PH .451 3 band rifle

[JB101]

Hi all
I am looking at one of the above PH volunteer 3 band rifle in .451 & am looking for information as i have not had one of these before.

The serial No is H7XX,which from what research i've done indicates that its 'Henry' rifled.

What is the difference between the different types of rifling these come in and what is the recommended bullet(s) for these (pure lead or hardened a bit).
Can they be used straight out of the mould or is resizing a definite requirement.
Also what grade BP recommendations and initial loads .

I'll probably be starting off at 1-200yds and going out to 600 once I gain confidence in the rifle.

Regards
James

[thibben]

JB101

Those that I have seen are very (or can be) very accurate rifles.

The bullet is 'it' with all BP (ML & BPCR) rifles. Pure lead or pretty soft alloy (say 30:1 lead/tin) Get the right mold and pretty much straight from the mold - after lubing.

Over powder wad either from gasket material or HDPE .060" thick is a good start.

Pick a starting point re. powder and work up - Swiss powders are very good their version of 2F (#3) wqould be my suggestion

Here is a link to some similar work on same cal. http://blog.davide-pedersoli.com/dev...i-gibbs-rifle/

T

[tacfoley]

THE definitive 'how-to' for this rifle, and indeed ANY Enfield, real or continuation version, can be found on the research Press site, where David Minshall, UK many-times Champion muzzleloading shooter with this and other similar rifles, has produced 'Shooting the Enfield'.

I also urge you, if you you care not already a member, to join the MLAGB.

Your rifle is among the VERY early examples of this fine model, and it would be well worth while to cherish it a bit - there are no more - the Pedersoli version is a poor thing by comparison, as are any of the Euroarms examples made after serial number 14000 or so.

It would also be worthwhile to replace the PH Beryllium nipple with a Peter Dyson platinum-lined version. A couple of hundred shots with the recommended 80 - 90gr of FFg Swiss will see you the owner of a self-cocking' percussion rifle, as the hole wears through and sends a deal of the propellant gas back out that way. I shot mine for almost thirty years with the same Dyson nipple.

This is a quote from a many-times NMLRA-winner - If you cast the 457121 from pure lead they usually drop about .455" from the mold ( I have two). Fill the grooves with lube then push them nose first into a .454" die then again .452" etc. The grooves wont deform and close up when full of lube and when made from pure lead. I have done this many times because I really like that bullet's performance accuracy wise. It's always easier to start with a proper diameter mold. I have the Lyman 451114 Volunteer mold but have had better results with the 457121 in both original PH rifles and Euro Arms Whitworth and Volunteer versions.

[JB101]

Hi Chaps

Thanks for the info so far,I'm still a bit hazy' about the molds and sizing of the resultant cast bullets .
From what I have read one should go for a bullet 1 thou under bore size so for example a Lyman 451114 should produce a bullet of nominal dia 452/1 so then it should be sized down to 450?

Regards
James

[tacfoley]

Hi Chaps

Thanks for the info so far,I'm still a bit hazy' about the molds and sizing of the resultant cast bullets .
From what I have read one should go for a bullet 1 thou under bore size so for example a Lyman 451114 should produce a bullet of nominal dia 452/1 so then it should be sized down to 450?

Regards
James

When I bought MY three-band Enfield Volunteer match rifle, it came with the Lyman mould, AND a sizing die that used a hammer strike to push the bullet through and make it .450" calibre. When you shoot the bullet, it upsets into the rifling. You can buy bullets ready-cast and sized and lubed from Henry Krank, if you don't care to cast your own.

[JB101]

Hi Tac
Thanks for the info,the rifle is pre owned and I am not sure if any molds or wad punches are (still) with it ,I am presuming not hence the questions about the best mold(s) to get.
I'll cast my own as I used to have a couple of BPCR's and used to cast for those as well as a pedersoli Le Page which I still have.

I'm also possibly looking at a Ruger Old Army 44 cal ,is there anything to look out for in these ?

Regards
James