1853 Enfield bedding results

[bagdadjoe]

Here's a composite of the last three targets.  The one on the right is after my bedding job today. Seems to have tightened it up some.  I think maybe a different bullet might be in order. This is the Lee "original" 500gr. I need to get one that fits a scosh tighter in my barrel...
Not "match grade" by any means but a turn in the right direction methinks.  All targets at 50 yds. The point of aim on the left one is on the right circle...

[coyotejoe]

It seems with minies bigger is nearly always better for accuracy until you reach "too big to load", then you get a size die made to size it down to "just right". That may sound silly but actually most serious shooters prefer a mold to cast a couple of thousandths oversize so they can be sized down to exactly uniform diameter, the sized bullets being slightly more consistent. If the bullet falls freely down a clean bore it probably could stand to be larger. It's hard to measure musket bores since they all seem to be rifled with an odd number of lands and grooves, generally 3 or 5, so you can't measure from land to land. If you can find a local gunsmith or machinist who has a set of pin gauges in the right range you can get an accurate measurement of bore size and thus know exactly what size die to order, trial and error can get expensive.
 I assume you do a careful visual examination of your cast minies, discarding any with obvious flaws, but beyond that do you sort them by weight? That can weed out internal flaws which aren't visible. It is difficult to cast perfect pure lead minies and useless to shoot flawed minies. I haven't cast minies in years but remember I used to throw more back into the pot than I kept.

[bagdadjoe]

Thanks... I do weigh all my bullets and sort them accordingly.  I chucked about a couple dozen back in the lastest session, mainly for little pinholes inside the hollow base.  I'm thinking about another mold, maybe the 575213 Lyman or the 575213 PH.  The Lees fit pretty good in that an unlubed bullet will barely fall and a lubed bullet will stay at the muzzle until the ramrod is dropped in and it will all go down under the weight of the ramrod.  I'm going to play with my powder charges a while first.  I'm still very early into this one.  I need to work the lock for smoothness and lighten the trigger pull if possible, and I understand an Ampco nipple makes a difference.  I also have some RWS caps I haven't tried yet.  But, I don't think I'll change anything until I shoot another 25-30 shots to see if I can tune me in.
I do have a set of inside pin thingys and a micrometer. The only thing is, how do you know when you order a mold what the actual size "as cast" will be? Oh, and I still haven't determined the twist on this one, apparently there was some variation.  Might be a good place to start before I order a heavier/lighter mold.

[coyotejoe]

You're right, a mold will cast only "close" to the designated size, actual diameter will depend on the actual mold, the temperature of the mold and of the lead and the purity of the lead, and on casting technique. That is why it is best to use a mold which casts a bit oversize, sizing them down to an exact consistent diameter. From your description it does seem like the mold you are using is a pretty good fit so maybe you should work with it for a while.
 Although the "standard load" for military use was around 60 grains of powder, many serious competition shooters like much lighter powder charges, in the 40-50 grain range. Small changes in the powder charge weight and powder type can make a big difference in accuracy.
Keep us apprised of your results. I find it interesting that sources like the History Channel and gun writers who have never fired a minie all speak of how the Civil War rifled muskets were "accurate to 300 yards". Well yes, they can be accurate, with highly developed loads for the individual fine tuned rifle, but as you are learning, it can take some work to get there. For the ordinary issued musket with standard issue "one-size-fits-all" paper cartridges, I wouldn't bet money on hitting a man size target at 100 yards and after the bore is fouled I wouldn't bet much money at 50 yards.
 I would however, bet you can get better accuracy instantly, from the very first load you try with a cloth patched .570" ball. They weren't designed to be round ball guns but they do shoot a patched ball quite nicely and without all of the fiddling and experimentation required to find an accurate load with minies. Try a .570" ball, spit lubed pillow ticking patch, and 80 grains of 2f Goex or Pyrodex RS.
Keep plugging away, keep us informed on your progress, good luck and have fun!
OH, and don't go back to Bagdad Joe!