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I'm a reenactor and a live fire shooter with a '53.  

They are good guns.  Mine is an older Armi-Sport.  The ones available new today are either East India Co or Pedersoli.  There is a obvious quality difference as well as about twice the cost in the Pedersoli. I recently purchased a East India Co Charleville musket, and while it works fine it looks like a ghurka put it together.  It is definitely lacking in the fit and finish department (I'm working on it now).  I recommend the Pedersoli as it is far and away a better piece.  Still, a Pedersoli will require some defarbing before reenactor use.  I can elaborate on that via PM if you want.

The P1853 Enfield is correct for both Fed and Confed Infantry as they were sent to both sides.  This is why they are popular with reenactors.  Feds are also commonly armed with '61 Springfields and '42 Harper's/Springfields(.69 cal.).  I do both Fed Infantry and Confed Infantry as well as Confed Marine and Artillery. Reenacting is fun and I plan on continuing until I just can't anymore and am looking to expand into Revolution and 1812.  Hope you find a good unit and enjoy it.

As far as shooting, it takes a lot of T&E to find the exact load the gun likes.  My gun likes certain powder and certain caps paired with a particular cast bullet.  What my gun likes yours may not.  Have patience and be willing to try several loads.  Once you find one stick with it for the life of the gun.  Hope this helps.

Pron:

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