When you have a group of kids, invariably, there are some smaller than others. Not all of them can handle the muskets we bring so we wanted an alternative for the kids that could give the same advantages of the minie style bullet. After some research, I stumbled on this Enfield type minie that was originally designed for a handgun. After some conversation with Steve Brooks, we sized it up to cast at .495 and to include an adjustable base plug so the weight can be varied.
Here's a pic of the bullet and cartridge tube. To make the cartridge, just pour powder into the tube. Insert bullet nose first as a stopper and then dip lube the bullet in beeswax/lard up to the yellow tube. To load, it works just like a conventional minie. No round ball wiping or fussiness here.
Accurate? Well here's a test target I shot from my "sewerpipe on a stick" CVA. It has a very rough bore, and I put 15 shots with no wiping through it before starting to shoot for group. The group is 6 shots offhand at 50yd. So far, it's fulfilled it's purpose in having a mild, accurate, minie load for a standard 50cal rifle.
Here's a pic of the bullet and cartridge tube. To make the cartridge, just pour powder into the tube. Insert bullet nose first as a stopper and then dip lube the bullet in beeswax/lard up to the yellow tube. To load, it works just like a conventional minie. No round ball wiping or fussiness here.
Accurate? Well here's a test target I shot from my "sewerpipe on a stick" CVA. It has a very rough bore, and I put 15 shots with no wiping through it before starting to shoot for group. The group is 6 shots offhand at 50yd. So far, it's fulfilled it's purpose in having a mild, accurate, minie load for a standard 50cal rifle.