Shooting Live Ammo:

[History36]

Hi all,

Just curious if folks here have ever shot a Civil War reproduction musket live, by chance? I have an 1853 British Enfield musket that we're looking to shoot live. When I tested the bullets in the barrel (the size is marked as being .577 Caliber, .560 Diameter, 536 gr. hollow base), we have a good 16th of an inch play in the barrel (unlike having that good snug fitting since no patch will be used as commonly associated with the mini balls). In other words, if we lower the musket - the bullet will slide right out.

However, a reputable sutler noted that all of the info above is normal, "As for the live rounds the bullet should not fit snug in the barrel as after a few shots you will not be able to get them down the barrel. The British round(s) were designed to be able for the shooter to just drop them down the barrel even tho after two shots you will still need the ramrod." Just to double-check, does all of this info sound normal for those folks who have shot a musket live?

I'm thinking about simply using some .58 Cal. mini balls & lubricated patches instead. Anyhow, any pros, cons, tips, suggestions, input, etc. that could be shared?

Thanks for your time!

 

[unicornforge]

The Civil War Reenactor's Black Powder Guide by David Smith. for $12.95 ... I highly recommend it.
http://www.regtqm.com/product-p/book-016.htm

Also:
Black Powder Handbook Paperback – 1975
by C. Kenneth Ramage (editor) (Author)

The complete black powder handbook Paperback – 1979
by Sam Fadala

Lyman Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual, 2nd Edition
by Sam Fadala

 

[DixieRifles]

Ive shot black powder for years but only owned a replica zouave rifle for about a year. I used the ammo that the previous owner gave me. I thought the Minie ball was too small and the oatched round ball was much too tight---almost had to hammer it diwn the barrel.
I dont know the answer but . . . .
CAUTION: Do not put a round in the barrel that is not fully seated. You don't want the round to slide down the barrel and become an obstruction.

 

[Don Dixon]

I shoot with the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA), and have their Distinguished Skirmisher badge for excellence in competiton with Civil War period weapons. So, you might say that I've shot them a bit.

Your "reputable" suttler is an ill-informed, incompetent idiot. Just because someone sells Civil War stuff, or wears a blue or gray uniform doesn't mean that they have a clue about what they are doing.

Muzzzleloading military weapons firing properly lubricated, properly sized bullets, are very reliable, and do not foul. Between 5 August 1863 and 5 May 1866 the British conducted an endurance test on a Pattern 1853 rifle musket. This rifle musket was fired at the rate of 20 rounds per day, for a total of 16,000 rounds, without cleaning. In February 1859, the British had reduced the diameter of their bullet for the .577 caliber Pattern 1853 Enfield from .568 to .550 inches, and that bullet – 0.022 inches under nominal bore size – was used in the above test. However, the British used the lubricated paper wrapper of their cartridge to take up windage in the bore of the Enfield and to provide adequate lubrication. (Roads, British Soldiers Firearm, pp. 69 and 140)

For accuracy in original or reproduction muzzle loading long arms of the period, when shooting unpatched bullets, you want a bullet that is sized .oo1 - .002 inches under the measured bore diameter of the weapon. Then you want to use good lubricant. Crisco is NOT good lubricant. I've fired well in excess of 100 rounds in practice without fouling and without cleaning. You would have to paper patch the bullet the suttler wanted to sell you to get it to shoot accurately. And, shooting a bullet that under-sized is guarranteed to give you substantial fouling.

This is not the site to ask questions regarding live fire of Civil War period weapons. Go to the forum at the N-SSA site (www.n-ssa.net) and do your research there. The people there know what they are doing.

Regards,
Don Dixon

 

[TinCan]

I shoot a 51 Colt Navy, a 58 Remington Navy, and a Hawken 50 cal. Always make sure your loads are properly seated and lubed. Anything else and your asking for trouble. I have pulled a round ball out of a Hawken barrel once, and don't care to ever do it again.

 

[History36]

Many 'thank you's' gents for the replies and insightful info - especially to you there Don! I'll be sure to check out the site. And, that's what I was hoping to learn - safety, safety, safety before I even attempt something like this. I'm on my way now to creating an account and see what we can do. Take care & my best to you guys once more!

 

[DixieRifles]

This rifle musket was fired at the rate of 20 rounds per day, for a total of 16,000 rounds, without cleaning.

Did you state this correctly??
Fired only 20 rds per day. Thatvwould take 800 days or ~2 years to expend 16,000 rds.

 

[Tin cup]

Hi all,

I have an 1853 British Enfield musket that we're looking to shoot live.

Replica? If so, which maker, Parker Hale, Euroarms, AmiSport, Pedersoli?

Kevin Dally

 

[History36]

Hmm...unsure 100%. My father purchased it for me years & years ago when I first entered the hobby. I'll look round' for a maker, but while we're on this - where best should I begin looking at on the piece itself? Thanks again!

 

[Jobe Holiday]

@DixieRifles - If you re-read Mr. Dixon's post, he said the test was done between 1863 and 1866.
J.

 

[History36]

I had posted on the North-South Skirmish site, but there is no sign of my posting and, hence, information to chat about. The last that I received was that all posts need to be screened by moderators. But, it's taking them a long time. If it takes them this long to generate chats, anything to learn may be a long time coming. Is there folks that I can chat with more directly in an effort to try and receive more info more quickly, just out of curiosity?

 

[Don Dixon]

On most web sites, including this one, new members have to be approved before they can post. I sugested that you do "research" on the N-SSA forum. The search funciton is your friend.

Regards,
Don Dixon

 

[UCVRelics]

The only thing I can add is to bench test a few times before you put to your shoulder.

 

[Story]

I had posted on the North-South Skirmish site, but there is no sign of my posting and, hence, information to chat about. The last that I received was that all posts need to be screened by moderators. But, it's taking them a long time. If it takes them this long to generate chats, anything to learn may be a long time coming. Is there folks that I can chat with more directly in an effort to try and receive more info more quickly, just out of curiosity?

Whereabouts are you located? Best way to put you directly in contact with a group.

 

[ResearchPress]

Just curious if folks here have ever shot a Civil War reproduction musket live, by chance? I have an 1853 British Enfield musket that we're looking to shoot live.

Have a read of the article on 'Managing The Enfield' on my blog. It will give you a good overview of what is required to shoot yours (its in 8 linked parts).

Had a good shoot with my original at the weekend. Aggregate match shooting 5 rounds at each distance - 200, 300 and 400 yards. Just one sighting shot at each distance, then the 5 match shots. Shooting was prone unsupported (ie. no rests or slings). Finished 2nd - but I did win the 30 shot aggregate the day before fired at the same distances but with muzzle loading target rifles rather than military.

David

 

[Jobe Holiday]

@History36 - FYI, I was looking at the N-SSA pages and saw that your post went through and is up for discussion now!
J.

 

[History36]

Thanks for the reply - I've been trying to catch up on this topic since I've been putting in some extra hours at work lately. I'm on my way now to check it out & see what we can do. Thank you again for the guidance and help all!