Hungarian Load (In Praise of Wheat)

[MrTwelvette]

I've been shooting my true cylinder 8 bore zouave single barrel percussion gun at a pattern plate today. I couldn't quite get what I wanted from a skychief load, but I did try the Hungarian load configuration described in this link



And was very happy with the results

I loaded 3.5 drams black powder (henry krank medium) then poured in 4 drams of course semolina (wheat middlings? I'm not sure of the American translation) then 2oz of no.5 shot and an overshot card.

The pattern was nice and even about 3.5- 4 foot at 30 yards. No big holes. No doughnut. I'll be confident shooting at pheasant to 30 yards.

I won't claim this load shoots right like the skychief is reported to. It has other advantages, being quick, oil free, and in my case patterning evenly

I've not shot any game with this load yet. Any experience or tips would be gratefully received.

 

[Taevers]

I've been shooting my true cylinder 8 bore zouave single barrel percussion gun at a pattern plate today. I couldn't quite get what I wanted from a skychief load, but I did try the Hungarian load configuration described in this link



And was very happy with the results

I loaded 3.5 drams black powder (henry krank medium) then poured in 4 drams of course semolina (wheat middlings? I'm not sure of the American translation) then 2oz of no.5 shot and an overshot card.

The pattern was nice and even about 3.5- 4 foot at 30 yards. No big holes. No doughnut. I'll be confident shooting at pheasant to 30 yards.

I won't claim this load shoots right like the skychief is reported to. It has other advantages, being quick, oil free, and in my case patterning evenly

I've not shot any game with this load yet. Any experience or tips would be gratefully received.

Thanks for passing along the information. I do intend to give it go alongside of other top recipes others have suggested for cylinder bores. It’s a really time consuming endeavor to identify the best patterns. Need to get a raiding party together and capture me an educated human from the neighboring tribe for the summer

 

[WALT53]

Thanks for passing along the information. I do intend to give it go alongside of other top recipes others have suggested for cylinder bores. It’s a really time consuming endeavor to identify the best patterns. Need to get a raiding party together and capture me an educated human from the neighboring tribe for the summer

Some use corn muffin mix or cornmeal does the same thing .

 

[cynthialee]

same reasons I use cornmeal or cream of wheat
works well

 

[Britsmoothy]

Which grade powder?
What was did you try before?

 

[MrTwelvette]

Which grade powder?
What was did you try before?

For the skychief I was using henry krank medium black powder. I can't tell you the swiss equivalent.

Loaded as follows
Powder 3.5 drams (96 grains)
Overpowder hard card/ nito card
2 oz no.5 shot
Thin paper over shot card
Commercial fibre wad soaked in vegetable oil

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

All this talk of cornmeal and wheat is making me Hungary…

 

[¡Señor.Casualidad!]

This is how I've been loading for the sporting range. I use equal volume of all three components for simplicity sake. It is probably the best compromise between pattern quality-velocity-and ease/time of loading. Super quick and easy to load. I can go for a round of 100 birds shooting 100+ shots, and it doesn't get any more difficult to load. No wiping or swabing of the bore is required. I've used semolina, fine ground oats, and corn meal they all appear to do the same. Corn meal works great in my powder horn. I think a combo of this loading method and britsmoothy's would be worth some attention

Powder charge
Then a few thin overshot cards to aid in creating a good gas seal(brits part)
Then the semolina/corn meal for cushion/buffer
Shot
Thin card on top

 

[Taevers]

This is how I've been loading for the sporting range. I use equal volume of all three components for simplicity sake. It is probably the best compromise between pattern quality-velocity-and ease/time of loading. Super quick and easy to load. I can go for a round of 100 birds shooting 100+ shots, and it doesn't get any more difficult to load. No wiping or swabing of the bore is required. I've used semolina, fine ground oats, and corn meal they all appear to do the same. Corn meal works great in my powder horn. I think a combo of this loading method and britsmoothy's would be worth some attention

Powder charge
Then a few thin overshot cards to aid in creating a good gas seal
Then the semolina/corn meal for cushion/buffer
Shot
Thin card on top

Thanks for sharing your experience. As soon as the weather gets better, I’m going out after rabbits. In the evenings before feeding the fire, I’ll be patterning and learning. Mucho Gracious

 

[WALT53]

Thanks for sharing your experience. As soon as the weather gets better, I’m going out after rabbits. In the evenings before feeding the fire, I’ll be patterning and learning. Mucho Gracious

I found that once you get the right amount of powder all you need is 2 thin cards op and 1 thin card over the shot and nothing else .

 

[Taevers]

I found that once you get the right amount of powder all you need is 2 thin cards op and 1 thin card over the shot and nothing else .

That’s what I load in my double. I read Starrs information on loading years ago and felt he was experienced enough that who was I to say otherwise. My reproduction double was chocked, so it made it easier loading. So there was that. My new Fowler is Cyl bore and 20 gauge. 25 yard square loads looked a bit weak so I’ll be having to learn a bit there. Plan on using it for all my bird hunting this coming season and learn shooting it proper. Ducks and ptarmigan will prolly be winning a lot more often this season!! Looking forward to it.

 

[Eterry]

That’s what I load in my double. I read Starrs information on loading years ago and felt he was experienced enough that who was I to say otherwise. My reproduction double was chocked, so it made it easier loading. So there was that. My new Fowler is Cyl bore and 20 gauge. 25 yard square loads looked a bit weak so I’ll be having to learn a bit there. Plan on using it for all my bird hunting this coming season and learn shooting it proper. Ducks and ptarmigan will prolly be winning a lot more often this season!! Looking forward to it.

I agree, if you haven't read V. M. Starr's treatise on shooting muzzleloading shotguns, then shame on you.
I often wonder what became of 'Sue Betsy'?