What folks who only dabble the minie world don’t understand is that the minie was the last word in muzzleloading tech along with the Whitworth. It was developed as a system to operate under certain parameters. Now add 150 years of the mists of time and generations of hearsay and we have what you mention in regards to the minie. Now for the TRUTH of the matter.
Carbine is correct. I shoot in the same competition organization (against Carbine
) but we still exchange ideas and advice. I bought an 1862 Colt contract repop from him that will put 5 shots into one hole at 50yds. IF you stick with what we’ve found in North South Skirmish competition regarding technique for accuracy, these guns can shoot better than many modern ones. Both my Parker Hales are sub 2moa at 100yds.
Going back to system design, IF you get the lube right and in balance with the powder charge level AND use a quality cap in a gun in good condition, many shots can be fired with good or better accuracy without wiping. Example, in our muzzleloading instruction, I was asked how many shots could be fired without wiping. At that point, the gun had already been fired about a dozen times. I started counting and the session ended at 58 shots not counting the first dozen. So easily 60+ were fired and the last 5 shots were fired by a kid who started shooting the chains off the gongs at 50yds. All this with a slow twist, real black powder, homemade lube and minies.
Upshot, don’t believe the stuff you see on utoob. Hang out with us in the N-SSA if you want to know just how accurate these things can be. Carbine is one of the higher up guys and would be glad to send you more info.