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oldphart

oldphart

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Hello All, I just bought an 1861 Parker Hale Enfield Musketoon in .58 cal. She is beautiful and seeks my old shoulder perfectly. Being a true novice here I notice the percusian caps need to be larger than the ones I have for my .45 Kentuckian and my Ruger Old Army revolvers. Can anyone tell my what size I need? I have yet to shoot anything cap & ball and am excited about getting started. In my South Central BC community there is a shortage of knowledgeable BP oriented sporting goods outlets.
There is, however a BP following I hope to get connected with. I bought a mold and am starting into the world of lead hardness for different applications etc. Any help greatly appreciated.
Mike
 
You probably need musket caps buddy. The one's I have are made by CCI, they come in a 3" round silver colored tin, kind of a yellowish label with crossed muskets behind a stars&stripes shield.

PS: If you buy the Lyman mould for Minie balls, keep in mind there is at least three slightly differing types. Ensure you get the one designed for Parker-Hale rifled muskets. Oops! I see you already got one, ignore my last please.

Cheers!
 
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Hi Brutus, Thanks for the input AG I had thought harder bullets were preferable in rifles, but with the concave butt softer makes sense.
The mold I bought is Lee MINIE .575-472 grain.
Mike
 
South Central BC? Try the Powder Keg if you're around Kamloops at all.

Now I say that but haven't been there in probably 5 years myself...but last time I was it was chock full. And I "understand" it still is a good store. Others are free to correct or substantiate - but I'd suggest checking it out.

There's another store in Revelstoke I can't remember the name of.
 
Welcome, Oldphart. I notice that, depending on where you are, exactly, in South Central BC, you may not be all that far from Ponderay, Idaho. If that is true, Buffalo Arms Co looks like an excellent place. They sure have a tonne of stuff on their website. If you go there, we expect a full report when you get home.:)
 
A good book for new black powder shooters is Sam Fadalas "Black Powder Loading Manual". On page 202 of the 4th edition he tests the Parker-Hale Musketoon. He uses 70 grs of either FFg black powder or Pyrodex RS for plinking and 100 grs of either FFg black powder or Pyrodex RS for hunting. Both using a 505 gr Buffalo bullet.
 
Goldenlakepete said:
A good book for new black powder shooters is Sam Fadalas "Black Powder Loading Manual". On page 202 of the 4th edition he tests the Parker-Hale Musketoon. He uses 70 grs of either FFg black powder or Pyrodex RS for plinking and 100 grs of either FFg black powder or Pyrodex RS for hunting. Both using a 505 gr Buffalo bullet.
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^Great advice indeed. I purchased instead the book entitled "Muzzleloading for Deer & Turkey" and although it is geared towards traditional & modern in-lines, it does not cover half of what Sam Fadala's excellent book covers on this subject. BTW, the author (not Sam!) gives scant lines on the ROA, and even mis-spells it's proper title. :(
While I'm blabbering away, another good title is: The Muzzleloading Rifle, Then & Now" by Walter Cline. Written in 1930s and primarily about the resurgence of muzzleloading rifle matches in the mid-west and south-eastern states of America. Although there are some good hunting stories from the Ozarks and another chapter on the Civil War. An interesting read for the traditional BP rifle enthusiast IMO. But not much technical how-to really, in this book. Entertainment.
 
Brutus said:
^Great advice indeed. I purchased instead the book entitled "Muzzleloading for Deer & Turkey" and although it is geared towards traditional & modern in-lines, it does not cover half of what Sam Fadala's excellent book covers on this subject. BTW, the author (not Sam!) gives scant lines on the ROA, and even mis-spells it's proper title. :(
While I'm blabbering away, another good title is: The Muzzleloading Rifle, Then & Now" by Walter Cline. Written in 1930s and primarily about the resurgence of muzzleloading rifle matches in the mid-west and south-eastern states of America. Although there are some good hunting stories from the Ozarks and another chapter on the Civil War. An interesting read for the traditional BP rifle enthusiast IMO. But not much technical how-to really, in this book. Entertainment.
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Always good to have more recommended sources. I've had Sam F's for many years now and it certainly is the best I've read to date.

I'd heard of Cline's but never read it - will have to keep an eye out for it. Sounds like a good read.
 
NorthCoastBigBore said:
Always good to have more recommended sources. I've had Sam F's for many years now and it certainly is the best I've read to date.

I'd heard of Cline's but never read it - will have to keep an eye out for it. Sounds like a good read.
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NorthCoastBigBore, I borrow that same Sam's book from a good friend here from time to time.
I believe you would enjoy Walter's book as well.

Cheers!
 
oldphart said:
Hi Brutus, Thanks for the input AG I had thought harder bullets were preferable in rifles, but with the concave butt softer makes sense.
The mold I bought is Lee MINIE .575-472 grain.
Mike
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nope thats smokeless cartridge rifles with minie balls you want soft lead as they should just touch the rifling going down and expand going out grabing the rifling

but with any muzzleloader you want soft lead
 
That seems stupid when I see it in print. This is my first forum involvement and I am amazed at the help, suggestions, and advice that is freely offered. I am also extremely grateful. Brutus also helped me previously and offered encouragement while I fenangled to obtain my second SS Ruger Old Army.
 
oldphart said:
That seems stupid when I see it in print. This is my first forum involvement and I am amazed at the help, suggestions, and advice that is freely offered. I am also extremely grateful. Brutus also helped me previously and offered encouragement while I fenangled to obtain my second SS Ruger Old Army.
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There are no silly questions when it comes to muzzleloading firearms friend. Glad to help, and yes you are right, wheelweight alloy is a bit too hard for pushing it down from the front. Soft as can be, as has been previously mentioned by someone else here.

Cheers.........
 
I live around the corner from the Powder Keg and find the BP offerings very sparse. We have a Wholesale sports here that seems to have a bit more to offer. Next week end is our annual gun & knife show where I hope to get a possibles bag and who knows what. It will depend a lot on sales I may make.
 
oldphart said:
I live around the corner from the Powder Keg and find the BP offerings very sparse. We have a Wholesale sports here that seems to have a bit more to offer. Next week end is our annual gun & knife show where I hope to get a possibles bag and who knows what. It will depend a lot on sales I may make.
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That's too bad, last time I was in there I was impressed. Was hoping to get in there soon (some work in Kamloops coming up) maybe I won't bother.

Wasn't so impressed with WSS last time I dropped into that one in Kamloops, the BP stuff was running short.
 
Having said that I was just at the Powder Keg and bought 2 tins of CCI four wing musket caps and two .58 cal bronze brushes.
 
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