Fine Tuning the 1861 Springfield Rifle.

Whilst I was fine tuning my hunting load, I thought I'd run some of my close range, fast loading, wolf-repellent paper cartridges through the rifle that I had made up for my little .58 short-snorter carbine. I was going to shoot them off the bench at 25, but then realized why do that, and guess at the spread at 40-50 yards, instead of shooting at 40 yards and getting a better idea of the accuracy.

So, this was shot at 40-45, but I had to sit with my back against a tree, and rest the gun on my knees. Not super steady with that long heavy barrel. I'd say it's pretty good wolf repellent at 50 yards, (3" spread) the furthest I would shoot at a wolf, and only if I was sure it was closing in with evil intent. Anyhow, in the event of the whole dang pack closing in with evil intent, being able to load and fire quickly could be a plus. !!!!

The cartridges are simply a ball in a paper tube, (grocery paper-bag paper) 80 grains of 3fg, the end folded over and the ball end dipped in pure melted bee's wax. They load easy in a fouled barrel. After pouring in the powder I did not turn the cartridge around, or tear off the excess paper, just rammed it down with the "tail" or tube attached. Try them, you'll like them. The cartridge on the top of the plate is a double-ball load. I didn't try one, but they shoot very well in the carbine.

Tear off end, pour in powder, ram the whole thing down, cap with the capper hanging around my neck, and fire-in-the-hole! Fast.

On my hunting load, I discovered last year that loading the REAL without any wad, it shot much better. I was loading a wool wad dipped in bee's wax over the powder, and a wonder wad over that. Today I tried just the wool/wax wad without the wonder wad, and it shot a little better yet. Rifle does not like the wonder wad. My Jeager loves them. !! Them rifles is so fussy about what they like.

No, but I shall take one later!

Not worried, or paranoid, just aware and taking precautions. Just thinking things through. Dang, one could argue that a muzzle loader is a poor choice, period. In fact, you are correct!

Minimizing the risks of my poor choice. It pays to be aware, and to have a plan. ! We've had three wolf attacks on humans now that I know of. Or wolf behavior indicating that an attack was immanent. In one instance, the guy shot one of the wolves, and the rest scattered. I think/believe that is most typical. I don't anticipate having to shoot several charging wolves. ? I think that at least, it would cause the pack to pause, (giving pause to their paws) giving some time to reload. I also always carry a side arm. And a K-Bar strapped to my right leg, just below the knee. I'm ready to rock and roll, root-hog and die.

That's my plan anyhow, and as far as choices go, just like the grizzly bear factor, I choose to enjoy hunting with muzzle loaders, and choosing to die on the mountain, if that be my fate, rather than on the side of a highway or in the nursing home, so be it!! Not that I get a choice.

But no kidding, those things load super-fast.

There ya go 1kperday. Don't know where or when I got this, other than a long time ago. It was three times as long, I cut it down to hold about ten caps.

WHAT? Me worry?

Well, again, not truly worried, just aware of the possibility. I may be wrong but I'm running on the assumption that if one drops one or two wolves, the pack is going to cease and desist. ! Of course I don't know that, but that was the case in our last attack, only one or two years ago. I think your advice on the sidearm is correct, but another assumption I go on, which may certainly be incorrect, is that putting a bullet in one from something less than a .357 will put the discouragement on Mr.Wolf. A .22 won't drop, or even kill a wolf, but again would get their attention. I think.

Another of my assumptions, possibly wrong, is that a wolf pack is not going to charge in at full speed, from what I know, they circle, probe, and observe their prey before moving in for the kill. I think this would allow me to pop off a couple with my fast-loads.

Or not! Perhaps I will not live through my next hunting trip! Instead of "has anyone seen the kid" it will be "has anyone seen the Ugly Sauce"? Not that anyone would notice.

Nope, "muzzle loader" and "fast" still don't mix. ! However, using the round ball cartridge is "faster" than my normal hunting load. Or "more fast" or "not as slow". Powder, wax wad, short start the bullet into the bore, ram it down and cap. !!

I sure wish I had an original 1861, would be a lot lighter than my Armi-Sport.

Yes, half-fast, or maybe half-you know what. !!! I think it's great, works well. I'm confident and not worried. Three shots per minute at least. I'll have to time it.

I agree. In a rifled bore, the accuracy is surprising. I first used them (in grocery bag paper, with the ball end dipped in bee's wax) in my Plains Pistol, not expecting any accuracy over ten yards if that. They shoot just fine out to 25, have not tried further. Then tried the double and single ball loads in my short stubby little .58 carbine, (chopped "Zouave") and those shot great. Minimum spread on the double ball loads. Then really surprised to get minute of paper plate at 50 yards out of the '61.

I made some for my .62" flintlock too, but haven't tried them. With a flintlock, even faster as you can prime from the cartridge, close the pan and ram it all down and be ready to go. Anyhow, I like to carry a half dozen or so with whichever long gun, "just in case".

I have paper cartridges for my Remington New Model Army in Navy caliber, which I carry in reserve in case I ever need the fastest reload possible. But for most shooting or reloading even in the field, I use a civil-war-type cap pouch with lubed bullets in it, and a flask with measured spout. That is pretty fast, throw a charge, grab a bullet, ram down, and cap the gun with a capper. Half-fast for sure.

I like the way you think. Yes, screw the wolves and the donkey they rode in on. Just between you and I, I often carry my 1858 New Model Army in Navy caliber. It's my "lucky" gun, (so far, the last two deer I've got was when I was packing it) and loaded with 140ish grain slugs over 24 grains of 4fg I'm quite confident in it as wolf repellent. It is very powerful. It is also quite accurate, to put it mildly. I also carry some cartridges for it, and it can be reloaded pretty quickly, especially with a capper around my neck. However, I am reluctant to mention it, as I'm sure it would be considered an equally poor choice. Or the worst choice!

I do have an 1860, but I can carry more slugs (at the same weight) with the .36". So I don't take the 1860 very often. I think the .36" is a little more gentle on small game, should I ever need to live off the land. And, the New Model Army is 100% reliable, the 1860 about 97%.

But my thoughts exactly. If my reload of the rifle does not come in time, I can pull my pistol. Or start whistling Dixie. If the Big Medicine can't take care of business, and six shots from an accurate revolver doesn't do it, and the K-Bar has no effect, then perhaps my time has come. !