Here is an image of a 50 yard target shot this afternoon with the load I carried last deer season. Not just using the same amounts and components, but THE load I carried last year. Five shots in all, all prepared in 2006. Target was fired while sitting on the ground and using my knees to steady my forearms - a "field" position.
Shot #1 was loaded before regular season (the Saturday before Thanksgiving in 2006) and carried for two days. At that time I went to my flintlock . . . but decided to leave the charge in the New Englander. 0.490" cast ball, 0.018" cotton tick lubed with Moose Snot, a vegetable fiber wad over the powder and 85 gr 2Fg powder. I wiped the bore with Sheath and the rifle was left in the garage closet (unheated but connected to the house) with the rammer in the barrel. The remaining four shots were from a loading block also lubed with Moose Snot and in the belt pouch and also leftovers from last November.
The powder was stored in the same Nalgene pill bottles I carried for hunting.
Now, the accuracy was nothing to write home about, being somewhat open and about three inches above where it should be. I could only find one patch and it was black on one side but not torn or overly ratty. The lube did not appear to degrade it. The first three shots were fired without wiping between. Though I did have to use a tree as a rammer helper for #3 if you don't know that technique I will not explain farther as it can be hard on rammers). I ran a spit patch and continued and fired the last two without additional spit wiping. And remember, this lube was wiped on the patching and set into the block with balls last November!
All in all, I was pretty pleased with how well the old components shot. Nothing I will repeat or recommend, but interesting none the less. The rifle cleaned up well and has no evidence of rust, pitting or a grunge ring where the lube or powder sat.
Shot #1 was loaded before regular season (the Saturday before Thanksgiving in 2006) and carried for two days. At that time I went to my flintlock . . . but decided to leave the charge in the New Englander. 0.490" cast ball, 0.018" cotton tick lubed with Moose Snot, a vegetable fiber wad over the powder and 85 gr 2Fg powder. I wiped the bore with Sheath and the rifle was left in the garage closet (unheated but connected to the house) with the rammer in the barrel. The remaining four shots were from a loading block also lubed with Moose Snot and in the belt pouch and also leftovers from last November.
The powder was stored in the same Nalgene pill bottles I carried for hunting.
Now, the accuracy was nothing to write home about, being somewhat open and about three inches above where it should be. I could only find one patch and it was black on one side but not torn or overly ratty. The lube did not appear to degrade it. The first three shots were fired without wiping between. Though I did have to use a tree as a rammer helper for #3 if you don't know that technique I will not explain farther as it can be hard on rammers). I ran a spit patch and continued and fired the last two without additional spit wiping. And remember, this lube was wiped on the patching and set into the block with balls last November!
All in all, I was pretty pleased with how well the old components shot. Nothing I will repeat or recommend, but interesting none the less. The rifle cleaned up well and has no evidence of rust, pitting or a grunge ring where the lube or powder sat.
