Harpers Ferry 1803 .54 cal

[wonderwolf]

About 15 years ago dad gave me my first flintlock for Christmas, a .50 cal traditions with a youth stock. The last 2-3 years I've complained some about not having a flintlock that fits me and I've in passing said how much I like the Harpers Ferry 1803 .54 flint lock.

He found one of the Navy arms built ones and gifted it to me yesterday, in some research I'm finding it has a 1:60 twist and I'm not sure if possible but can I go with other projectiles other than the round balls? I went out and shot it a bit today and found the rear sight needs a little better one installed if possible (has large scallop in it now) but other than that its a superb firearm and one that will be very special to me.

He just got a .54 flintlock canoe rifle (left hand)...which is good otherwise I would probably steal it...and neither of us has really shot a lot of .54 until well...today so we're looking at what molds we have and wondering what direction to go.

I have a round ball mold and lymans 533476 listed in the older books, he has the newer 542622 mold.

As of right now we're just doing target work, but eventually I want to wring some supreme accuracy out of this thing and do some serious hunting.

[Nit Wit]

I shoot .570 RB in mine Hand cast .562 would work. I upgraded mine with a Davis lock! .530 or .535 in a .54.

Nit Wit

[Omnivore]

The 60" twist is for round ball, and unless you're hunting Brontosaurus or something nearly as large, or charging Ursus arctos horribilis, the 54 cal round ball will be more than adequate.

Why you want more bullet is a mystery, but the early design Minies should work. They're more for killing a man, then the horse behind him, and then killing the man behind the horse, but if that's what you want then I'd say start casting Minies and see what happens. I'd like to know the results. For longer range I'd suggest a 45 or 50 cal with a fast twist and heavy, paper patched bullet, like Idaho Ron has been doing.

I've taken plenty of our large Northwest white tailed deer with 50 cal round ball and never so far have I considered the round inadequate. That's around 180 grains, while your 54 ball will be more like 225 grains. If it were mine I'd be more than satisfied shooting patched round ball. Took one this fall with a 200 grain bullet from a 44 cal, 9" pistol and it was a quick, clean kill. You hunting Grizzly, or what?

[Geezer in NH]

I shoot .570 RB in mine Hand cast .562 would work. I upgraded mine with a Davis lock!
Nit Wit
Wow How big a mallet do you use to start them?:kidding:

[wonderwolf]

It's been awhile since I've been really serious about front stuffers and this 1803 makes me want to learn more about what it can do, also curious what kind of results one would get with shot, buck , ball/buck, minies etc...its controversial if Lewis and Clark used this pattern of rifle but it still interests me to no end that they may have used something like this for most of their rocklock needs....

Forgive the picture, the suit was "The first gift of Christmas" as I'm the youngest and its my duty to complain about having to wait to open gifts in our house...so in anticipation of that my older sister had this ace in the hole to give me regrets for opening my mouth. All the elmer fudd jokes have been made so don't waste your breath. https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9VCl715rks/WGNBzBM4pJI/AAAAAAAACZI/ti06V96zmOY980dLc1TOozYnwJLE3zzjgCLcB/s640/15732062_10154795717223490_3436873475973147001_o.j pg

[Cag40Navy]

So.... I wanna use that photo for a meme. Because that is my life in a nutshell lol.

[Nit Wit]

I shot a wild bore with a .54 cal HF years ago.
NW

[texasnative46]

wonderwolf,

IF you want more "killing power" than a PRB offers, a Lee REAL bullet or a Minie will give it to you for hunting REALLY big game. For the largest bears & wild boar, I'm not sure that there is any weapon (that can be fired from the shoulder) that is "too much gun".

yours, satx

[sharps4590]

Gotta agree with Omnivore. Nothing more than a 225-230 PRB is needed in 54 cal.

[Rick Hodges]

The lighter of the two Lee R.E.A.L. bullets will work in a 60" twist if you don't drive them too fast. I use them on occasion with my Lyman Plains Rifle with slow twist and get acceptable accuracy. The RB is plenty.
I would like to say you are a braver man than I, posting that picture....you owe your sister, big time. Paybacks are in order. LOL.

[wonderwolf]

The lighter of the two Lee R.E.A.L. bullets will work in a 60" twist if you don't drive them too fast. I use them on occasion with my Lyman Plains Rifle with slow twist and get acceptable accuracy. The RB is plenty.
I would like to say you are a braver man than I, posting that picture....you owe your sister, big time. Paybacks are in order. LOL.


Eh I enjoy a good laugh from time to time, one shouldn't take themselves too seriously.

[swheeler]

The original Carrot Top!:kidding:

[fiberoptik]

Glad I wasn't drinking hot coffee ☕️ when I saw bunny [emoji195] boy pix!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk