When you only shoot a few rounds a year, a hundred minie balls last a loooong time, but eventually they do run out. This year's festivities marked the end of the road for the latest batch and it raises a question.
The last bag o' balls that I bought were .575", 510gr, from a Lyman 575-213 mold. How tight are they supposed to be? With a freshly cleaned barrel, I can push the ball in most of the way with my thumb, then, once the nose is below the muzzle, a few stout whacks with the ramrod will seat it. After two or three shots, it's a little tighter, as I'd expect. Does that sound right?
The rifle is great great grandpa's 1862 LG&Y contract Springfield. I used 60gr of Pyrodex RS and it was very accurate, certainly at least minute of Rebel
The gray tin cans didn't stand a chance.
