Replica Arms Wesson .45

Any of you folks have experience with one of these? I traded for one some time ago. Looking it over, I figured out it had close to a 24” twist so have not even tried round balls.
Got in a LEE 300gr Improved Minnie mold & plan to try those when it cools off enough to enjoy a day at the range.
My question is have any of you shot one & if so, what loads did you find to work well?

those where made for slugs heavy 475 gr 45 cal.
try the heavy t/c or the long lead ones. don't try to use sabots and pistol bullets. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/129/1 https://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_99_311_313&osCsid=7uam33g3q1o9lj8ccubsb05rr2 here are 2 links. they will require some force to engae rifling

For what it's worth, my 2005 Dixie catalog shows the Wesson Rifle for sale at $625.

Their information says it has a blued 28" .45 caliber barrel with a 1:21 twist. It has a 1 1/8" octagon barrel.

The rifling grooves are .006 deep giving a .462 rifling dia in the .450 diameter bore.

They suggest a .440 diameter roundball with a .015 patch and 70 grains of 2Fg powder, or a .45 cal conical bullet.

I don't know that I agree with the 70 grain powder load under the roundball but the .006 deep rifling should work with a patched roundball.

.006 is also pretty deep for a elongated bullet unless it is made out of real soft, pure lead.

The rifle they show was made by Palmetto, a company not known for their premium quality so good luck with it.

This is a different rifle. The barrel is 7/8" across the flats & 26" long..
The lock is weird too. You have to set the trigger to cock the hammer.
I got a LEE .454" 298gr Minie mold to try.

Good luck on getting a elongated .454 diameter bullet started in a .450 diameter bore, or did you measure the bore and find that it is actually .455?

IMO, the slug should be at least .001 smaller than the bore to load it and even then, wiping between shots is needed.

Looks like the bore is about ..452 & groove about .457. I haven't tried loading it yet.

I've got one that I purchase new many years ago and you are welcome to come by and take a look. All I can remember is that it is a very nice looking rifle. I do believe I shot it but it's been so long don't remember if it was with a round ball or not