Bare Ball Better With Fillers?

[nkbj]

Anybody found better accuracy with bare ball loads using a filler behind the ball?

 

[nwtradegun]

PATCHED RD. BALL is the way to go.

 

[wattlebuster]

Nope.I tried it an not good out of my 12 ga. Patched ball just like in a rifle for me :hatsoff:

 

[tenngun]

I don't use a 'filler' will make a wad out of tow, piled hemp cord, or picked wool, that's been greased I leave it just a bit fluffy at the top and nest the ball into it.
At 50 yards my prb shoots tighter groups, but at 25 tha wadded ball and prb shoots the same, and wadded at 50 yards will give good deer killing accuracy

 

[Maven]

Some guns will shoot better that way. In others, it will make little difference. Check out Mike Beliveau's article on loading RB's in smoothbores in the July - August '15 issue of "Muzzleloader" magazine for this and other loading variations.

 

[spudnut]

patching in a smoothbore is a hassle,I prefer wadding,never have to worry about a stuck ball , Ive never tried the filler method(cream of wheat ??) i use wasp nest ,tow, or paper cartridges that creates sort of a sabot effect when loading.

 

[Ron LaClair]

Smoothbores is like wimmen, they ain't no two alike, so ya gotta fiddle with em to find out what makes em happy. :nono:

 

[Ron LaClair]

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I used to PRB my smoothy, but compared to using a balled up wad of tow below and above the ball, that is a hassle that is not needed. My groups stayed exactly the same using the same load of 85 grains of 3Fg and instead of a .520 ball with a .024 patch I now use a .535 ball with tow.

I don’t lube the balled up wads and somehow I only have to run a moist patch followed by a dry patch about every 15 shots or so and keep the vent hole clear. I don’t know how that works but I keep loading and it keeps shooting without a wet patching every shot. By the way, I am a big proponent of patching after every shot so this is new to me.

 

[Grandpa Ron]

Best accuracy so far is a cushion wad under a PRB.

A lubed wad is better than a dry wad. The difference is small but consistent.

I have a friend that uses a bare ball directly on the powder with a thin top wad.

As mentioned they are all different.

 

[Maven]

Good Cheer, The video in post #3 is worth watching: Go to the Cast Boolits >Muzzle Loading sub forum and then to my post on A Good Article on Patched RB Smoothbore Loading, the post #3.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I agree, for my smoothbore patch round ball is the way to go and it is easy to load.

 

[RAEDWALD]

Perhaps not filler. But Bill Curtis (multiple international musket champion) taught me to load a smoothbore with (assembled just into the muzzle) two felt wads, a ball as larges as can be readily fitted, a circle of KY Jelly around the ball, a single felt wad and the whole assemble then rammed gently home onto the charge. the KY Jelly will wet the bore onto old fouling and the following wads rub it off on the way out. Lets you load a large ball for multiple shots without cleaning and without the effort of forcing a tightly patched ball down the barrel.

 

[Dewey]

Perhaps not filler. But Bill Curtis (multiple international musket champion) taught me to load a smoothbore with (assembled just into the muzzle) two felt wads, a ball as larges as can be readily fitted, a circle of KY Jelly around the ball, a single felt wad and the whole assemble then rammed gently home onto the charge. the KY Jelly will wet the bore onto old fouling and the following wads rub it off on the way out. Lets you load a large ball for multiple shots without cleaning and without the effort of forcing a tightly patched ball down the barrel.

What size felt wads are you using, Raedwald ???

 

[spudnut]

I just tend to use traditional methods as much as possible,I do lube my paper cartridges with a natual oil and beeswax mix,
Ive never read an historical account of patched balls in a smoothbore (rifles yes) and since it is mentioned about wadding that is what I monkey around with.Miost shooters I know DO patch but after wadding they like this way of shooting.I dont use felt wads as they're too bulky to carry around.If I carry any kind of wad its wasp nest or tow sometimes 2x1 paper.My 75 cal bess shoots a 69 ball just fine with wadding

 

[The O'Dea]

I will stand with Spudnut :v I have been shootin muskets for over fourty(40)years. Was taught by men who are long gone. I figure that they knew a damn sight more than most of us here. Can't see any reason to try to re-invent the wheel. Whaqt was good enough for my ancestors, is sure good enough for this child. And yes, I use musket government (1FG) powder :stir:

- The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

 

[The O'Dea]

-Lads,
Just one more little comment. I shoot either buck 'n ball paper ctgs., or a horn. I have never felt the need for a priming horn. Way too much fufra a hanging round ones neck :grin:

- The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

 

[RAEDWALD]

One size up from the bore eg 11 in a 12 bore. 1/8th inch thickness is enough. It is to seal and scour the bore walls. Not to cushion the ball.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Ive never read an historical account of patched balls in a smoothbore

That may be, I don't doubt it.
But, most of us here are after optimum accuracy. Have you experimented with patched vs. unpatched?

And, I'm wondering if a wadded ball might creep when carrying like on a hunt.

I am yet to master the smoothie. But I do want accuracy and safety with mine.

 

[Britsmoothy]

:rotf: