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'?

 

[¡Señor.Casualidad!]

Put it through the chronograph today. 32" barrel 11 bore 2 3/4 dram square load and 3 dram square load. Both went about 900 fps with 2f graf and sons

 

[¡Señor.Casualidad!]

Put it through the chronograph today. 32" barrel 11 bore 2 3/4 dram square load and 3 dram square load. Both went about 900 fps with 2f graf and sons

As I recall this is pretty close the the velocity listed in the Lyman black powder Manual for there 26" barrel 12ga

 

[Britsmoothy]

Put it through the chronograph today. 32" barrel 11 bore 2 3/4 dram square load and 3 dram square load. Both went about 900 fps with 2f graf and sons

And why I don't use 2f or worse. Only good for breaking clay targets or making critters angry.

 

[WALT53]

And why I don't use 2f or worse. Only good for breaking clay targets or making critters angry.

Hey Nathan you blown away in the wind or did it miss you folks hope your good .

 

[Britsmoothy]

Hey Nathan you blown away in the wind or did it miss you folks hope your good .

We ok thanks. Ireland got it bad though.

Thanks.

 

[MrTwelvette]

I went on my local shoots clear up day today with my 8 bore zouave. I was a walking gun and had 1-6 shots a drive depending.

I started with loading 3.5 drams BP, an overpowder card. Then semolina and shot on top. But I managed to snap mu bamboo ramrod moving through some bramble so I ended up loading powder, then semolina then shot. It works well enough, I had two pheasants with semolina wad only. I felt like I was able to keep up with the breechloaders

 

[MrTwelvette]

I used a cigar box in an army surplus respirator pouch to hold individual wraps of powder, wad, and shot.

First time I've tried it. It worked great but not in the least bit weatherproof. I might do something in leather for next year

 

[Taevers]

I used a cigar box in an army surplus respirator pouch to hold individual wraps of powder, wad, and shot.

First time I've tried it. It worked great but not in the least bit weatherproof. I might do something in leather for next year

Darn good idea, Twelv. You’re a fellow that solves a problem with good old fashioned horse sense. I’m going to try to use your approach for hunting rabbits up at Sourdough in March. Thanks