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I've worked up round ball loads in models 1853, 1858 and 1861.

All of them shot 3" or better at 100 meters off the bags. The 1861 (Italian made with PH bl.), with it's 24" mil spec. tapered depth rifling barrel shot the poorest, 3" for 5 shots. The issue sights are very close together and do not lend themselves to accurate fire, however, 3" wasn't too bad, considering my eye sight, etc.

The 2 band as in the 1858, shot roughly 2 to 2 1/2" with it's 32" bl., while the 1853, with it's 39" bl. did 1 1/2" to 2". These were both tested back in the mid 1970's, using Parker Hale rifles, built to the mil. specs.

It actually liked (not surprisingly) the highest loads - 120gr. 2F. In both of these rifles, I used a .575" ball and .022" denim patch.

The 1858 shot best with 85gr. 2F and the little Musketoon, did it's job with 75gr. 3F. I upped it's load to 82gr. (3drams) as it shot better on our bush trail with that load. I won a few contests with it, at Rendezvous BC a couple years back. Due to the .574" bore size in my rifle, I used a .562" ball and a .022" denim patch.

One of the other lads (74yrs.old) at our club uses a PH 1861 with 50gr. 3F GOEX and .570" ball, .018" patch. He's hard to beat when he's shooting that rifle.

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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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