Range Report - 2-band Enfield

[TheWall]

This morning I took my Armi Sport, 2-band Enfield out to the range. I did some good shooting at 25 yards, 50 yards and 100 yards.

Except for one shot at 50 yards I took standing, all shots were seated from a bench rest.

I used about 57 grains of Goex FFG with an overshot card and a swaged Enfield bullent lubed in the base.

Here is my target at 25 yards:




Here is my target at 50 yards:




And here is my target at 100 yards:




At 100 yards she was shooting high and to the left. I got my only bullseye at 100 yards, but shot decent groups at 25 and 50 yards. It's been a while since I shot this rifle and any deviations are my fault, not the Enfield's. Only had time for four shots from 100 yards -- not enough time to dial her in.

All in all a very fun morning!

My friend shot his Armi Sport 1861 Springfield for the first time in years and did very well.

 

[Das Jaeger]

Glad you got

out and got to shoot , always a good thing
Makes for a nice day , good for the soul

Jaeger

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Union Gen.John Sedgewick on Enfield Accuracy

In a rather ironic turn of events, Sedgwick fell at the beginning of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, on May 9, 1864. His corps was probing skirmish lines ahead of the left flank of Confederate defenses and he was directing artillery placements. Confederate sharpshooters were about 1,000 yards (910 m) away and their shots caused members of his staff and artillerymen to duck for cover. Sedgwick strode around in the open and was quoted as saying, "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Although ashamed, his men continued to flinch and he repeated, "I'm ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Just seconds later he fell forward with a bullet hole below his left eye. I believe that also happened in Virginia.

 

[1KPerDay]

What's the purpose of the overshot card? I thought the point of minie balls was to allow the gas to press outward on the inside and seal against the riflings? Or is the enfield bullet different? beautiful rifle btw

 

[TheWall]

Here is a picture of the bullet:



It does not have grooves, so you have to place lube in the base. The overshot card keeps the lube from the powder. I coat each bullet with Rooster Jacket -- it's easier than paper patching and protects the bore from leading.

I have found this combo to be very effective in my Enfield.

 

[Das Jaeger]

How

exactly does that keep the bullet from leading the barrel ?
Are ya sayin the card takes off the lead as it travels behind the leading bullet ? Now that I can grasp , but if I am off here , please inform me .

Jaeger

 

[1KPerDay]

I believe he said that coating the bullet in rooster jacket keeps the barrel from leading. The card apparently keeps the lube from fouling the powder.

 

[Das Jaeger]

Thank you

Me not paying attention , ooops :banghead:

Jaeger

 

[Ratdog68]

Me not paying attention , ooops :banghead:

Jaeger

Don't feel bad... I'm not even familiar with some of the terminology with these types of loads. C'est la vie !

 

[Ginormous]

That Enfield bullet definitely needs spoilers.

 

[TomADC]

Great way to spend a day, good looking rifle also.
Now I'm a little concerned when I checked my stace of mini balls could only find a few so I ordered .58 cal Enfield bullets, of course there wasn't a picture, I hope these shoot okay in my Zouve, maybe I need some rooster stuff?

 

[Hellgate]

I'd shoot that gun without the card to see if there's a better group. You could put a little wax paper disc on the base which would separate the lube from the powder but allow the lube to melt out some and lube the barrel.

 

[badpenny]

i'm shooting the same bullet with 60 grains of 2f and not having any problem with leading.i fill the base with bore butter load it and shoot.oh it's an armisport 3 band enfield.

 

[badpenny]

Back to the range this morning a replica 61 Springfield,doesn't seem to like that minnie ball as much as the 460 cast.Funny how a musket or rifle can prefer one weight or bullet style over another.Shooting a man sized target,hit him with all of them at 100 yards,nothing even resembleing a group though.Too derned hot and humid to mess with sand bags.Those ancestors of ours that fought in weather like this wearing wool uniforms must have been some tough old boys,even the yankees