73 cal. Penetration Test

[BS]

Link to Penetration Test

It was suggested that 125 grains of FF would penetrate just about as far as 175 FF using a .705 hard round ball.

So I did some testing at 35 yards with 10 sheets of 1/2 chipboard. That is all I had to waste. I was going to use an old 2x10, but it had too many knots.

100 FF and a Hard ball out penetrates 125 FF and pure lead, but not by much.

The 175 load out of my short barreled 73 is very powerful, but shoots well.

It all started out today, shooting tin cans with my 7ga.

Just thought I would share some testing.

 

[Rebel]

I wouldn't want to be hit by any of the loads.

 

[Slake]

Man I thought 54 was big balls

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

Those are some very impressive results. It's good to see "real world" testing on things like this also. I think many "small bore" muzzleloader shooters would be surprised at what their "favourite pet can (or can't) do. I also have done some similar tests and with similar results on "larger" calibers. I use a box with OSB panels 3" apart and potting soil in the spaces between. It has served me well and is also "very telling"--saved me much grief more than once when later in the field with that gun.

Regards, and shoot safely!
WV_Hillbilly

 

[musketman]

Well done, I have done penetration demonstrations with my bess where I would split fireplace length logs with it, the power generated by the big roundball is awesome...

 

[BS]

WV_Hillbilly,

I did a test near 20 years ago with my 54 with hard and soft lead, wish I could find the paper work. As I remember, result were about the same. The harder balls did penetrate deeper with the same load.

More:

One of our Canadian Brothers did some testing on Moose with his 75cal, and had to lower his charges to 125FF to keep the ball in the farside of the moose. Now, I can see why! :shocked2:

 

Hmmm. wonder what would happen with a .995 ball? I feel a range trip coming on!

CP

 

[Roy]

Hmmm. wonder what would happen with a .995 ball? I feel a range trip coming on!

CP

Probably worse than this if it didn't rip the stand out of the ground first :grin:

 

[BS]

Hmmm. wonder what would happen with a .995 ball? I feel a range trip coming on!

CP

I am going to cast up some hard balls for the 7ga. tomorrow and see how soft penetrates against hard. .875 dia. ball at 1100 fps.

 

[BS]

Link to Penetration Test

It was suggested that 125 grains of FF would penetrate just about as far as 175 FF using a .705 hard round ball.

So I did some testing at 35 yards with 10 sheets of 1/2 chipboard. That is all I had to waste. I was going to use an old 2x10, but it had too many knots.

100 FF and a Hard ball out penetrates 125 FF and pure lead, but not by much.

The 175 load out of my short barreled 73 is very powerful, but shoots well.

It all started out today, shooting tin cans with my 7ga.

Just thought I would share some testing.

I just added some shots from my 7ga. and two from a 54 cal. using 80FFF and 135FFF.

 

[Old Ironsights]

Link to Penetration Test

It was suggested that 125 grains of FF would penetrate just about as far as 175 FF using a .705 hard round ball.

So I did some testing at 35 yards with 10 sheets of 1/2 chipboard. That is all I had to waste. I was going to use an old 2x10, but it had too many knots.

100 FF and a Hard ball out penetrates 125 FF and pure lead, but not by much.

The 175 load out of my short barreled 73 is very powerful, but shoots well.

It all started out today, shooting tin cans with my 7ga.

Just thought I would share some testing.

The more I read threads like this, the more glad I am I ordered that 12ga Howda...

 

[Old Ironsights]

Who made your moulds? 12ga is what, .729? Would using a .715 and .015 ticking in a smoothbore be about right?

I need to get this stuff figured out before my Howda comes.

 

[Rebel]

I use a .690 ball patched with ticking in my double barrel .12 ga.

 

[Old Ironsights]

I use a .690 ball patched with ticking in my double barrel .12 ga.

Where did you get your mould?

Do youuse wheel-weights vs pure lead?

 

[Rebel]

I use pure lead. Check you PM's.

 

[BS]

Who made your moulds? 12ga is what, .729? Would using a .715 and .015 ticking in a smoothbore be about right?

I need to get this stuff figured out before my Howda comes.

My last odd sized molds [.705 and .725] have been built by Jeff Tanner, England.........nice brass, and any size!

Link to Jeff Tanner

You can find more mold links in the Muzzleloading Links section.

If your bore is a true 12 ga. at .729, .015 will be a little tight, about .016s of compression.