Best Recommended Load

[lonewolf172]

This is mainly for any ML shooters who just happen to have and shot a 32-36" Green Mountain barreled .54 cal ML. I know what most, if not all, are going to say. "You have to take it out and shot it to find out". I'm just looking for a good starting point i.e. powder, grains of powder, ball and patch size. Please PM me

 

[TreeMan]

I have three 54 cal rifles. All three shoot 80gr 2F, .530 RB and whatever patch thickness each rifle prefers. Two of mine like .018 and one .015 thick.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Can't really improve on that. I found an old load description for a M1803 .54 that called for three drams - 82 grains. My bone measure throws 82 to 84 grains. I have been using that in my .54 for a long time - but I use FFFg, 0.017/0.018" patch and 0.530" balls. Slower twists respond better to stouter loads.

 

[lonewolf172]

Thanks guys. Since I want to build a .54 cal Under Hammer with a 36" Green Mountain barrel I looked up the ballistics. One listing I found was for a ML with Green Mountain barrel. I know Green Mountain barrels I believe have 8 deep rifling's. 38" Green Mountain .54 caliber barrel 1 turn-in-70" twist allows it to be loaded and shot at fairly high velocity without loss of accuracy. Loaded with a .535" Dia. 230 grain ball, patched with .020" lubed cotton patching. The bore measured .540" land-to-land, .560" groove-to-groove.

 

[Sparkitoff]

I have a 37" GM barrel that is 1:70 ROT. I load 80 grain FFFg Goex, blue/white pillow ticking 0.18, 7:1 ballistol/water dry patch lube and a .530 Hornady swaged ball. I have tried different powder and granulation, many patches and 4 or 5 lubes. Frankly, I never tried any other balls. Out of the components I tried this works best for accuracy. MV is pretty good too.