Author Topic: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads  (Read 832 times)

Offline Jerry

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Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« on: May 27, 2024, 03:39:54 PM »
Anyone have a good round ball load for a Colerain .54 rifle. I know all barrels are different, but would like to see others accuracy loads for round ball. Thanks, Jerry

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2024, 05:19:50 PM »
Hi Jerry. I think you answered your own question. Shooting is the best way to find the best load as someone else,s best might not work for you and your shooting style\technique and rifle.

Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2024, 06:23:21 PM »
I agree with Smylee but for the record I use 75 grains of GOEX 3F a .530 round ball with .018 ticking patch greased with a 50/50 mixture of TOTW Mink oil and 100% pure Neatsfoot oil. My 54's are primarily for hunting hence the load of 75 grains of 3F which equates on a chronograph to 92 grains of 2F.
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline EC121

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2024, 06:28:14 PM »
85gr. 2F with a .526 ball and thick patch.  I have several .54s with Rice and Colerain barrels and that has worked in all of them.  I don't care for the sharper recoil of 3F.


Brice Stultz

Offline Daryl

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2024, 06:46:43 PM »
Buddy of mine uses 75gr. 2F for trail walk shots out to 50yards and 90gr.2F for the longer shots out to 110yards.
These are with almost water soluble lube.WWWF + tich of Neetsfoot oil.(shake and apply to pre-cuts)
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Bigmon

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2024, 06:53:08 PM »
I have one I been shooting since 1996, a 36" Colerain 75 cal swamped.
Have tried more than a few combinations over the years.
Always worked best with 75Gr 2F.  Moose milk for trail walks and any kind of grease lub for hunting.  Used .530 balls and .018 patches, now using .535 balls same patch and load.
It is a tack driving deer killer.  Killed one once near 200 yds, plenty at 50 to 80 yds.
Truth is I have killed more with it than all my other guns combined, including a 270 Winchester.
As my Sons started hunting I let them use the 270 and I took a black powder gun, usually this 54 cal.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Colerain .54 Rifle Loads
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2024, 08:18:06 PM »
EC 121 makes a good point about the recoil. Less recoil helps shooters to shoot better.