reloading the .577 snider

Lucite

Lucite

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I recently purchased an 1858 3 band snider MKII* with the 3 groove rifling that I'd like to make up some cartridges for. I'm familiar with reloading the .577-450 Martini Henry and after watching the British Muzzleloaders and the iraqveteran8888 video's on reloading the .577 snider it seems much easier than the .577/450 I'm just wondering about what bullet to use. I've taken a cast of the rifling and I get a bore dia of about .577 and looking online there seem to be a few options ranging from using minie style projectiles to solid base ones and even round ball's. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, personally I'm almost leaning towards one of the CBE moulds, I have one for the .577/450 and it's a fantastic mould.
 
In my 3 groove Snider Mk II** I found conical bullets did not shoot well due to the somewhat slower twist rifling. I switched to a .60 calibre swaged round ball and the groups tightened right up. Can't remember the twist rate off the top of my head as I haven't messed with it in a while.
 
I have a 3 band Snider Mk II as well . After trying a few bullets ,I bought a .600 round ball mold. .600 balls , by far, gave me the best results , in group size.
I find my lead at the local scrap metal dealer. Old lead plumbing pipes , and roofing lead sheets can both be found there by times , and both are excellent , soft lead. Melt a bunch down , and make some ingots , (I used a dollar store muffin tin)
Ya don't need anything fancy. An old Colman camp stove , and a small cast iron pot works great.
You mileage may vary .
 
It seems like the .600 round ball is pretty popular although I would still prefer to use a conical bullet. I 've also dealt with x-ring in the past buying some 577/450 cases from him, what are his moulds like and how do they compare in price to other mfgs.
 
So I sent Martyn at x-ring an email and a bullet mould for the .577 snider would be about 107.00 USD shipped to Canada and with the current exchange rate it's similar in price to the CBE moulds if not a bit cheaper then there's still the cheapest option of the .600 round ball mould from lee which Higginson lists for 28.50 for the double cavity so there are certainly plenty of options.
 
Lee makes Minnie ball molds in .575 and .578 as well as the round ball. For the price of them I would probably try at least one of their offerings.

If not satisfied you can get the more expensive mold and now have an extra reason to get the 58 musket that you know you need! :p
 
I do have a parker hale p53 enfield rifle musket that I need to get a mould for but from what I've read the minie ball isn't terribly accurate in the sniders although looking at the 1902 treatise on ammunition it does show the service round as being a minie style bullet but with a base plug. I'm wondering how much the base plug would affect expansion and accuracy.

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I have two sets of .575 mold casting Dies for the Snider (Sold the parker hale set). PM me for email or text. I cant post pictures until 50 posts reached. Two years ago, I picked up many reloading parts at auction outside of Ottawa.

Mark
 
Round balls create a nice pattern.
Marty's mold's are worth it. I bought a couple of them a year ago to split shipping with a friend.
 
Reminds me, I should put on the EE some hollow base .577 bullets a deceased friend of mine made. Pictures first I guess.
 
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