Sharp Shooter

Anyone know how the Improved Modern Minie doese on game? I might try them in my 58cal.

cayugad

I've shot minnies in .50, .54, & .58 and never could get accuracy out of them. In the ,58 for instance I think the barrel is .580-.582 diameter. The minnies are .577 which means they are slip fit. I tried paper patching them and every thing else. While they are fun to shoot they are not accurate enough for me. Now if I had say a 1861 Springfield Rifle which were a .577 bore, I understand that these minnies are pretty accurate. If I were you I would look at a .58 caliber maxiball.

Sharp Shooter

I know the Traditional were loose fit but what about the Improved ones that look like track cans?

cayugad

while the design might be different, the diameter is the same. .575 for a diameter whether it is the traditional, the improved, or modern minnie. There is an oversized minnie of .578 in the improved molds. At least that is getting a little closer to your bore, but I just have a feeling they will be too loose. Then again, you might try them and they might shoot just fine. You can never tell with these rifles.

Sharp Shooter

I will probably just shoot the 525gr Hornady Great Plains conical. I really love the Great Plains in my 54cal.

slowpokebr549

I have had good results on the terminal end of minies. But, Cayuqad is right about accuracy.Mediocre is how I would best desribe it. My Zouave is a much better shooter with round ball and I have taken several deer with it. None of them ran very far, however, the buck I shot last year with a traditional minie was absolutely slapped over in his tracks. I havehad much betteraccuracy out of Great Plains but haven't taken any game with them. They are a tight fit in my gun and soon prove a bitch to load.