Paper patch roundball in a civil war musket?

[jrweis1997]

I have an 1861 springfield that I really enjoy shooting but it does get kind of boring shooting alone after a while id say. There are a bunch of shoots by me in western PA that I would like to shoot at that are roundball only which puts me in a bit of a bind with my 1861. Has anyone ever fired roundball paper cartridges out of a civil war musket? I had some .570 balls I tested it with that were basically impossible to get down the bore with paper around them. Reading about the 1842 rifles it looks like they shot .662 balls out of a .69 cal bore so I was thinking maybe I should try a .550 ball. Just curious if anyone here has given this a try I think ill pick up a box of balls and test out and if it goes well ill have to get myself a mold.

 

[Nobade]

Why not use cloth patches? My '61 shoots great with a. 570" ball and ticking patch. Or is this a speed competition where you need to use cartridges?

 

[Rifleman1776]

I once had an original CW musket I shot patched round balls from very successfully. No need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[jrweis1997]

Why not use cloth patches? My '61 shoots great with a. 570" ball and ticking patch. Or is this a speed competition where you need to use cartridges?

ive done patched as well i think it would just be neat to be able to shoot cartridges too

 

[dave951]

I have an 1861 springfield that I really enjoy shooting but it does get kind of boring shooting alone after a while id say. There are a bunch of shoots by me in western PA that I would like to shoot at that are roundball only which puts me in a bit of a bind with my 1861. Has anyone ever fired roundball paper cartridges out of a civil war musket? I had some .570 balls I tested it with that were basically impossible to get down the bore with paper around them. Reading about the 1842 rifles it looks like they shot .662 balls out of a .69 cal bore so I was thinking maybe I should try a .550 ball. Just curious if anyone here has given this a try I think ill pick up a box of balls and test out and if it goes well ill have to get myself a mold.

Hook up with the N-SSA if you want to shoot competition with a team.