olde tyme smoothe bore accuracy

[John Tice]

In Harold Peterson’s book Arms and Armor in Colonial America he has interesting quotes that discuss this a bit. He notes that the use of buck and ball loads continued up to and throughout the Revolutionary War with shots including a ball and four to eight buckshot “according to the strength of their pieces.” Musket balls were also mutilated and cut up, sometimes nails were driven through the ball, and even old nails and bits of iron were shot. Such mutilated lead balls have been found on Revolutionary War archaeological sites, so there is more to it that just complaints of the British about such “atrocities.” Evidently the British also at times used such loads. After Lexington and Concord the British protested that the “Americans had cut their musket balls so they separated into four pieces.” I myself, have seen some of these modified balls at the New York Historical Museum in NYC. They are still on display. I think some of these improvised loads were done because ammunition was simply running low, though I think that the Americans did favor the use of buck and ball loads, the British referred to the later as “Yankee peas.” I agree in that when fighting lines of soldiers as they did, the buckshot could have been somewhat effective, and I don’t really see the Americans doing it if it wasn’t. I also think that then, like today, there was a whole range of experience and skill in handling guns in the population. Some men were active hunters and shot a lot, others had very little experience and exposure. I also think that then, like today, the older and experienced geezers :grin: played an important role sharing their experiences and knowledge about guns and how to use them the most effectively. :bow:

 

[faw3]

Please see dads post in Gen Muz, Shooting a 1/4 cut ball . for dad while hes in hospital, blaine.