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  1. W

    How do you stabilise your rifle for load testing/sighting in?

    In order to remove as much human error as possible (without a lead sled), what methods do different folks use to get their rifles steady?
  2. W

    Wasps Nest?

    Pardon me for throwing cold water on this, but I think this is a remembered bit of frontier mythology. Wasps nests will work as wadding. But it’s not to say that it’s the best kind of wadding. Old fabric, tow, wool- all that stuff would have been used to excellent effect. Of course a wasps...
  3. W

    RWS 1075 Percussion Caps

    You’re going to approve of them. Good German product ( I think) I wonder if RWS realises the hole in the market that CCI isn’t able to fill?
  4. W

    Converting Pedersoli Plainsman to Flintlock

    Hi mate, I have one of these and really enjoy it. I too have considered converting it to flintlock. I understand they came from the factory in both cap and flint, but have been out of production for 30 years and any parts are long long gone. That Siler blank-plate would be long enough. The end...
  5. W

    What gun for early 1700's Virginia.

    If this gentleman’s family was in the small percentage that was “upper class” for the era, maybe a fancier firearm might be owned. Maybe.
  6. W

    What gun for early 1700's Virginia.

    Plantation owners of that era were not like we imagine the plantation owners of the mid 19th century. The agricultural technology and economics were markedly different. (Jamestown and Plymouth were within living memory.) To put it in modern perspective think “lower middle class”. So, such a...
  7. W

    Flintlock muzzleloaders will rule again

    I can’t believe I’m contributing to this conversation… Has anyone watched “The Walking Dead”? I know it’s fictional but I think how the survivors live would be correct. There are kinds of people. Those that try to maintain some kind of decency towards each other, and those that do whatever...
  8. W

    2024 cap update, bad and the bad

    The merchant should not sell so many to 1 customer. This modern ”every man for himself” attitude is going to lead to a scary future.
  9. W

    Are the slow twists of the Springfield and Enfield rifle musket not suitable for minié balls?

    Thanks Pete. I certainly have some options to experiment with when I can next make it to the range. A machine shop measuring the bore with a telescopic gauge and it was .582 (I’m not sure is that is groove to groove or land to land) I will certainly adjust the lubricant ratio also. I remember...
  10. W

    How hot is the flame of a percussion cap?

    I bought some 5A blasting powder and some firecracker powder, both of which have been in storage for several years, but kept dry. I haven’t yet tried to shoot any, but I have touched a match to a teaspoon of it. It was quite hard to ignite and I actually laid the burning match on the pile for a...
  11. W

    Are the slow twists of the Springfield and Enfield rifle musket not suitable for minié balls?

    Thanks gentlemen for your help. I made some time this afternoon and slugged the first inch or so down into the muzzle. The rifling is shallow (as it should be because it’s got progressive depth rifling). The widest diameter measurement is .584 and the smallest is .580. So the .575 and .577...
  12. W

    Are the slow twists of the Springfield and Enfield rifle musket not suitable for minié balls?

    There will be some clever person that answers “there are hundreds of thousands of dead soldiers that can answer that” I’ve got a Parker Hale P53 with the historic 1:78 twist. I have tried minié balls from moulds made by Lyman, Lee and a custom made mould with interchangeable plug inserts for...
  13. W

    Tumbling minié balls. Advice please

    Hello again. Thank you for your advice. Unfortunately I haven’t yet been able to get to the range to try anything. Here is a picture of my 50 metre target (it was a used target, thus the nice smaller round holes in the 9 & 6 ring). As you can see they are tumbling badly.
  14. W

    Tumbling minié balls. Advice please

    I a grateful for everyone’s help. Bless you all and good shooting!
  15. W

    Tumbling minié balls. Advice please

    Thank you for your replies. I will definitely get some certified pure lead and try again. My lube is 80/20 beef tallow & beeswax. It’s excellent stuff. The fouling stays buttery soft and the 20th shot loads as easily as the first. The nipple was brand new
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