Accuracy of an 1861 Springfield

[Blueliner67]

So I had some local kids at the club shooting today on the rifle range and I brought out my 1861 Springfield to show them why the Civil War was so deadly. Both of these targets are shot from the sitting, supported position. I shot a .57 round ball with a lubed patch, 65 grains of 2fg powder at 50 yards. Fairly accurate. Then I shot a
575 Minnie ball with 65 grains 2fg powder at 100 yards. Really accurate!

I was explaining why the Union troops at Fredericksburg and the Confederate troops on Picketts Charge during Gettysburg had over 50% casualty rates. I'm sure they were much more impressed with the Springfield then they were my shooting ability. But I enjoy trying to bring some real history to the boring classroom lessons they get.

Scott

 

[Stantheman86]

So I had some local kids at the club shooting today on the rifle range and I brought out my 1861 Springfield to show them why the Civil War was so deadly. Both of these targets are shot from the sitting, supported position. I shot a .57 round ball with a lubed patch, 65 grains of 2fg powder at 50 yards. Fairly accurate. Then I shot a
575 Minnie ball with 65 grains 2fg powder at 100 yards. Really accurate!

I was explaining why the Union troops at Fredericksburg and the Confederate troops on Picketts Charge during Gettysburg had over 50% casualty rates. I'm sure they were much more impressed with the Springfield then they were my shooting ability. But I enjoy trying to bring some real history to the boring classroom lessons they get.

Scott

That's a tight group at 100

I forget what the "standard" was in 1861 from the Ordnance Dept, I think they felt that the rifles should shoot within 6" at 100 yards.