I am shortly to take possession of a new to me Parker Hale 61 Enfield Short Rile/Musketoon and I have some bullet questions. I've searched a lot and read a lot but I still have a couple of questions.
I find myself in New Hampshire, the winters here are quite different from GA and TN. I'm a competitive shooter in long range rifles but that pastime ends here in the early fall and doesn't resume until late April or May, but i have found that there is a "primitive biathalon" series in the region that requires the use of a non-inline muzzle loader, thus addition of the Enfield to my collection. (Basically you snowshoe around a course and shoot steel targets at given points. Time bonuses for hits. )
I have experience casting for my C. Sharps BPCR in 45-70, so other than a mold(s) I'm all set for casting. (I use a Wagge pot and dipper for my 400gr and 535gr BPCR bullets) I'm planning to cast with an RCBS Skirmisher mold (unless someone has a better suggestion). From what I've read it has a thinner skirt shoots well and as a bonus uses less lead. I'm waiting until I get the rifle to see what the bore measures before I order the mold. (this is just what I've gathered from the WWW) I can get set up to size bullets if I need to but I'd rather get them the right size to start with.
Suggestions for or against?
For my BPCR shooting shooting either Schutzen or Swiss powder. I've currently got a supply of FFg and 1.5Fg in those. I get the impression that FFFg is the favorite of the N-SSA crowd, but I'll use what I have for the time being.
Lube. I use SPG lube for my BPCR. I don't see it mentioned anywhere in the reading I've done regarding shooting muzzle loaders with minie's. I've seen the recommendations for crisco/tallow and beeswax mixtures.
Does anyone have any suggestions/experience for a lube for temperatures in the range of 0 to 25 degrees F. (peanut oil turns solid in my garage up here) ??