1853 Nepalese Enfield

[RWMC]

Attempted to load a Lee .575 improved minie ball in my 1853 Enfield made in Nepal. The bullet only went down into the muzzle up to the second grease groove, and then it stopped. The bore is in very good plus condition with no pitting or corrosion that would make the bullet stop the way it did. I then decided to use a short wooden dowel rod and a non-marring hammer and drive the bullet further down the barrel. It was very, very tight for the first 5 inches, and then I was able to push the bullet the rest of the way down the barrel by hand. Has anyone else heard of having these Nepal 1853 muskets with an undersized bore? I plan on slugging the bore with one of the Lee improved minie balls so that I will have definite measurements in the future. Thank you for any information you can share with me that could be of assistance.

 

[Curator]

The original 1853 Enfield rifle had "progressive" rifling. It was rifled with grooves that were deeper at the breech end and lands that were taller at the muzzle end. What you describe would have been right, tight at the muzzle and loose as the bullet is pushed towards the breech, Good luck with your Nepalese Enfield! My original "Tower" Enfield loves the Lee "improved" minie bullet with 45 grains of FFFg black powder.

 

[RWMC]

The original 1853 Enfield rifle had "progressive" rifling. It was rifled with grooves that were deeper at the breech end and lands that were taller at the muzzle end. What you describe would have been right, tight at the muzzle and loose as the bullet is pushed towards the breech, Good luck with your Nepalese Enfield! My original "Tower" Enfield loves the Lee "improved" minie bullet with 45 grains of FFFg black powder.

I guess I always thought that minie balls were fairly easy to load, and we're basically almost dropped down inside the bore. Thank you for your information.

 

[RecoilRob]

Are you sizing the bullets? If so, you might need to go down a bit smaller to get them to load easily, or if you're not sizing...you need to start. The hollow base will expand and grab the rifling when it's fired, so size it down until it loads with a thumb and enjoy.

 

[RWMC]

Are you sizing the bullets? If so, you might need to go down a bit smaller to get them to load easily, or if you're not sizing...you need to start. The hollow base will expand and grab the rifling when it's fired, so size it down until it loads with a thumb and enjoy.

I am looking into a sizing die offered by the good folks at Lodgewood which will size it down to .574. Beyond that, if that does not size it enough, then I will just have to use the Lee .562 Roundball mould and a .010 patch. The rifling twist is slow, ( at least 1:66 ) so it should perform decent. Thank you for taking the time to post your information. I do appreciate it.

 

[Erwan]

Hi,
Enfield 3 band Pattern 1853 eats Minie ball and you must resize this ball just for that the ball can seat by his own weight or with the weight of a light ramrod over it.
The bullet must be greased and the air must exit by the grooves.
Then you can seat the Minie pretty good on the powder charge without forcing...

The Minie is the most delicate to load and shoot.

When about Indian barrel they aren't the best but good enough if you don't make any tournament whit them...

 

[4v50 Gary]

You could also look into a prichett ball mould.

 

[RWMC]

You could also look into a prichett ball mould.

Thank you Gary! After doing some research on your suggestion, it seems like the Pritchett .550 paper patch bullet mould by NOE will be the answer to my loading problems for my 1853 Nepal Enfield. Thanks to all who offered information. I really appreciate your help and time.

 

[rodinal220]

Try the British Military Forums.

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/