First black powder, Enfield 1853 - Hodgdon Triple Seven FFg

JasonGTA

JasonGTA

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Hello everyone,

I just picked up a Parker Hale 1853 as my first black powder gun, I have been searching for one for quite a while so I am very happy with it. It has a great fit and finish, slightly used so has some dings but that's the way I like them. Since this is my first black powder firearm I have been trying my best to learn as much as I can about BP, casting lead bullets, paper cartridges, etc. I picked up a LYMAN-575-213-PH 566 grain mold and now looking for a lead pot and a good supply of scrap lead.

The first question I have is will I need to size these bullets after I cast them? I assume if they fit well right out of the mold than I do not need to worry.

Second is the only BP I was able to find locally is Hodgdon Triple Seven FFg, but everywhere I read that the recommended BP is Goex? Is this Godgon Triple Seven an okay substitute?

I would like to try to recreate British style paper cartridges, I assume that I will have to size the bullets down to .568? Anyone have a good lead on the correct paper to use?
 
You won’t need to size your bullets. I don’t use BP subs but if it’s all that you can find try it. The old military load was 60grs which works in my original. Sites print about 18” high at 100. I use Goex 2f or 1f which I haven’t noticed any difference in accuracy. The mould you have should work well with soft lead.
 
Please take a few minutes to watch papercartridges [Brett Gibbons] on Youtube, followed up by our very own Rob Enfield in britishmuzzleloading.

Both have astounding levels of knowledge about this arm, as, indeed, do many here.

One of THE best writings is by David Minshall, long-time champion ML shooter who founded Research Press in 1998 - here it is - http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firearms/british-military-longarms/enfield/managing-the-enfield

The British service load is 68.5gr of either 1.5 or 2 Fg, shooting a Minié bullet that is about 1 - 1.5 thou undersized to go down the barrel. Note that during the American Civil War, troops on both sides used a somewhat reduced load of 60gr, in common with that of the Springfield rifled musket.

By the way, Mr Minshall is collating Parker-Hale serial numbers for a definitive archival record, and would therefore be very grateful to know your serial number, and details of the proof - found underneath the breech-end of the barrel.
 
tacfoley said:
Please take a few minutes to watch papercartridges [Brett Gibbons] on Youtube, followed up by our very own Rob Enfield in britishmuzzleloading.

Both have astounding levels of knowledge about this arm, as, indeed, do many here.

One of THE best writings is by David Minshall, long-time champion ML shooter who founded Research Press in 1998 - here it is - http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firearms/british-military-longarms/enfield/managing-the-enfield

The British service load is 68.5gr of either 1.5 or 2 Fg, shooting a Minié bullet that is about 1 - 1.5 thou undersized to go down the barrel. Note that during the American Civil War, troops on both sides used a somewhat reduced load of 60gr, in common with that of the Springfield rifled musket.

By the way, Mr Minshall is collating Parker-Hale serial numbers for a definitive archival record, and would therefore be very grateful to know your serial number, and details of the proof - found underneath the breech-end of the barrel.
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I have been watching paper cartridges and british muzzleloading on YouTube, but I think I need to go back and watch some of the older videos they have.

Do you know how to contact Mr Minshall? I would happily give him my Parker Hales info
 
Just for the record, Hodgdon Triple 7 is not BP. It is a BP substitute. In granular form, it is compatible with percussion caps and musket caps, although it is harder to ignite than BP. It will not work with flintlock actions. It is also more energetic than BP and may generate slightly higher pressures. Loads should be adjusted accordingly.
 
pacobillie said:
Just for the record, Hodgdon Triple 7 is not BP. It is a BP substitute. In granular form, it is compatible with percussion caps and musket caps, although it is harder to ignite than BP. It will not work with flintlock actions. It is also more energetic than BP and may generate slightly higher pressures. Loads should be adjusted accordingly.
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This. Real black powder is the best for these rifles.
 
Thanks for the heads up, I was told by the guy at the counter it was BP but the label wasn't the clearest. Ill pick up some actual BP to start with.
 
pacobillie said:
Just for the record, Hodgdon Triple 7 is not BP. It is a BP substitute. In granular form, it is compatible with percussion caps and musket caps, although it is harder to ignite than BP. It will not work with flintlock actions. It is also more energetic than BP and may generate slightly higher pressures. Loads should be adjusted accordingly.
Click to expand...

I use it in my caplock, no issue so far. I am using FFFG instead of FFG in my .54 as I heard that it ignites faster. CCI caps and I haven't had an issue yet. I knocked my volume of powder down 10%.
 
If you are not a poster on muzzleloading forum, or the Enfield or Whitworth Facebook pages, you can do it via me, if you care to. I collect all the numbers I find here in UK, and cull them from the other fora. Or you could simple email him at research press.

Remember, not just the serial, but a description of the proof marks under the breech. The breech plug will have a different serial number to the barrel - this is quite normal, as they were batch made at different times, and of a different grade of steel - you can see that the bluing takes a different hue to the barrel. The number that matters is on the left side of the barrel, adjacent to the upturn of the stock. Hopefully it is between 0001 and ca. 9000 or so.
 
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Please do not use a substitute in your Enfield rifle. It was designed from the off to shoot black powder - 2 and 1/2 drams of it - around 68.5gr of 1.3 - 2Fg with a 535gr Minié bullet. During the ACW the American users reduced that load to an even 60gr, and used it in both the three-band rifle and the Artillery model, known as a Musketoon.

FYI - and reading from David Minshall's excellent guide to shooting the Enfield rifle [and Rob's too] 1.5 - 2Fg is suitable for calibres from .50 - .75.

2Fg is good for 45cal, although 3Fg might be shot in a .451cal Whitworth or other BP match rifle - I shoot between 80 and 90gr of Swiss 2Fg in my Whitworth, but then I am shooting out to 900m. I often hit the target, too, and very satisfying it is.
 
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