Getting a 20 gauge blanket gun in a few days, wondering if I should load it like a pistol, or maybe a little stronger. Also would like opinions on inexpensive wads for loads of number 5 shot. Thanks
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Blanket gun
- Thread starter markdwhite15
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I've owned a couple, and several smoothbore pistols. For wads, Circle Fly is probably the most-common if you don't punch your own.
As for loads with a ball, my blanket guns were both 24 gauge (.58 caliber). I usually loaded them with ~80 grains FFg and a patched round ball. I used that load for hunting and woodswalks. As best I can recall, I got one antelope and a couple of deer with that load--never recovered a ball. (I also never took a shot >25 yards away, usually much less.)
As for loads with a ball, my blanket guns were both 24 gauge (.58 caliber). I usually loaded them with ~80 grains FFg and a patched round ball. I used that load for hunting and woodswalks. As best I can recall, I got one antelope and a couple of deer with that load--never recovered a ball. (I also never took a shot >25 yards away, usually much less.)
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When I rabbit hunt with my blanket gun, 40g 2fg, wasp nest, 60g #5 shot, wasp nest. Close still shots in thick brush, I don’t shoot at them on the run with blanket gun, I’ve gotten a few. It’s a hoot. Good luck.
About what I was thinking, at my age with loss of strength I don't know if I could hold on to it with a full load. Don't have any wasp nest, but I might try some raw sheeps wool.
I use wool and it works great.
Also won't smolder and cause a fire in the woods. Or so I'm told.
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Flanders knows what he's talking about . Try some light loads first and see how you like it . I dont shoot over 65 gr. in a full sized trade gun and I sure would not recommend you shoot anything near that in your blanket gun . . . Have fun and be safe .... Let us know how you like it
Track of the Wolf offers plenty of wad choices in most any gauge one can think of.
Blanket guns should be kept to lighter loads. They’re much lighter than full sized arms and will kick accordingly when loaded too hot.
Blanket guns should be kept to lighter loads. They’re much lighter than full sized arms and will kick accordingly when loaded too hot.
Just got my blanket gun, nice piece. I had surgery on my one good eye a week ago, so I won't be able to try it out for a while. Main reason I wanted it was I can't see the sights on my rifles anymore. Golden years my a××!
Any chance of pictures of it?
Look in the guns for sale, Blanket gun, lots of good photos, not sure I can copy them.
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Blanket guns are next to useless ....but SO much fun ! LOL ! Ive made a few of them . ..
Very nice. When loaded with buck n’ ball, they make a fine camp defense gun. As the name suggests they’re great to tuck under your blanket at night when sleeping under the stars.
Since I'm down to one not so good eye, I figured to transition to a .62 smooth flintlock pistol. I got the NSW blanket gun for less than the pistol parts at Zornes.
When they said that, they meant our underwear. Good luck on the eyeball recovery, been there done that.
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THE BLACK PRINCE
32 Cal
It's "Dumb Question from the Ignorant New Guy" Time!!!!
Are Blanket Guns primarily a thing with Eastern Woodland Tribes during the 17th-18th Cent or
is this practice carried on by Plains Tribes in the 19th century using cap locks??
Thank you for any Knowledge in advance!
Are Blanket Guns primarily a thing with Eastern Woodland Tribes during the 17th-18th Cent or
is this practice carried on by Plains Tribes in the 19th century using cap locks??
Thank you for any Knowledge in advance!
A true historic reference "blanket gun" was a severely cut down trade musket, but BOTH on the barrel and the stock. They were made for one event in the Eastern Woodland, Pontiac's Rebellion. They were called such by historians because the Indians wore strouds aka trade blankets as "matchcoats" and the guns were smuggled into the interior of British Forts by women beneath these blankets. At an appropriate signal, the women handed them to their men, and the forts were taken. They were made for a very specific purpose.
So this...,
Cut down to this:
Shortened muskets, aka Canoe Guns, became the rage a few decades back. Ironic for the existence of short trade guns or trade muskets was more likely a plains Indian culture thing for easy use when riding up close to bison when hunting the bison, not for use from a canoe. BUT they were first marketed as handy for folks in canoes hunting squirrels, or deer on the banks of a creek, so the name stuck. Canoe Guns are sometimes called "blanket guns" but they are longer, completed usually with a front sight bead or post, have a rammer, and a stock much closer to a full stock, or in some cases a full stock.
Canoe Gun
Here is a previous thread on Blanket Guns
2007 Forum Blanket Gun Thread
LD
THE BLACK PRINCE
32 Cal
So it sounds like genuine Blanket Guns were not some long term cultural thing.
And that Canoe Guns might more accurately be terms "Mounted Buffalo Hunting Guns"?
I can see that, shorter guns are often issued to mounted troops for obvious reasons.
I'm looking at sitting fox's "Canoe Guns" and they don't seem cut down hardly at all! (most of their pictures of finished guns don't actually show the entire gun).
Well, thank you for the comprehensive answer!
And that Canoe Guns might more accurately be terms "Mounted Buffalo Hunting Guns"?
I can see that, shorter guns are often issued to mounted troops for obvious reasons.
I'm looking at sitting fox's "Canoe Guns" and they don't seem cut down hardly at all! (most of their pictures of finished guns don't actually show the entire gun).
Well, thank you for the comprehensive answer!
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Hey Mark how’s Rosie have you been shooting er much hope your eyes problem gets solved .You could also put a little oil on some 4-6” paper and roll it up and stuff it down for wads ,every body has news paper .
Howdy Black Prince. Welcome to the forum. If you're wanting one I'd probably talk to Rob M. about it. All those pictures he posted, I think, are guns he built. Dude makes a nice trade gun. And is pretty easy going too. Probably might make it whatever length you want too as long as you bribe him with a pizza...
