Firing a Pattern 1853 Enfield

[bones92]

Finally fired the Pattern 1853 today. I can see why so many like shooting ACW reproduction rifles. Fun and accurate.

Once the bore got some fouling she settled into a great group. The cluster of shots at 3 o'clock were a continuous string. 40 grain 3Fg. Finally settled on a 6 o'clock hold (where I'm pointing). After some fouling shots (the flyers you see) she started printing at 3 o'clock. I borrowed some powder (same GOEX 3Fg, but from a whole different lot). She printed the 2 or 3 at 6 o'clock in the black, then went back to tearing out a bigger hole at 3 o'clock.

Once I reposition the front sight, I think I can put them into the 10 ring all day at 25 yards, and perhaps at 50, as well.

 

[Red Marley]

Sweet! What distance? Were you at the Lafayette Longrifles shoot? I have a 2-band Enfield and a musketoon, hope to shoot there sometime

 

[bones92]

25 yards, just for seeing how it does. Yes, at Lafayette Longrifles. Check their website for the schedule of upcoming shoots.

 

[Dave951]

Now for a set of competition sights and come on over to the North South Skirmish Association for some real fun!

 

[bones92]

Dave, have you ever adjused the factory sights on these? I need to drift the front sight over 1/8". I think it is just soldered on.

 

[Mightyox04]

Sweet rifle. What caliber? I assume your shooting a patched round ball.
They said in the civil war that Berdans men had to qualify by hitting a 10" X 10" piece of wood 10 times at 200 yards. Ive always wanted to give that try with a similar rifle. They said the south had the best shots and that most regular CS infantry could shoot better than Berdans men.

 

[bones92]

It was .577 Minie ball, about 500gr, and 40 grain GOEX FFFg. I would like to try PRB in one of these someday, but with such a slow twist, it would probably.

I would like to get a reproduction Whitworth someday... or a repro Berdan,for that matter. The 1850s through 1870s were such a transitional time in small arms development. The knowledge and innovation flourished during this period. I'm also a fan of the relatively short window when BPCR rifles ruled, before the advent of smokeless powder. The Trapdoor, Remington Rolling Block, 1871 Mauser, 1866 Chassepot... each an amalgamation of new design but using the same old black powder.

 

[Mightyox04]

I saw a ferguson rifle at the chantilly va gun show. From that time on its been on the want list. I love all guns but even a poor boy long rifle has more class than anything they've came up with in the last hundred years. Im restoring a reproduction 1851 colt ball and cap. Its missing the trigger spring and looked like it was left in the rain since 1851. Someone soldered over the front bead and made a solder front sight then rubbed file marks onto thw barrel. Anyway im hoping to get her back right.

 

[Dave951]

Dave, have you ever adjused the factory sights on these? I need to drift the front sight over 1/8". I think it is just soldered on.

This is a common problem on repros. For competition we solder on a new front post more conducive to accurate shooting since we don't need bayonets. For rears most guys just add a small piece of metal to the rear and either drill a peep or file a new notch. We've been trying to get my dad's P53 to shoot and have tried a number of types and sizes of minies, but none will even begin to group. The gun seems to pattern and that pattern centers about a 18 inches to the right at 50yds. When we find a minie that works, I strongly suspect the group will hit about that distance over. Since this will be a competition musket, reworking the sights will absolutely be the next on the agenda.

About the only way to fix the stock sights is to file the rear notch a bit. Sorry, but that's about the only way. I'd suggest getting a spare from Lodgewood or S&S to install before attempting it.

 

[bones92]

The front sight base seems soldered to the barrel. I would really only need to sweat it off and reposition it about an eighth of an inch over.

 

[Dave951]

That would work. Use silver solder. The plumbing stuff isn't strong enough. You can probably get a silver solder kit from a decently equipped hobby shop.