I have an original Brazilian Light Minie Rifle with a terrible bore. It is evident the rifle has, at some point in its past, been "cleaned up" which included light sanding of the stock and what must have been pretty rigorous cleaning of rust given the fact that the area around the bolster, and the hammer, are heavily pitted but clean. But it still looks nice and old and original, with deep "character" that in my opinion no modern repro can match.
I have shot it but only once have I gotten a good group, after the bore had been fouled with about 20 shots. Until it gets to that point, it's all over the place, Minie's tumbling, etc.
I want to reline it so as to make it a nice shooter. I figure it's no museum piece given even the lightest restoration, and with a bad bore, it's no shooter.
I believe the original rifling was 3 groove, .577", 1:78, like an Enfield '53. However, most modern repros are 5 groove, 1:48", which is supposedly more accurate and will stabilize commonly used Minie's of all types. I think the 1861 Navy Enfield had that groove/twist, but not others.
I'd appreciate thoughts & opinions as to which to pick: the original 1:78, or the 1:48 twist. Or something else.
Thanks in advance for thoughts, comments & opinions.
I have shot it but only once have I gotten a good group, after the bore had been fouled with about 20 shots. Until it gets to that point, it's all over the place, Minie's tumbling, etc.
I want to reline it so as to make it a nice shooter. I figure it's no museum piece given even the lightest restoration, and with a bad bore, it's no shooter.
I believe the original rifling was 3 groove, .577", 1:78, like an Enfield '53. However, most modern repros are 5 groove, 1:48", which is supposedly more accurate and will stabilize commonly used Minie's of all types. I think the 1861 Navy Enfield had that groove/twist, but not others.
I'd appreciate thoughts & opinions as to which to pick: the original 1:78, or the 1:48 twist. Or something else.
Thanks in advance for thoughts, comments & opinions.
