Just aquired a New Englander through a trade. Trader said it was shot less than 50 times, and other than some slight pitting on the nipple, it could pass for brand new. Ran an alcohol patch down the bore & it came back pure as the driven snow, very pleased with that!
It came with three different nipples. The factory nipple which was a bit pitted but still looks serviceable, a new-in-the-package HotShot nipple, and an adapter nipple that takes 209 primers- didn't know such a thing was made. Will probably start with the HotShot nipple... the 209 adapter is a novel idea, but I would imagine it unecessary if things are kept clean & unobstructed. Will also be using easy to light Goex 3f. If things work like they should with the #11 caps, I'd send it to anyone interested in trying it out. Might help if ya have a rifle that just doesn't light reliably even with good cleaning habits. Of course it would only fit 1/4-28 threads. If anyone's interested let me know. Unless she gives me fits with ignition this weekend, I'll mail it to the first responder.
Have some .530 roundballs & lubed tick patches I intend to try out this weekend. Have seen a few range reports that indicate it should handle them fairly well, and I hope that's the case, but not opposed to conicals if that's what she likes. Would prefer they be something I can cast myself though, as I intend to shoot it a bunch alongside my PA Hunter flintlock (just about rid of all my cartridge guns now). Anyone have experience shooting home-cast conicals through a .54 New Englander? Lee REAL, maxi-bullet, minies, etc? I know there are some good store-bought conicals, but they're a bit expensive for a lot of shooting.
I shoot the REAL conicals through my .54 caliber New Englander. With 80 grains of powder they do a great job.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
yes it does shoot roundball real well. 90 grains of Goex 2f and a .530 patched roundball is very accurate. And as nchawkeye said, really about all the horse power you need for hunting most anything.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
I have a 54 cal Renegade with the same twist as your NE'er. I cast Maxiballs with no trouble. I'm sure you can get a mold no problem. A while ago, like 25 years or so, I also had a mold made by Lyman for a 50 cal Renegade, and that bullet was identical to the Maxiball far as I could tell. I have never seen a T/C hammer gun with 1/48 twist that would not shoot a Maxiball well.
Would much prefer to stick with the roundballs, so it's good to hear they'll likely shoot well. So many opinions on roundballs from a 1/48 twist I didn't know what to believe. Just got a Lee lead pot & .490 mold, looks like a .530 mold will soon follow. While I'm at it... might as well get a .310 for the .32 fullstock flinter squirrel rifle I'd like to eventually have... a shot mold (do they make such a thing?) for the 12 ga. bbl I'll eventually track down for the New Englander... .610 or .680, gotta have a big bore, just in case... can't forget the .58 minie ball for a Civil War repro... oops, sorry 'bout that, daydreaming again!
T/C New Englander .54 caliber
