Zouave roundball accuracy

[robert reed]

I have an old Adler Rem 63 with fast twist rifling. It shoots good with minies and standard 60 grains FFG. I wanted to shoot prb as precast minies are $$$ and I have yet to learn to cast them well. So I packed up a box of powders, wads, patches and Hornady .570 and .575 home cast balls. First day without rain and cold, had to take advantage of it!

Tried several component combinations to find a balance of power, accuracy and POI with the non adjustable sights. The bore is tight, .575 balls won't roll down it. Seems to get tighter toward breech.

The load that it likes is 90 grains Goex FG, op wad, .570 ball and .010 patch fulminated by RWS 1081 musket caps.

This turned my $150 pawn shop find into a bullseye eraser. Ten rounds at 50 yards offhand leaves one fist sized hole centered on bull with no hold off or Italian windage. At 100 yards all shots stay in 4 to 5 inches from sandbag rest. Fouling is bad, requires wiping every 5 shots to load. I can live with that! :grin:

 

[F.G. Ford]

How would your group be at 100 yds. if you wiped with alcohol after each shot, followed with a over powder wad, and a lubed patch and .570 ball? :shocked2:
Fred

 

[mooman76]

Minies can be a PETA to cast. You need your mould really hot and the pin too, that's that harder one. Lee makes a minie that casts a little easier. The pin is attached to the mould so it goes quicker and heats up quick.

 

[robert reed]

Yup. It pays to experiment. POI changed 2.5 inches to right by switching from FFG to FG. I do better on cans than targets at 100 yards. Eyes are getting old.