Quote Originally Posted by DaveHH View Post
Ref. Muzzle loading rifles in Civil War: The method of fighting in those days was line up and shoot, presenting volley fire until the situation went to independent fire or broke down to the point of losing unit integrity. I've owned and shot a lot with .58 cal replica arms of the civil war. You can easily load and shoot to the point that loading becomes difficult - to the point where you cannot load correctly because of powder fouling. Quality and availability of paper cartridges was an issue with some ammunition being used by the other side...
The Britishicon cartridge for the P-53 musket was much prized by both sides. In the early 1850s, the laboratory at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich solved the fouling problem. With correctly-constructed Enfield cartridges, fouling is controlled and the generously-undersized Pritchett bullets are easy to load, regardless of how long you've been shooting. It is night and day difference when compared to shooting American-style Minies. The only time I revert to Burton style Minies is because of the rules against paper cartridges on some ranges and in NSSA and NMLRA sanctioned competition.

Brett Gibbons' books are most recommended.
The Destroying Angel: The Rifle-Musket as the First Modern Infantry Weapon

The English Cartridge Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket Ammunition