>577 Snider load

[onerifle]

I have some 500 gr cast bullets in Jameison brass with 20 gr Unique and kapok filler - - are they safe to shoot in an 1860's Snider 3 band ?

Thanks

[mac60]

If you have a MK1 Snider you may be asking for trouble.

[JeffinNZ]

I would be inclined to stick with Pyrodex of black powder if you can source it.

[pworley1]

That is a lot of unique for that rifle.

[onerifle]

It is a Mk II*

[craig61a]

Check out this thread:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ghlight=Snider

[smkummer]

Here are the loads I gathered from sources using Lyman's 585213 bullet. 13 grains green dot, 13 grains unique, 30-35 grains 5744, 30-32 grains 4759, 30 grains 4198 (I could not get this load to pressurize even with Dacron holding the charge against the primer-this is from cartridges of the world). This last load is using 24 gauge plastic hulls-22 grains trail boss and a 500 grain bullet. The only load I have tried other than the 4198 is equivalent of pyrodex to the 70 grain charge (I believe it was about 55 grain pyrodex) and it worked fine. The gun is the last of the sniders and was not a conversion, its not my gun and I believe it was a MKIII made in 1871 or so.

[Stoats]

20gn Unique seems a lot for anything, let alone a Snider.......

[mac60]

It is a Mk II*

A Mk II would be a conversion with an iron barrel. A Mk III was not a conversion and lockup was different they also used a steel barrel. In the link craig61a gave I didn't see mention of whether it was a Mk III or not. I'm sure buckshot wouldn't have been shooting smokeless through it if it wasn't safe.

[SOFMatchstaff]

I use a Lee 478gr minie that gets squooze up to .595 from .578, smeared with a combination of toilet wax ring and butter flavored Crisco. Seated in a CBC modified case with 12g of Greendot , LP primer, no fillers, and it shoots to the point of aim and right at the velocity that it should, around 1250fps, and no extraction issues... I usually load a day or so before the intended use, so as not to risk powder contamination, the heat here can get to be an issue ..

[Gunor]

SOFMatchstaff,

I use a Lee 478gr minie that gets squooze up to .595 from .578 - what's that mean in simple terms?

Geoff in Oregon

[SOFMatchstaff]

Just bump the diameter up .015 or .020, from the as cast dia. of .578+- to the .595 + dia. I had the mold, and made a die for the CH Swage O Matic , a base punch that fits the hollow base and a nose punch that's flat or rounded. The lead is soft enough to expand to the larger die dia. It shortens the Minie a bit and works great. Seat it into the case and lightly crimp right at the begining of the ogive. I use the Lee dies 1 1/4 X 12 in the Ammo Master , cheep($84) but they work OK for this low volume round.

[Gunor]

Thanks for the explanation...I am still round balling it with .595 and plastic hulls..