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I have to think you are on the right track with that Brent!

" Al, et al. I have shot roundballs in mine but find it regulates with only 40 gr or so of powder. I gotta believe that it could do better than that. I have some samples of a .630" "Rigby bullet" from an NEI mold that I will try. They are quite short and may be ideal for this gun. Gotta find the time to do this however."

I did not know the caliber of your rifle, I can say if it's a .60+ then the one in fifty four twist sure points in the direction of the bullet over the ball.

For a ball over a bullet in that caliber then the twist would slow to close twice that.

If we were betting on bullet or ball, I'm putting my money on "da bullet". For what that's worth?

Al, it's a .635 cal (18 bore).

Brent

Sounds like you are looking at a 2 groove rifle which shoots a patched conical bullet with wings. If you have the mould, you should be in good shape.
The twist will be slow, so that the bullet will not strip out of the grooves when fired with a healthy dose of black powder.
This rifle design was dubbed "Express" by Mr. Purdey, because the larger amount of powder used (as compared to a ML bore rifleof the day) with greater velocity and flatter down range flight.

Thanks everyone for the wonderfull inputs. You guys are the best when it comes to Gun knowledge.

CFWS
Yes the Mould is for a Conical Bullet with wings. So does this classify this as an 'EXPRESS' Rifle? The Rifle has four rear leaf sights. A fixed sight for 50, and three folding with markings for 100, 200 & 250. (Can this Rifle actually be accurate upto 250 yards?)

Can I safely call this Rifle a .50 Caliber 'Express' Rifle and is the .50 Caliber Express the same thing as 500 Express?

I need to negotiate a price to my liking and secure this one.

It is usually called a 2 groove express rifle. It is different than a 500 express in that the 500 EXP. is a breechloading cartridge rifle.

And yes it can be accurate to 250 yds with the proper load.

Okay thanks for the clarification. I will post pics if I am successfull at securing it.

If you get it, please post pictures of the mould and a cast bullte as well. I'd really love to see that. I have a belted ball rifle, but it's a belted roundball... Not really very accurate due to condition.

Brent

42 is probably a bore size of about .50
25 bore was stamped on commercial sniders - .577
52 was stamped on commercial martini henrys - .450
RG.

Hi ! Thanks for the inputs. Here is what Purdey have to say about the Rifle :

Completed in August 1867 for Lord Gosford.
29" Damascus barrels.
40 bore = .500".
The original cost of this rifle is £84.

So now we know that it is a 40 Bore or .500 Cal Rifle for sure.

The next question is what is the rate of twist? I'm guessing it is in the low 50s or upper 40" range.

Brent