what bullet for my 58 cal.???

[Wyoduster]

I built a 58 Cal. full stock Hawken last winter and want to use it this season for deer. I need a mold and got to get busy and get'ur shot in..
 So what bullet do you'all recommend? 

[rich pierce]

I’ve gone Canadian. Use a .575 ball and 0.018 ticking. Loads well in my Getz barrel.

[Huntschool]

What is your bore size(in the groves) ?

Back a long time ago I built a 58 for a guy with a Getz barrel turned 1:66.  I worked sighting it in trying both .570 and ,575 swedged RB's.  It really liked the .575's with .010 wet patch and the old Ox Yoke .010 dry lubed stuff.  The .570 shot well enough and made a great range load for woods walks etc cause it was easier to load.  However, when ya pushed the yardage it liked the tighter ball.  No new news there....

I would play with both ball sizes and patch thicknesses was well as lubes until you find a load that shoots well for you.  The twist will determine how much powder you can use.

Enjoy your gun

[smylee grouch]

Slug the barrel and see what size it is.

[bob in the woods]

You built the rifle, so should know what barrel , twist etc   Unless your barrel is a fast twist bullet barrel, I would absolutely use a round ball.   

[OldMtnMan]

Who made the barrel?

[WadePatton]

What have you tried?

I'd try various combos before committing to a mould diameter and casting up a bunch.

[Daryl]

My go-to recipe for most.58's is a .575 dead-soft ball and
022" denim patch.  If that is a little snug  as it was in my 1861
Enfield with what.574"bore, I drop to a little.562" ball and then.022"
denim patch and see how that shoots.
Since you mentioned 66" twist, I would likely test with the .575
.022 patch, water based lube for target testing, and start at 82 or 85gr.
of 2F GOEX, increasing the charge 5 gr. after each 5 shot group at 50yards.
I have found that nesting accuracy st 25yards is a waste of tome, powder and shot.
Keep US abridged omit your developments. You may wish to search for previous threads
on muzzle crowns if you.are cutting.patches at the muzzle when seating.them.

[alacran]

Daryl is absolutely correct. 25 yd. testing is a waste of time. The only thing I can add, is verify your load at 100yds, after you have decided on your most accurate patch ball combo.