Minie ball fit.

[skeeterfogger]

Ok. I have one of those inbetween bores.
A .575 will go flush with reasonably easy thumb pressure, starts easy and weight of ram rod will just about send it down.
A .578 is a bit squirrelly to get skirt started and will thumb push to 2/3s. Starter works to finish easy enough and rams easy.
I haven't been able to get to range to see accuracy of either.
I've been primarily a PRB shooter.
Feedback appreciated.

 

[Slamfire]

Ok. I have one of those inbetween bores.
A .575 will go flush with reasonably easy thumb pressure, starts easy and weight of ram rod will just about send it down.
A .578 is a bit squirrelly to get skirt started and will thumb push to 2/3s. Starter works to finish easy enough and rams easy.
I haven't been able to get to range to see accuracy of either.
I've been primarily a PRB shooter.
Feedback appreciated.

I purchased a 58 caliber Musket from a maker who was a North/South Skirmisher. His standard was that the Minie ball had no more than 0.002" clearance. And that is the standard I used when sizing my Minie balls. I can drop a sized Minie ball down my clean barrel and hear the air whistling as the ball drops down the tube. Sounds like a xylophone.

Shoots good at 100 yards, 12" gong target



I think this is one of my blackpowder targets at 100 yards offhand.



It is important not to overcharge, you will blow the skirts. I used about 50 grains FFg Blackpowder with a 460 or 510 grain bullet. Grease the heck out of your Minies. I used a 50/50 mix of Beeswax/Crisco. More beeswax in the summer. Fill the cavity of the ball with grease. You want a lot of grease each shot. Expect to clean your barrel around 20 rounds. If you have to force the ball, time to clean.

 

[skeeterfogger]

I looked for days for a .569 Pritchett modified that from reading was the goto of my bore but it's nonexistent. Having one made too expensive.
Considering the ease of start I'm going with the .575 with wax and congealed veg oil lube.

 

[eastbank]

the 575213 hollow base mini ball has been the most accuret in my .58 springfield with fff-60grs and do lube it good.

 

[skeeterfogger]

the 575213 hollow base mini ball has been the most accuret in my .58 springfield with fff-60grs and do lube it good.

Yep that's what I'm using. From test fires in dirt it appears that the powder could be increased to probably 75-80 without excessive skirt flair. But 60 is the standard military charge from what I've read so it's good enough for me. Read where game hunters in Africa used 90-110 with solid slugs. Don't think I'll be needing that.

 

[dave951]

Ok. I have one of those inbetween bores.
A .575 will go flush with reasonably easy thumb pressure, starts easy and weight of ram rod will just about send it down.
A .578 is a bit squirrelly to get skirt started and will thumb push to 2/3s. Starter works to finish easy enough and rams easy.
I haven't been able to get to range to see accuracy of either.
I've been primarily a PRB shooter.
Feedback appreciated.

Looks like 575 is going to be your size of choice. My Parker Hale is a 575 and the first round will go in exactly like you're describing.

Try charges of about 45gr 3f. Use good quality caps, NOT the reenactor crap from CCI. Melt 50/50 beeswax/lard and dip lube base. DO NOT fill the base with lube. Some guns will respond to that but no sense in going there yet.

There is one other potential issue. The rifling twist on the repops varies. I have 3 Zouaves in my possession at the moment for a Boy Scout project. Two will shoot the lightweight 375gr Hogdons like lasers. The other can't shoot a 10in group with them. However, when I put in a heavy minie (like 400+gr) it's the best shooter of the 3. It's all about the twist rate. Go test yours and have a great day at the range.