.577 Snider

[Big Sarge]

I just bought a .577 Snider short rifle. Does anyone know where I can purchase a mould or cast bullets? Also, any tips on loading this round?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I got my cases & dies from;

Kerry Jenkinson 10 Cameron Ave
Grand Forks BC
CANADA V0H 1H4

Phone# 250 442 5718

If there is anything Kerry doesn't Know about British Guns, I don't Know!  His specialty is brass & dies for old Brit calibers.

My load uses a custom LEE die 592 500, from Kerry.   Flat base, round nose.  You can get started with almost any .58 Minie bullet.  If you know any buckskinners, you could likely score a few to start with.  The very first cases for the Snider were paper, so the chamber is unusually large.  The case has to be necked for the Minie, but straight for the Lee Custom load.

The only load I tried was 55 Gr 2F Cream of Wheat filler, and a well lubed bullet.  It is easy to handle, and I'm sure you will have room to raise the charge after you get your feet wet.  It WILL shoot high, apparently the battle zero was 300 yards

[Big Sarge]

Thank you!!

[Hoof Hearted]

I just bought a .577 Snider short rifle. Does anyone know where I can purchase a mould or cast bullets? Also, any tips on loading this round?

The "Snider" folks refer to them as either 2 band or 3 band. Meaning the length of the rifle. There is a twist rate difference and I believe the 2 band (that's what I shoot) likes a shorter ie; lighter bullet.

Here's the "easy" way to get started:

buy a Lee round ball mould in 60 caliber (you want it to throw about .590)
buy a set of Lee dies (they are cheap)
try 60grains of ffg (2f) and a hard card (bar coaster material) with suitable filler (felt or COW or grits or buffer) followed by another card with a dollop of spg, then roll crimp over the ogive. Yea it takes some work to arrive at the right height. Compress the Black powder somewhat.
Swiss will definately burn cleaner and cause less fouling (and these things foul like crazy!).
Oh yea cases
Magtech 24 ga brass shotshells. Lube them with GOOD case lube and run em slowely into yer sizer die (they have to be trimmed to length some guys use tubing cutters and dechamfer).

I would also recommend this site:

http://p223.ezboard.com/SniderEnfield-Forum/fbritishmilitariaforumsfrm2

Good luck on ya!

[Tommy tornado]

I owned one at one point and couldn't hit anything with it.  I was trying a case of 2fg Goex under a .58 Cal mini ball with a hollow base.  The bullet could have been the problem because I never did try a .60 cal roundball.  I ended up trading it off for some pistols.