1863 Springfield Navy arms .58 cal for hunting.

[Buckhead]

I have a 1863 navy arms Springfield .58 cal. My brother in l withw used for reenactments. I am going Deer hunting next weekend and I was wondering what load I should use.
It is in good shape and I have fired it a few times 60 gr. fffg and .570 round ball. What I want to know is what is a good safe load for Deer hunting. I never hunted with BP before and my son wants me to go with him. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Ironnewt]

Well, there's an old saying....."Bring Enough GUN" well the converse is true. You will not be under gunned with your current selection by any stretch of the imagination

[desdem12]

Not too familiar with the loads on the .58s. I use 85-90gr ffg on my 54 lyman when I hunt elk with it. I think you could up that one a bit but the best thing to do is to run a few test loads at the range. Take a few different bullets if you can or if it has one it likes then start at the 60 and then go up 2 or 3 grains and see if the accuracy increases. I would say where around 75 or so but I don't own a .58 and am not familiar with the navy arms rifle.

[desdem12]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/58_muzzleloaders.htm Here is an article about hunting with a .58. I didn't read it so not sure what brand but he uses 100 gr.

[Buckhead]

Thanks des. That gives me something to start with. .58 cal. is a little over kill for Florida Deer, but it is the only thing I have in BP. It is just a short 3 day season.
My boy has been trying to get me up to Ocala for a BP season for a few years and I think it is past time to do something about it. I am not getting any younger and I won't be around for ever. My Granny all way's said that some day we will be nothing more then memories in the minds of the ones we leave behind, and we should want them to be good ones.

[desdem12]

I looked for a manual from them and there isn't one. Some places I visited said they used upto 100gr ffg but listed 80gr as the main charge. If you can check muzzle velocity then I would start say at 70 and go up in 5g incriments to maybe 85-90 and see what the difference is. I think 75 or 80 might do the trick. It is always better to take more gun then you need then less gun. I would use it myself if I had one. I have a couple of magnums for black powder and I love them. They might be too much but not to me. Is just the funnest hunting I have ever done.

[Buckhead]

I looked for a manual from them and there isn't one. Some places I visited said they used upto 100gr ffg but listed 80gr as the main charge. If you can check muzzle velocity then I would start say at 70 and go up in 5g incriments to maybe 85-90 and see what the difference is. I think 75 or 80 might do the trick. It is always better to take more gun then you need then less gun. I would use it myself if I had one. I have a couple of magnums for black powder and I love them. They might be too much but not to me. Is just the funnest hunting I have ever done.

Thanks for every thing dez. I would love to shoot an Elk some day. Thanks again dez.

[Junk Yard Dog]

60 grains FFG was the load used to kill men by the countless thousands during the States War, you shouldn't have a problem with it on deer.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Instead of the round ball you could try the issue mini ball.

[desdem12]

I did find out that it is a 1:48 (fairly sure) twist so you can use the Minnie bullets or other types as well as lead balls. There should be a few different brands of Minnie or bullets around like buffalo or maybe knight.

[Buckhead]

I did find out that it is a 1:48 (fairly sure) twist so you can use the Minnie bullets or other types as well as lead balls. There should be a few different brands of Minnie or bullets around like buffalo or maybe knight.

Thanks dez. I do have some Minnie and some round ball .570. I will use the Minnie for hunting. The round ball are a little loose and need a patch. You and Jim have been a great help and I appreciate every thing thank you.
Now all I have to do is shoot a Deer with this monster. Thanks again y'all.

I guess Sgt. Rob is still among the missing. I hope every thing is alright with him and the family.

[Ironnewt]

Years ago I shot one with a Minie' ball and liked to blow off the right front leg. It was a quartering shot from left rear.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Round balls are all made to be used with a patch, T shirt material will usually do, just lube it up with bore butter, or some other BP bullet lube before using. Only in a revolver is a ball used without a patch.

[Buckhead]

I will be using the mini ball for hunting, The round ball is just a backup and for target shooting. Once Halloween is over I want to shoot some Pumpkins.
I have 25 mini balls but I am hoping I just need one thanks guys and wish me luck.
I am hankering for some Venison stew and chilly and sausage and on and on oh and Jim some

[desdem12]

Good luck

[Junk Yard Dog]

Did you cast the miniballs yourself? Or did you buy them ready made from Speer or some outfit like that? It's important that if you cast them yourself that you used soft lead, the softest pure lead, not wheelweight metal. Without soft lead the hollow of the bullet will not expand to grip the rifling and every round will keyhole.

[Darryl]

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Second from the left is .58 for my Hawkins Hunter.




I cast my own .58




Dolk

[Buckhead]

.

Second from the left is .58 for my Hawkins Hunter.




I cast my own .58




Dolk

I think that is what I have. It looks like a hollow head on the receiving end of the mini ball. It looks like it will do some damage.

[Buckhead]

Did you cast the miniballs yourself? Or did you buy them ready made from Speer or some outfit like that? It's important that if you cast them yourself that you used soft lead, the softest pure lead, not wheelweight metal. Without soft lead the hollow of the bullet will not expand to grip the rifling and every round will keyhole.

No Jim I bought them . I do have some soft led 25 lb ingots that were used for ballast on a boat I have about 180 lbs. of it

[Junk Yard Dog]

I sell that stuff for $1.10 a pound , so you are rich in lead