I just purchased a reproduction 1853 enfield. I have about 30 lbs of 20 parts lead to 1 part tin alloy which I use to make bullets for black powder cartridges. I know that pure lead is generally recommended for making minies, but can I get away with using the 20-1 alloy I already have? It would be nice if in the future I could use the same lead for cartridges and minie balls. Would it make sense to change to a 30-1 or 40-1 alloy next time I order a bunch of lead?
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Casting 58 cal minie balls with 20-1 alloy.
- Thread starter chasep255
- Start date
I just purchased a reproduction 1853 enfield.
Do not cast alloy minie balls for a black powder musket. Use plain soft lead. Do tell us how your experience is with your alloy minie balls. I suspect you are going to have problems getting the balls to seal, and then, you will be blowing the skirts once they exit the rifle.
That's one potential problem. The harder alloy is also more brittle. The skirts may lose portions at exit from muzzle blast. I suppose you could always drill muzzle brake holes into the barrel near the muzzle to drop the pressure more, but that kind of messes with the authenticity of the reproduction, not to mention creating a potential cleaning nightmare. However, if the barrel is long enough, you may be OK.
Another potential problem is the harder material failing to be impressed into the rifling hard enough at the inside corners make a complete enough seal. In that event you'll get bad leading as well as poor accuracy.
Another potential problem is the harder material failing to be impressed into the rifling hard enough at the inside corners make a complete enough seal. In that event you'll get bad leading as well as poor accuracy.