (1) Does anyone know if this was common to Miroku reproductions, i.e. to be oversized? (2) Will a .58 Minie work or will it be undersized? (3) If undersized, how do I cast an oversized Minie? (So far I haven’t seen any oversized molds and I’d rather not have to pay the big bucks for a custom mold, if possible.)
I’m really hoping to make the Miroku and the PH accurate, match-grade guns, or at least close to it. Unfortunately, I’m really new to black powder and I’m not in a location where I can easily connect with experienced shooters such as N-SSA members, so I’m forced to become self-taught.
As always, I appreciate thoughts, comments, advice, criticism, etc.
BTW, anyone out there near the Flathead Valley in Montana who would like to connect?
Questions: (1) Does anyone know if this was common to Miroku reproductions, i.e. to be oversized? (2) Will a .58 Minie work or will it be undersized? (3) If undersized, how do I cast an oversized Minie? (So far I haven’t seen any oversized molds and I’d rather not have to pay the big bucks for a custom mold, if possible.)
I’m really hoping to make the Miroku and the PH accurate, match-grade guns, or at least close to it. Unfortunately, I’m really new to black powder and I’m not in a location where I can easily connect with experienced shooters such as N-SSA members, so I’m forced to become self-taught.
As always, I appreciate thoughts, comments, advice, criticism, etc.
BTW, anyone out there near the Flathead Valley in Montana who would like to connect?