model 1861 rifle musket used during deer season

[zoey]

Was wondering if I would be aloud to use my model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket 58 cal. during shotgun season for Deer in Chester County.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by zoey

Was wondering if I would be aloud to use my model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket 58 cal. during shotgun season for Deer in Chester County.

I believe so. I think that area is bow & arrow, crossbow, shotgun(buckshot, or slugs with .410), and muzzleloader only. ...I think.

[knight0334]

Here is Chester, you can add slugs to my statement above for 20ga and larger shotguns:

Special Regulations Areas: (all of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) Muzzleloading long guns, bow and arrow, manual or auto-loading shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, slugs or buckshot only; crossbows and .410 shotguns with slugs. Buckshot may not be used in Allegheny County. Only crossbows, bows and arrows are permitted in Philadelphia County. Crossbows may be used in the two-week statewide concurrent antlered and antlerless deer season.

[Karl/PA]

The '61 is rifled and therefore is a muzzleloading rifle and NOT a shotgun. If you had an 1842 or any other smoothbore then that would be OK.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by Karl/PA

The '61 is rifled and therefore is a muzzleloading rifle and NOT a shotgun. If you had an 1842 or any other smoothbore then that would be OK.

The requirement says "muzzleloading long gun". Rifled or smoothbore is moot with front stuffers.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by zoey

Was wondering if I would be aloud to use my model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket 58 cal. during shotgun season for Deer in Chester County.

If you choose to use your 1861 musket, please report how well it performed. I don't hunt (not yet, anyway) but I am curious how fast it takes down large game, and the amount of damage it creates.

[WCO,R.W.J]

Originally Posted by zoey

Was wondering if I would be aloud to use my model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket 58 cal. during shotgun season for Deer in Chester County.

Yes you can. Have fun , good luck and Hunt safe.

[wis bang]

Originally Posted by Karl/PA

The '61 is rifled and therefore is a muzzleloading rifle and NOT a shotgun. If you had an 1842 or any other smoothbore then that would be OK.

Muzzleloading rifles are OK. My father had stopped using his flinter when you had to give up your anterless application to purchase a muzzloader license [long time ago] and took it back up after Bucks became shotgun because muzzloaders [rifled or not] were allowed. At the time you could look out his front window at the Northampton Cnty line and the farmers who's farms straddled the line wern't too picky where they used a rifle so he dusted the flinter off to, legally, even his odds.

[punxsutawneypete]

Originally Posted by PA Rifleman

If you choose to use your 1861 musket, please report how well it performed. I don't hunt (not yet, anyway) but I am curious how fast it takes down large game, and the amount of damage it creates.

I would think a .58 Minie ball would have no problem taking down a deer. I used to be a Civil War skirmisher and from going to the matches I know how powerful the Civil War rifles could be. And the effective range is a lot longer than you might think since it's a rifled arm.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by punxsutawneypete

I would think a .58 Minie ball would have no problem taking down a deer...

As would I, I wonder how much meat it would destroy. The Matthew Brady photos were enough evidence for me.

I've seen the bulletholes still visible in Gettysburg. I don't re-enact, but I do occasionally shoot rifled muskets. I might have a few questions for you...like how to guarantee skirt obturation. I already know about using soft lead, matching bullet size to the bore and tamping the bullet down into the powder.

Here are a few old file photos:

M1842 rifled musket (Reproduction)

I'm familiar with the destructive affects of the 69 Minie, but not on a living organism.

58 Minie (right) and a 69 Minie (left) for comparison


One that tumbled during impact.