10 bore SxS purchasing

[bpnelson]

Hey gents, looking to get a double barrel muzzleloader, currently thinking of 10 bore side by side percussion. I'm mainly wanting to use balls for whitetail black powder season, and will also be able to load shot for birds if needed.

I've read some on the proper cards and wads for using shot, but I'm also seeing people suggest similar loads with round ball, which is not really making sense to me, as when using ball, isn't the 10 bore just that...a 10 bore smooth bore musket? So why are people recommending over powder, wad, over ball cards and such? Wouldn't a simple powder then lubed wadded ball provide sufficient accuracy out to say 50 yards?

Also do I need cylinder bored barrels to use ball in?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Brian

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hi,
If you get the chance to hold both the 12 gauge and the 10 Gauge, I'm sure you will like the 12 better.
The 12 balances much better, hands down!
Also you will most likely find a 12 gauge a little cheaper.
I really don't recommend the CVA junk.
It is ( 12 ga. )a lot easier to carry a long distance, and a .69 ball will do in any whitetail.
I had both for some time, but never took a liking for the 10 gauge.
I suppose the 10 is better for geese, how much goose hunting do you plan on doing??
I hope this helps.
Fred

 

[Britsmoothy]

10 bore!?! 10 gauge yes?
Here the term bore used all the time over here but surprised that an american is usin
g this term!
Any way...most modern 10g repro's are choked and makes for a fiddle with ball!
Cut the chokes off :hatsoff:
B.

 

[Toomuch51]

I've read some on the proper cards and wads for using shot, but I'm also seeing people suggest similar loads with round ball, which is not really making sense to me, as when using ball, isn't the 10 bore just that...a 10 bore smooth bore musket? So why are people recommending over powder, wad, over ball cards and such? Wouldn't a simple powder then lubed wadded ball provide sufficient accuracy out to say 50 yards?

Also do I need cylinder bored barrels to use ball in?

In answer to your first question; there are nearly as many methods of constructing a roundball load as there are shooters, and experimenting with different loads is the best way to find what works best in your own gun.
That being said what works best for me is, after loading the charge I simply follow with a patched ball.

As to using a choked barrel, I prefer shooting a single ball from a cylinder bore, in any event I don't believe I would want to attempt it in anything more than an IC or modified at the most (personal preference).

Toomuch
.............
Shoot Flint