Paper patch roundball in a civil war musket?

[justinoldguy]

I have never shot paper patched round balls in a musket, so take my opinion for what it is worth. However, I do have over a half century experience shooting traditional muzzleloaders, including original muskets. Linen or ticking patches can be made to shoot very well in muskets when using round ball. The problem I have experienced is that despite great groups, patched round balls hit very high in every musket I have shot them in. Literally 2 to 3 feet above the point of aim a 50 yards, whereas Minies are about 5" high at that same distance in my rifles. Now, this part of my reply is pure speculation, but I cannot imagine that a way undersized ball would have any accuracy at all with a paper patch. I believe the patch would burn/disintegrate, leaving the undersized ball to rattle down the bore in a random manner. I am aware that some Minie type projectiles use a paper patch, but those projectiles "bump up" to engage the rifling upon ignition, whereas a round ball will not. If I shot repro muskets, I would alter the sights to bring POA to POI if I wanted to shoot round ball, but I would never do that with an original antique. Just my $.02 based on many decades of shooting a wide variety of traditional muzzleloaders.

 

[brazosland]

I agree with the above poster, they will shoot high. In several of my two band guns and an original Mississippi (.58 cal) they all shot high.

Usually 6” or so at 50 yards. On deer that easy, just aim low. I also got the trajectory down by dropping the powder charge to about 50 grains. That’s still more than enough to drive a .570 ball right through any whitetail in North America at 50-75 yards.

For target practice, it’s easy to learn the proper hold based on distance. I also use wadding of some sort under the patches ball to protect the patch.