1842 harpers ferry

[jim/wa]

got a 1842 harpers ferry in 69 caliber got some 678 balls and cant get a patch aroundthem does anyone have a better idea this is a smoothbore

 

[Jppard]

Is the barrel clean and smooth? These old barrels can be pitted, rusted and dirty. I have shot mine with a 62 cal ball and 3 32 cal balls (Buck and Ball) to clean out the barrel. I've fired 10 rounds of these. Then I've pulled the barrel and cleaned and scrubbed it. This sometimes cleans it up for a larger ball. Be careful these guns are almost 150 years old so don't over load it with powder. These barrels aren't always exactly 69 cal due to the manufacturing of the era. You can use a thin patch and a smaller ball. Remember these weapons were for military use so the ammo issued was pre rolled paper that went down the barrel that acted like a patch. These guns are designed for massive volley fire up to 50 yards so they aren't the most accurate.

Jppard

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I use a .672 ball in a .012 patch over 80 grains of ffg GOEX. If I expect that the gun will be carried for a while, I put a card wad over the powder to keep the patch lube from contaminating the charge.I get good hunting accuracy with this load. These muskets will handle shot as well...essentially they are just heavy duty shotguns.

 

[varsity07840]

Ditto on the .672/patch. I've used the .678 in the past for my 1816 but got tired of smacking the hell out of it with the short starter. The .672 loads easier and shoots just as well.
I always use a card and cusion wad behind it.

 

[Russianblood]

Load the ball bare and use an overshot card to hold it in. I have very good accuracy with a bare ball over a cushion wad and held by an overshot card.

 

[G. W. Gill]

I use .660 and an old blue jeans patch lubed with Crisco. I can't use over 80 grn. or it will shred the patch. I am impressed with how accurate one can get without a rear sight. :grin:

 

This might be a silly question, but have you miked the barrel to make sure it's .690. You might try old T-shirt material, but the bare ball with overshot card, and over powder cadr also. If ya want to test it out, just a small wad of newsprint, as an over ball wad would let ya know if the cards will work as am alternative. Bill