New Englander Question

[snicker]

I have one of those New Englanders with the plastic stock and 24" barrel.  My question is do you think it will shoot PRB with any kind of accuracy or is the barrel too short for that.  I know, plastic!!, but can't afford anything better at the moment and this gun was almost free.  Anyhow I got it for something to play with until I can get something a little better.  If it shoots okay might consider a walnut stock for it.  Thanks for any info on this gun.

[Gregory]

If it's a 50 cal try 60-70-80 gr FFG loads with a PRB and see how it does.  
I had a New Englander 50 cal that shot Buffalo Bullets ball-ets well, but didn't care for a PRB.
My 50 cal Renegade 1-48" twist shoots pretty good with 70 gr FFG and a PRB.
Try some different patch thicknesses also, could make a big difference.

[lonewolf5348]

Plastic stock well if you want a walnut one just let me know
Getting back to the gun I had a 54 cal. would drive tacks with RB'S
My load was 90 grains of goex 3f 230 Hornady a wad under the patch ball.I favor beeswax and lard and walmart pillow material(blue and white material)

[Slamfire]

My $60 CVA Bobcat, with plastic stock, and 26" barrel with 48" twist, is very accurate with .490 prbs and 0.017" pillow tickin' patches coated with bore butter propelled with 75 grains of FFg Wano, ignited with either CCI or Remington caps. It shoots the 245 grain Ballets nearly as well.  
I bought a 250 grain .50 REAL mold but haven't got any pure lead to cast.    :oops:

[snicker]

Thanks for the info.  It is a 50 cal with a 1-48 twist.  I sort of think the short 24" barrel might be a factor for PRB but will give it a try anyhow and see what happens.  If nothing else it will probably shoot a conical pretty good.

Lonewolf, I have been looking at your stock and it is a nice piece of wood.  Only problem is my funds are really limited at this time.  One thing about TC is they have some nice walnut.

[Landngroove]

You should absolutely be able to shoot PRB's from your T/C New Englander, with it's 24" barrel,  1 in 48" twist, with accuracy. My T/C White Mountain Carbines with thier 21" barrel, 1 in 48" twist, .54 caliber, shoot PRB's with excellent accuracy. I shoot 80 grains of FFFG Goex,  a .530" RB, with .018" pillow ticking patch. Also my Lyman Deerstalker, .54 caliber, 1 in 48" twist, 24" barrel is deadly with  100 grains Goex FFG, .530" RB, with .018" pillow ticking patch. My T/C High Plains Sporter, .50 caliber, 1 in 48" twist, 24" barrel is probably my most accurate ML with a PRB. 80 grains Goex FFFG, .490" RB, .018" pillow ticking patch. These ML's shoot PRB's so well, I have not even bothered to try any other projectile with them.

[Stan in SC]

My New Englander in .54 will not shoot anything but round balls with any accuracy.I tried everything.With round balls it is capable of very good accuracy.
MIne also has the synthetic stock which I like.
You seem to be "looking down" on the New Englander you have.In which case no results you obtain with it are going to be satisfactory.This model is one of the best muzzle loaders made.The synthetic stock is almost indestructible and is impervious to dings and dents like wood is.I prefer it for the ease of up keep.These are excellent rifles.Don't "look down your nose" at them.

[smokepolehall]

Its a very good ML, so it has a synthetic stock. I have the SS model called a GreyHawk in a 50 cal. Will it shoot a prb, ya bet yer life. Goex 3f or Pyro P 75-100gr's even 2f up to 110gr's. Coffee cup at 100 yds. don't stand a chance off the bench. Mine will also  shoot maxi-balls, Ball-ets 270's Real's 320gr's. Its fer sure a keeper and i am going to get a N Eng. 12ga. bbl. fer it also, look out Turkeys!

[slayer]

i own a N/E 12 Gauge, nice gun, light and balances very well. I custom ordered mine with the Cylinder bore barrel from Fox Ridge Outfitters. Once the Cylinder bore barrels are gone, they aren`t making anymore, only with screw in choke tubes, I don`t care for those. All I use is patched round balls or ball-ets, either one is great. Jack.

[rimfirehunter]

I have a wood stocked New Englander .50cal and the only projectiles I have shot in it are PRB's and 240gr Buffalo Bal-ets.  My normal range load is 45-50grs Pyrodex RS and PRB, hunting load is 75grs RS under the PRB.  At 50 yards this is accurate enough to shoot 3"x5" Index Cards from a standing off hand position, at 75 yards the hunting load averages about 2.5" for a 3 shot group from a rest.  The Bal-ets do ok with 80grs Pyrodex RS out to 100 yards.

The trick to shooting RPB's is finding the right lube, patch and charge combination for the range you want to shoot at.  I try and limit my PRB shooting to no more than 75 yards with .50cal rifles because my charges rarely exceed the middle of the load charts.

rimfirehunter

[dhnut1973]

My .50 cal New Englander was free from my father-in-law and it to has the plastic stock. I would have preferred wood stock for a more traditional look as well, but it was FREE. Having said that, I love this gun. It has gone to the woods 5 times and has killed 2 deer. It shoots prb and t/c maxi-balls great. I usually shoot 80-90 gr of pyrodex.