1863 Military Rifle Report

Josh A. · Post by **Josh A.** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:01 am

Many of you know that I had been looking for an 1863 military rifle for a mule deer hunt in Colo., well I've got one now. Matter of fact, I had a carbine spotted but the guy that had it looks like he has another buyer.

Anyway, this is a Big Timber rifle, Wolf manufacture. It had a Lyman 17A front sight and a Riflesmith transition type tang. I pulled them both. The only front I had handy with a 3/8ths dovetail was a white bead monstrosity, I'll put on a copper blade shortly. The rear barrel sight is the standard Lawrence pattern.

Well, here is what it will do at 100yds.

http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G1.JPG

http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G2.JPG

http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G1.JPG

The front bead completely covers the green bull on these targets, so I was using a six o'clock hold to get a decent sight picture. I was also shooting off a good bagged benchrest. The load was all blackpowder, but is not politically correct. It is also not for the faint of heart. I won't post it on an open forum but for those interested I will give it to you by email, I just won't take responsibility for anyone else's rifle.

The first group includes the first shot out of a cold clean barrel and all three groups were fired in a row. Nine shots straight. I was banging the rear sight left and right in between groups to get it hitting in the center.

I also did the o-ring conversion on my breech block pressure plate. I did mine by hand and it seems to be functioning perfectly. The one problem I am having is an occasional delay fire. The flash channel is clean, but ignition is not as consistent as a good percussion Hawken. If anyone has any insight, I would appreciate it.

I don't know about you guys, but I thought this was stunning performance out of one of these 1863's. I couldn't be happier.

Take care,

J

bwbayless · Post by **bwbayless** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:36 pm

Josh,

Looks like you've found a pretty good load. If I remember you posted earlier you are loading from the muzzle, is that correct? I read some where they did not allow a breech loader for ML season because the of the posibility to load it from the breech.

Good luck,

Bob

bwbayless · Post by **bwbayless** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:40 pm

Ooops!

Forgot! What I did with the hang fire was take a set of number bits. Determine what size will fit the nipple, then took one 2 numbers larger and opened the nipple. Might want to go the next size larger, try it, etc.

Bob

Josh A. · Post by **Josh A.** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:46 pm

Bw:
These particular groups were shot by seating from the breech. I am going to start experimenting with muzzle loading and I have a modification in mind to make the rifle ML only for the excursion to Colo. I am not particularly worried about the Colo. regs. It actually states "must be loaded from the muzzle during muzzle loading season." The modification will disable the lever, so I feel pretty safe especially considering the number of hunters out there with state of the art inlines.

I drilled out the nipple hole this evening, I'll give it a try and report back.

Thanks,

J

bwbayless · Post by **bwbayless** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:11 am

Josh,

I opened my nipple up with a #55 drill bit. Got in a conversation with a Shiloh owner last night and this subject came up. He pulled his out of the safe and went through the drill bit thing and his would take a #56. Said he had never had a hang fire problem.

Hope this helps,

Bob

gmartin · Post by **gmartin** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:38 pm

Josh,
Good shooting. I would be interested in your load information, anything '63 intrigues me.
You guys and your "O" Rings, never seen a need for this, but if you need it I suppose you know it.
My carbine ignites straight Pyrodex paper cartridges well, from the talk I hear I'd better trust that the nipple lasts forever and be glad the flash channel is as it is.
Best, Gregg

Ken Hartlein · Post by **Ken Hartlein** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:29 pm

Josh A. when is your hunt in CO?? I'm going to be in CO in the near future and just might run into you!

Josh A. · Post by **Josh A.** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:40 pm

Ken, the season is the 11-19th of Sept. I'll probably head up there a couple of days early.

I'll e-mail the load to however wants it, but I won't post it on an open forum.

Take care,

J

gmartin · Post by **gmartin** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:43 pm

Josh,
My E-Mail info should be on member list or bio.
Gregg