Armi Sport 1842 Springfield 69 cal rifled s

[bearingsmith]

Looking for any and all comments/advice on the Armi Sport
1842 Springfield 69 cal rifled musket with the 42 inch barrel.
I would like to have a large cal rifle, but can't seem to get excited about a smooth bore.

Thanks

 

[nkbj]

Mine isn't the three band. It has the 33" barrel.
However, these comments pertain to all rifled Armisport .69's:

The bore you receive may end up being significantly larger in diameter than what you might expect. Won't matter if you want to shoot round ball.

The rifling you receive may be even shallower than what was normal for .69 rifled muskets. That can pose difficulties in shooting round ball accurately.

OK, now that I said all that bad stuff, let me say that I love my .69 rifle!

 

[The O'Dea]

Well Laddy,
I don't have a rifled-musket, but I do have the smoothbore pattern. Had in my store for awhile, then put it in the safe for nearly fifteen years. Two years ago I sent it off to Mr. Zimmerman of Harpers Ferry Virginia. He did a right fine job of makin 'er look proper like ( 1845 Harpers Ferry etc.)
Now, as for shootin smooth bore is great. I shoot both Buck 'n Ball cartridges, and also bare balls with a couple wads of tow. both pushed by 90 grains FG gunpowder :thumbsup:
Smooth bore muskets are just the greatest! I have two(20 different RB moulds. one for paper ctgs, and one(1) for shootin bare. Just too cold here in the central highland of Arizona to shoot bare though :haha:
Try the round ball pattern, ya won't be a bit sorry.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

 

[nkbj]

Hard cast ball has shot a little better for me than soft lead. Could that much fabric being bunched up kinda push the soft ball over to the side into one of those 3/8" wide grooves?
Dunno. :idunno:

 

[varsity07840]

Moose moulds makes a semi wadcutter minie in .685, .687 and .695. Their moulds are top shelf. Get a sizing die .001-.002 under bore size. Use pure lead.

Duane

 

[bearingsmith]

Good cheer.
Any particular reason for choosing the short over the long rifle?
I'm interested in target shooting from 50 to 150 yards. Old eyes
In competent hands will the 42 inch barreled rifle group or am I expecting too much?
Chiappa lists 1 in 65 twist for the short rifle and
1 in 63 for the 42 inch barrel.
Thanks to all who replied

 

[varsity07840]

Good cheer.
Any particular reason for choosing the short over the long rifle?
I'm interested in target shooting from 50 to 150 yards. Old eyes
In competent hands will the 42 inch barreled rifle group or am I expecting too much?
Chiappa lists 1 in 65 twist for the short rifle and
1 in 63 for the 42 inch barrel.
Thanks to all who replied

The Fremont rifle version certainly is the better choice for hunting. I have two original rifled '42s, one full length and one that was cut down to carbine length. The full length is cumbersome in a tree stand.

Duane

 

[nkbj]

yo bearingsmith,
Like Duane was saying, got the two bander for the handling characteristics.
While I'm thinking about it, on mine it hit to the left because of the way Armisport fit the front band. The band was torqued over to index on to the spring pin. I had to tune the hole in the band with a little round rat tail file to bring the sights back on.

The front blade is another matter to touch upon. It's thicker than what I'd prefer. But, on the longer barrel it'll probably look just right.

Another item is the ignition path from beneath the nipple into the breech. Mine has a big oil catcher waiting for a chance to foul your powder, so care should be exercised when hunting. Man I hate to hear the dreaded pop---boom. Once upon a time out by Dripping Springs a doe levitated up a canyon wall like a hummingbird when that happened with a .54 Tryon. We were both pretty funny that morning!