.58cal. Barrels?

[Rifleball36]

I was thinking [ bad thing ] about the .58 cal. and the minie bullets: R.E.A.L. rifle bullet, Modern Minie, Improved Minie, Origional Minie, Lyman's Parker Hale Enfield Target bullet ect.

These minies shoot in barrels with a 1-78" or 1-66" ect. twist with button rifling .006 deep like the Springfield and Enfield rifles. How will they shoot in the Green Mountain or Colerain barrels with .012 to .016 deep groove rifling. I am of the opinion that the skirt of the minie will split or melt because of gas bolw by. This would destroy accuracy. Have any of you who have a .58 cal. tried any of these minies. I would like to know how they shoot. I don't have a .58 cal.,but thinking about building one for my next project. :hmm:

 

[faw3]

Let you know tonight. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Stubert]

I just sold a 58 barrel because I did not like the way it shot. It was a 1-48. With r/balls the patch would shred if I used anything over 60 grains. (the ball was stripping the rifling). With the 575213 o.s. minnie (460 gr.) it shot good up to 65-70 grains then, no accuracy at all (blowing skirts?)I modified the minnie to a flat base and it shot ok at 110 grains 2f, but it weighed 510 gr. and the recoil was a little stiff. I would get the lyman minnie #577611 with the thick skirt that is made for heavy loads.

 

[F.G. Ford]

You can shoot many thicher walled minies without problems if you have a thick (lubed) felt wad over the powder, protecting the base, from distortion and excessive expansion.
Remember the purpose of the old minie ball was for fast loading, with a light to moderate load.
Most minies fail because of excessive expansion of the base, which distroys any attempt at accuracy.
If you do not put a card or felt wad over the powder, you will get gas blow-by or base erosion
which kill accuracy.
Best Regards

Old Ford

 

[faw3]

Ive been in and out of hospital all week but have these 58 minie's left from when I wouldnt touch a PRB, I could only shoot 5 in all at paper plates at about the 40 yard tree out of a GM T/C 58 drop in barrel, (been so many years since I got them I dont know who made them) shot all with 60grs 2f, and every one keyhold but the Buffalo Bal-let it went right in and the 2nd hit 2" away from first. not much help but all I could shoot today, Im headed back to bed, Fred :hatsoff:

 

[J.D.]

It was a 1-48. With r/balls the patch would shred if I used anything over 60 grains. (the ball was stripping the rifling).

I seriously doubt that the ball was stripping the rifling. Blown patches ususally indicate a too thin patch, a rough bore, or possibly a burr at the muzzle.

Or in the case of steady use of minies, the possibility of some residual lead deposits tearing the patch.

The only way a ball can skip rifling is if the rifling is only a coupla thousanths deep and the powder charge too high.

Unless this barrel has mere scratches for riflings, it ain't gonna happen.
J.D.

 

[Rifleball36]

Thinks. I hope you get to feeling better.