Keeping the Minie Ball in Place in the field

[gjkershul]

I just got my Euroarms 1861 Enfield Musketoon dialed in this morning loading a Lyman Parker-Hale Minie in front of 70grs. of Goex 2F.
I size the Minies to .575 and they load very easily. So easily that I am concerned they may shift in the barrel in the field being subject taking on and off vehicles, animals, me negotiating steep slopes etc. After the barrel is fouled by five shots the projectile seems quite stable in not moving away from the charge.
I recall from a History Channel presentation that
ACW soldiers sometimes rammed down the cartridge paper to keep the bullet in place. Does anyone know of another practice to keep a Minie in place in a clean dry barrel.

 

[gmww]

Paper patch it maybe? If your not too concerned about being PC. I wrap mine with Teflon plumbers tape. Keeps it in place very well.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

ditto teflon tape in my .50.

 

[Poor Private]

ram the paper from the cartridge. In battle who had time to worry about paper or cloth? That is if your goin to do the Enfield right. roll your own paper cartridge per specs and see what happens when you go to load.

 

[MercerLake]

:v I have used a short length of "dental floss" across the muzzle then seated the Minie Ball. The floss tightens the fit of the slug to the clean bore. If one strand is not enough then loop the floss back across the muzzle in an X pattern. This will securely hold the slug on the powder.
Paper patching, paper or teflon tape also works very well and will generally improve the accuracy as well. :v

 

[gjkershul]

Good ideas all! I will try them.

 

[longcruise]

Maybe a shot gun style card wad on top of the minie? Probably need to redo your accurcy regimen to besure.

I like the dental floss idea