Loobing minieballs

[Mark Daiute]

I'm new to rifled muskets but not new to muskets.

Whats the best most effective way to lube minieballs for my 1863 Springfield rifled musket?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[docone31]

A quick way, is to spread out some Crisco on a flat surfac, good and thick. Roll the balls around on it untill it fills the lands.
Another alternative is to make some lube, and finger spread it.
I make my lube and spread it. So far, so good.

[Maven]

Or you can have Buckshot make you a slightly oversized sizing die (H & I type) that you install in a Lyman or RCBS lube-sizer and lube those Minie balls without dipping your fingers in Crisco or something similar.

[jhrosier]

Lyman used to make a lube die for the 450 for .58s
I have one floating around here somewhere.
No idea if it is still offered.

Jack

[jhrosier]

Lyman used to make a lube die for the 450 for .58s
I have one floating around here somewhere.
No idea if it is still offered.

Jack

[Mark Daiute]

A lube die for the .58 sounds terrific.

Mark

[Rebel Dave]

Lube dies for Minnies are available from www.northeasttradeco.com and lodgewoodmfgco. Tell them what lube sizer you have and the diammeter you want. Gennerally .001 underbore size is good on a minnie.

Rebel Dave

[Baron von Trollwhack]

For a long time I have dip lubed my minie' balls in hot lube to the ogive, set them aside to cool, then sized them in a ram & die sizer. I like Northeast Trader's dies especially. The fit of the naked ball to the bore is crucial to accuracy at a distance. Get an oversized minie' and carefully start it in the oiled barrel and gently seat it to the breech of the clean barrel. Pull it with a ball screw or blow it out with an air nozzle but catch it so as not to deform it. Northeast can check it in several dies and give you one where the ball is a snug, lubed fit. A quality bullet lube will alow a lot of shooting with such a snug bullet and you will have the best accuracy that can be had. Work up a load for ffg or fffg depending on how the gun fouls in your area. A brand new barrel will wear a little in the first few hundred rounds too. BvT

[Baron von Trollwhack]

For a long time I have dip lubed my minie' balls in hot lube to the ogive, set them aside to cool, then sized them in a ram & die sizer. I like Northeast Trader's dies especially. The fit of the naked ball to the bore is crucial to accuracy at a distance. Get an oversized minie' and carefully start it in the oiled barrel and gently seat it to the breech of the clean barrel. Pull it with a ball screw or blow it out with an air nozzle but catch it so as not to deform it. Northeast can check it in several dies and give you one where the ball is a snug, lubed fit. A quality bullet lube will alow a lot of shooting with such a snug bullet and you will have the best accuracy that can be had. Work up a load for ffg or fffg depending on how the gun fouls in your area. A brand new barrel will wear a little in the first few hundred rounds too.

Going bact to at least 1967 I have never known Lyman to make a .575" or like sizing die for their sizers, The largest I've ever seen by them was .515" A ram type or some other push through is your only option.

BvT

[jhrosier]

....Going bact to at least 1967 I have never known Lyman to make a .575" or like sizing die for their sizers, The largest I've ever seen by them was .515"...

http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/photos/5/590147/2786028/lyman580lube-vi.jpg

bought this in the early 70s, haven't got around to using it

Jack

[cwskirmisher]

You willing to part with it?

[Old Ironsights]

Here's what I use. It's for a .50, but anyone with boring/threading skills could make one. I bought it from a guy who was making these in the 70s...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/IMG_5831.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/IMG_5832.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/IMG_5834-1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/IMG_5835.jpg

[oldhickory]

I have one of the Lyman dies also, but would much rather pan lube and use a straight through die with a collar supported in a vice. Just drive em through with a hickory rod...

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Thanks for showing that Lyman .580. That is a rare item. I'll have to adjust my understanding of the Sizing machine they make. BvT

[cwskirmisher]

Most skirmishers (competition shooters of Civil War era arms) dip their minnies. Melt your lube in a double boiler over very low heat until liquid, then turn off the heat. Dip your minnie base down into the lube up to the top grease groove, then set it down on wax paper to solidify (only takes a minute). Load your powder charge into your quick-charge tube, and stick the minnie nose first into the tube. You are ready to go. Some load the tube first, stick in the minne, then dip and set aside. The order you do it in is personal preference.

[Mark Daiute]

So really, dip-lubing is adequate? I thought the precision lubing of the .58 lubing die might make for more accurate shooting due to precise nature of the die and since the inside of the skirt would remain empty.

In loading 45-70's with 405 grain hollow based boolits it is essential to keep the base clean and empty.

Thanks all,

Mark

[Buckshot]

http://www.fototime.com/2BFF1B48924C27A/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/0BC1EA517F84626/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/632329BF4E18A4B/standard.jpg

...........This is usually what I make for folks wanting to lube 58's or larger conicals.

...............Buckshot

[cwskirmisher]

So really, dip-lubing is adequate? I thought the precision lubing of the .58 lubing die might make for more accurate shooting due to precise nature of the die and since the inside of the skirt would remain empty.

In loading 45-70's with 405 grain hollow based boolits it is essential to keep the base clean and empty.

Thanks all,

Mark

Yes, dip lubing is quite adequate. Dip lubing does not get lube in the hollow base since there is air trapped there when you dip. Some folks fill the base with lube too, and their performance is also indisputable - it's all in what your gun likes. If you are going to load a round and not fire it right away (as in hunting), I would leave the base cavity empty.