Justin.P, if you do, please keep us posted.
Interesting info from the Lewis and Clark expedition
- Thread starter Ohio Rusty
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Wish I could tell you mine was an accident
, more of "let's see what will happen if.....". Yeah, I was a knucklehead.
William Sublette
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2020
- Messages
- 722
- Reaction score
- 1,385
I get the impression there's lots of people on here that never succumbed to curiosity in their misspent youth.
There's not much you can't shoot out of a mountain man rifle. And, flaming arrows never stay lit.
There's not much you can't shoot out of a mountain man rifle. And, flaming arrows never stay lit.
Curiosity got the better of me... I tried pieces of green boxelder branch. Once or twice just a snug fit to the bore, and twice more slightly smaller with a patch. Used 30 grains 2F. Enough power to completely penetrate both sides of a large cardboard box. Plenty enough to kill a rabbit... if you can hit it. Closest I came to the bull was about 4 inches away. This was off hand around 15 yards. Yes, they were tumbling.
Maybe a whole handful of sticks would increase the odds a bit!
That's exactly how I suspected it would go, it would be just dumb luck if you could actually hit anything. But dumb luck is better than no luck when you ain't got any lead.
A huge thank you to Adam in WI!!! OK, here we go . . . Would the accuracy improve if the patch was lubed with genuine sperm whale oil or saliva from a mermaid? Would a maple tree branch trump boxelder? Would 21.3 gr of the "new" Goex be the ticket to one hole accuracy? We'll never know unless Adam, or some other daring guy, jumps in the deep end. Seriously, thanks, Adam!
I like Justin's idea... just use more sticks!
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2019
- Messages
- 165
- Reaction score
- 220
I wonder why he just didn't use some stones/pebbles?
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 1,407
- Reaction score
- 2,205
Stones and pebbles are too hard and would tear up the rifling. If the stick was pointed, would it make any difference?
Ohio Rusty ><>
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2019
- Messages
- 165
- Reaction score
- 220
in a survival situation, i wouldn't care
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2019
- Messages
- 6,232
- Reaction score
- 9,519
In early 1970's , when Pennies dept store had a sportings good dept , they sold H+A underhammer percussion rifles in .45 cal. . My inventive buddy , used to load junk practice arrows into the H+A underhammer , and shoot them for fun. The feathers would be blasted off , but I don't remember anything about accuracy. Probably rabbits at close range would work.
Just another thought....
I don't know if old George Shannon had any patch material left. But if the ground wasn't to frozen or the snow to deep, I can't help but wonder if a "slug" of sand or dirt tied up in some ticking might be more accurate than a stick.
I know it's too dark now Adam, but let us know at first light how it works, ok?
I don't know if old George Shannon had any patch material left. But if the ground wasn't to frozen or the snow to deep, I can't help but wonder if a "slug" of sand or dirt tied up in some ticking might be more accurate than a stick.
I know it's too dark now Adam, but let us know at first light how it works, ok?
longcruise
70 Cal.
Some probably be here but spent their lives.
Did the original source claim he had a rifle? I thought a majority of arms at that point were smooth bore. If it wasn't a rifle, small pebbles would've absolutely been my first choice. I'm sure enough leaves, grass, hide would've been available for wadding.
William Sublette
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2020
- Messages
- 722
- Reaction score
- 1,385
Oooh good idea.Just another thought....
I don't know if old George Shannon had any patch material left. But if the ground wasn't to frozen or the snow to deep, I can't help but wonder if a "slug" of sand or dirt tied up in some ticking might be more accurate than a stick.
I know it's too dark now Adam, but let us know at first light how it works, ok?
William Sublette
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2020
- Messages
- 722
- Reaction score
- 1,385
Seems like there was a good variety. A smooth bore could've certainly been possible.
http://westernexplorers.us/Lewis-an... of the,Indians with its repeating operation.
Is this incident in the journal or in a book about the expedition?
Last edited:
I've heard of smoking meat with Hickory but never shooting with it. I'll have to change my mantra to "powder, patch, stick" from "powder, patch, ball".
Similar threads
- Locked
