Historical Coach Gun Loads

[Walkabout]

How were coach guns of the mid 19th century loaded? What types of wads, charges, and ammo was typically used in these guns? Thanks

 

[Clark Badgett]

Just exactly what is a coach gun? Blunderbuss, double barrel fowler, regular fowler, a brace of pistols?

 

[Walkabout]

Just exactly what is a coach gun? Blunderbuss, double barrel fowler, regular fowler, a brace of pistols?

Something like this.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

The correct answer is whatever they had to fit down the barrel. But historically it was buckshot type shot. Was what I read in the past was they used pre-rolled undersized paper cartridges rip one end, dump powder, rest goes in on top of it shove down and the rolled paper holds shot in place - prime and fire. The author stated it was close range firefights with a moving coach being guarded from horse mounted outlaws. It was not so much about accuracy as most shots were close it was about rate of fire, and getting a quick spread with lead to make up for accuracy. This was why many coach guns had shorter or cutoff barrels. They were easier to faster to load on the move, easier and faster to shoot, and shot spread quicker. Hope this helps. If I run across the book I'll share details with ya. But I been out of the cowboy shooting stuff for a while now.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Check out the Confederate usage of double barrels.

For a 12 bore, a charge of 9-12 pellets of 00 or #1 buck on top of 70 grains of powder will work well. The stopping power is not to be underestimated.

 

[smokeum54]

Not a coach gun but ive had a lot of fun blowing stuff up with my 10ga. with 15 #1 buck and 80gr 2f.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

These are the results of a Pedersoli 12 gauge loaded with military buckshot cartridges:

It’ll do the job!

 

[Walkabout]

These are the results of a Pedersoli 12 gauge loaded with military buckshot cartridges:

View attachment 351180

View attachment 351181

It’d do the job!

How did you make the cartridges? Did you use a template? Thanks

 

[CyrusP]

While I won’t be cutting down my Pedersoli Classic 12 gauge (she’s a lovely, old, wispy thing, and light as a feather) I will some day own a 10 gauge and carefully cut the barrels down for a percussion street sweeper. I’ll wait for a beat up copy.