P1858

[MrD]

A 'local' dealer was advertising a new .577 Enfield. I was hoping for a P1853 but after a 60 mile drive it turned out to be a PH P1858. The price was too good to pass, so put a deposit down and sent my FAC off for a variation.

I have read the previous posts on the bullets and cartridge making, and I like Dromia's acrylic tube idea. I think that I'll go for the NOE mould but want to ask about the base plugs. I noticed that in both Dromia's pictures there was no sign of a base plug and it wasn't clear if Tower75 was using them. Are they necessary?

What would be the best source of suitable bullets in the UK that would allow me to take it to the range while waiting for the mould to arrive?

Cheers

Donald

[Alpha1]

You should probably talk to Adam.(Dromia) His web site is pukabundhooks. Or you can contact him on here pm him. He is also a moderator on the NOE bullet mold site.

dodgyrog does cast bullets he lurks about in here you could pm him and ask if he can help. All though I think he is more into centre fire stuff.

[dromia]

I only use the plugs in the 0.550" bullets, larger ones don't seem to benefit from it.

Cannot help with a commercial source of Minies, every experience I have had with commercial cast bullets has always been disappointing.

[dromia]

If it was a new PH then it will be of Italian manufacture.

[MrD]

Thank you for the advice regarding the base plugs and commercial Minies. I have ordered the NOE 566-576-RF RG2 cavity HB (Pritchet) mould and handles.

I think it had been in the shop for a while, he said he'd bought a number of them and this was the last one. At least the P1858 will fit in my cabinets better than the P1853 so I suppose that's a bonus.

A wee voice in my head is suggesting trying to see what sort of deal Kranks would give me swapping this for a P1853 like my Great-Great-Grandfather used in the Crimea and India. Knowing my laziness, I'll probably just keep it and have fun shooting it.

Donald

[dromia]

If it is a PH it will have been in the shop since the 1980s.

If it is Italian 3rd generation Euro arms then it may not have the progressive depth rifling, if Kranks have any P53s actually in stock they will be third generation Euroarms P/H.

The way to check if you have a genuine PH or a first generation Euroarms is by the proof marks under the breech end of the barrel, they will be UK proof stamps.

I would never swap a genuine PH for an Italian.

[MrD]

Time passes slowly in Tain, but I don't think it'll be that old. I'll check the markings when I pick it up. Once again, thank you for the info.

Donald

[dromia]

Not as slowly as in Alness.

[MrD]

Not as slowly as in Alness.

Ah yes, the good old Ross & Cromarty Triangle

[MrD]

Well Dromia, time must pass really slowly in Ross-shire. I picked up the rifle today - got variation back in 3 working days.

It has British proof marks on the top of the breech and came with a PH leaflet and embroidered 1858 Enfield Rifle patch. I was told that it was the last of a batch bought in by the shop in 1987. Its serial no is 7370. It's brand new and cost me less than 2/3 of the price of a new one from Kranks. I think I'm a very happy bunny