Shiloh Rifle Forums

I have an 1853 Slant Breech Sharps sporting rifle in what appears to be .46 cal. I have tried .455 Webley bullets in my rifle. While surprisingly accurate at 100 yards, it does keyhole. I am thinking about using round ball. Has anyone done this? What size round ball would I use with a patch? Thanks in advance. I've seen dug up bullets on eBay for this rifle, but so far, I've not found a bullet mold.

Bullet mould needed?? -- contact Steve Brooks --https://brooksmoulds.com/

He has made several moulds for me and others on this the Shiloh site and we are well satisfied with the results. Give him a call or drop him an Email explaining your needs.

A patched round ball is likely to be a problem. Unless you load it from the muzzle it will not consistently hold the bullet. I think slugging the bore and having the right mold made is your best bet.

When the Hall rifle was current, they used an oversize round lead ball and loaded it with apparent good results. Just thinking out loud.

Woody

Loading the ball from the muzzle is what I was thinking of with a patch and with a rattail powder cartridge loaded from the breech.