Range Report - Blunderbuss

[rickystl]

Hello all. I've always wanted one of these. I realise there is no prctical target or hunting value. But I wanted one anyway. I bought this a little over a year ago second hand from Mike Brooks. I finally got it out today to test fire. On the "fun to shoot" scale, it rates right at the top.
Specs:
-Eurpoean Blunderbuss
-Lock: Davis, Early Germanic (I think)
-Barrel: 11 Guage, by Ben Coogle. (Very thick breech for heavy loads). 1 3/8" Breech, 1 3/4" Bell.
-Stock: Looks like Walnut?
-Tapered, brass-tipped metal rod threaded for accessories.
-Builder: Mike Brooks, IA #102.

Load: Well, where do you start with this thing. I guess you have to view this as a personal protection weapon. So I asked myself what kind of load would I like to shoot? So here was my first try: 90 grains FFG Goex, one over-powder card, one pre-lubed vegetable wad, 10 each .36 Hornandy swaged balls, and finally two over-shot cards. :shocked2:
Shot this load three times at three different targets at 7 yards. I couldn't believe my eyes. What a lucky first guess. Results very similar on all three targets. (See targets at end of Post). Next trip I'll take it out to 10 yards and see if there is still any pattern. Don't believe this gun will be very effective past 15 yards. But I guess that's all it was designed for? With that large volumn of lead, the recoil was pretty stout. But what a blast to shoot. And the great patterns make it that much more fun. All I need now is a Ship to Board!! Anyway, thanks for looking and enjoy. Rick.

 

[George]

Very nice gun and a good report, thanks. In case you are landlocked with no ships to board, don't despair. The Continental Congress accepted blunderbusses as primary armament for the cavalry units of the Continental Army.

"The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: March 7, 1778
In CONGRESS, February 27, 1778.

LIST OF NECESSATIES AND ACCOUTREMENTS by each HORSEMAN.
2. A carbine, fusee, or short blunderbuss; the barrel of the blunderbuss not to exceed two feet in length."

Looks like a fun gun.

Spence

 

[Zip]

Nice going Ricky. That would shiver me (and anyone else's) timbers for sure! Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rickystl]

Thanks Spence. I've never read that anywhere else. Yes, it's a blast to shoot. Rick.

 

[JOHN F]

ricky ,stop wasting your time with that gun,just ship it to delaware so i can hold it for you!! :wink: damn really pretty gun ,mr brooks can build some really beautiful and well aged i might add guns..the nose under the barrel is really cool how it is so paper thin ..reaaly awesome gun..ps what is her name???

 

[rickystl]

Hi Flies. Agreed. Mike builds some great looking guns. Yes, the slim architecture at the muzzle with that ramrod looks good. I don't have a name for her yet. Any suggestions? Thanks, Rick.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Martha Raye. ;-)

Have a blast with it!

 

[Darkgael]

Nice report.
I have a 14 gauge blunderbuss with a 14 inch barrel. It has given me hand-sized buckshot patterns at ten yards.
If you'd like to tighten up your patterns farther out, try less powder. You are shooting 3+ drams with 90 grain load. Drop it back to 2 1/2 drams (70 grains) and then try 2 3/4 drams (75 grains). See what happens.
I can see a hunting use for one of these when looking for grouse in very thick cover.
Pete

PS - I am due a Mike Brooks fowler next Spring. Can't hardly wait.
P

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

That is one fine looking thunder gun!

 

[wattlebuster]

I sure would hate to be looking at the business end of it :thumbsup:

 

[Homesteader]

Love it! How long's the barrel?

 

[rickystl]

Pete: Yes, I'm going to try that. I'm sure I will get a tighter pattern. I'll bet this gun reacts well to all kinds of experimentation. Thanks, Rick.

 

[rickystl]

Darn....I forgot?? :redface: I'll measure tonight. Weighs 8.5 pounds. Rick.

 

[xring2245]

Your grade for this assignment is a Bluss10. Congrats.

James

 

[trent/OH]

She seems to shoot a little to the left. I think it'll be tough to bend that barrel!

Maybe I missed it, but what caliber or gauge is she?

 

[rickystl]

Barrel length measures 18" on the nose.

 

[rickystl]

Yes, I noticed that too. Just slightly to the left. I held it a little different the 3rd shot. Seemed to straighten out a bit. I was happy that all 10 .36 cal. balls would pattern at all. That's like two whole cylinders from an 1862 Police revolver hitting all at once :shocked2: It's hard to know where to point the barrel due to the muzzle flare. I guess they just pointed it in the general direction at close range.
Next trip out I'll lower the powder charge to 75GR of FFG, and use "00" or .31 cal balls. Shoud get a better pattern. Rick.

 

[rickystl]

11 guage.

 

[flintlockmdj]

How big were the target papers?

 

[rickystl]

Hi. Targets were BIG. 22" wide X 28" tall. Similar to the human targets you see the modern pistol shooters use.
It's stiff white construction paper. A little pricy at $1.19 each, but very useful for different types of sighting in. In this case I just wanted to see if the 10 .36 cal. balls would pattern at all, having no idea what to expect. Rick.