Feeding of Original 1863

Support for the 1863 shooter. Discussions of powders, loads, bullets, etc.
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Jim Stewart
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 3:18 pm
Location: Atlanta, Texas

Feeding of Original 1863

Post by Jim Stewart »

Please advise on proper feeding of an original M1863 in good shooting shape.

Does it use top hat musket caps or numbered caps like a sporting rifle or revolver?

What's a good bullet for it and where can I buy them ready cast?

Any good tips on loading techniques?

Thanks.

Cordially,

Jim Stewart
Rich Siegel
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2002 7:53 am
Location: Maine

Post by Rich Siegel »

Jim,

The Shiloh '63 and the originals, use standard musket caps. As to bullets, I don't know who might cast them but I use bullets I cast from a Rapine ringtail, tapered bullet, weighing 490 grains in a soft lead alloy.

My Shiloh likes 50 grains of FFG GOEX powder in a nitrated paper cartridge.

Rich
dra1911
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:20 pm
Location: Kentucky

Feeding the 63

Post by dra1911 »

I'm new to the black powder scene so please check with others before using this bullet. I orderd a box(50) of .542 cal. 475 grain ring tail bullets by Montana Precision Swaging from Midway. They can be found on page 138 of their 2006 catalog. Product #314-713, cost is $21.99 a box plus shipping. Accuracy is nothing to brag about, but the experience gained in rolling my own paper cartridges was invaluable. Hope this helps and again please check with more knowlegable 63 shooters before using this bullet.
Good Shooting,
Dan
Rich Siegel
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2002 7:53 am
Location: Maine

Post by Rich Siegel »

Dan,

Those .542 bullets might be too small for best accuracy. I use .549 in my Shiloh '63 military carbine.
My normal accuracy out of my carbine is 3" at 100 yards and all shots touching at 50 yards. Others might get better accuracy.

Rich
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Retired Bucktail
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:00 pm

Post by Retired Bucktail »

BTW, original M1863's are .52 caliber.
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