Shooting shot from rifled muzzleloaders ( with mixed results )

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Several weeks ago...a viewer asked if I have ever tried shooting shot out of a rifled black powder gun. I haven't until now.....
Enjoy....

 

[LawrenceA]

Surprised the patters were that even. I expected a donut!

 

[firestick]

Wonder what using an oversized wool felt wad under and over the shot would do from the rifled barrels?

 

[LawrenceA]

Spin the shot???
Maybe???

 

[Hammond79]

The ole Kentucky might make a turkey gun in a pinch? Good video!

 

[LawrenceA]

Especially with PRB!

 

[user 49399]

I tried almost the same thing in a T/C Hawken percussion 50 cal except I used wasper nest for wads over powder and over shot. Makes a good squirrel load out to about 25 yds. I use wasper nest for wadding in my 62 cal flintlock smooth bore also. Cheap, plentiful and works good.

 

[Carbon 6]

It's actually an excellent demonstration on just how inefficient it is to use a rifled barrel as a shotgun. Even with extra shot than what would be normally load, the rifles scored less hits. Shot is expensive, why waste it. You also run the risk of wounding your game.

 

[Hammond79]

I'll admit he might have used a heavy charge of small shot, but 7-10 hits on a ~turkey head size target is impressive for a blackpowder shotgun at that range much less one that measures 39-40 gauge. Especially considering a rifled bore is notorious for the "donut" pattern spoken of above.
I do not advocate a .50 rifle as a turkey shotgun. But the results to me are surprising given the small bore and fairly long range. Cut the range in half and it might not be folly to consider it if you had to. Of course if you "had to" the ball would be quite effective for a much greater range.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I did it years ago and came to the conclusion that not all the shot is affected by a centrifugal force.

 

[Squatch84]

You really peppered that Devil up.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Guess if you only had 1 rifled gun you can make shot work occasionally at short distances.
Thanks for watching fellows....it was a fun experiment.
More unusual videos coming soon....

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

It's actually an excellent demonstration on just how inefficient it is to use a rifled barrel as a shotgun. Even with extra shot than what would be normally load, the rifles scored less hits. Shot is expensive, why waste it. You also run the risk of wounding your game.

Yep..I agree.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Wonder what using an oversized wool felt wad under and over the shot would do from the rifled barrels?

Not sure...I may try this one again using wool felt wads, cardboard cards and shot rolled in paper.
Should be interesting.

 

[biliff]

FWIW, It appears the shot was measured using a percussion cap tin. Out of pure curiosity, I took a CCI tin, filled it with shot and weighed it. Came out to 3 oz.. Pretty excessive shot weight for any of the firearms being used and more in line with an 8 ga. The only saving grace was the light powder charge (just over 2 drams) and the lack of any meaningful seal in the bore. You might try something more in line with standard shot loads, like the same volume of shot and powder especially if you intend to actually seal the bore with a wad. FWIW a .50 caliber is slightly smaller than a 28 ga shotgun.

Given you were throwing over 1000 pellets down range you managed to prove that if you throw enough lead balls down range you might hit something.

 

[biliff]

Given the heavy shot charge, light powder charge, small shot size and lack of a bore seal and the resulting low velocity, I would question using it as a hunting load, especially for turkey. A tin can penetration test might be in order as well.

 

[amcmullen]

Were both rifles 1:48? Heard the traditions but didn't on the pedersoli . Not that I'm planning on doing this. Just curious

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

FWIW, It appears the shot was measured using a percussion cap tin. Out of pure curiosity, I took a CCI tin, filled it with shot and weighed it. Came out to 3 oz.. Pretty excessive shot weight for any of the firearms being used and more in line with an 8 ga. The only saving grace was the light powder charge (just over 2 drams) and the lack of any meaningful seal in the bore. You might try something more in line with standard shot loads, like the same volume of shot and powder especially if you intend to actually seal the bore with a wad. FWIW a .50 caliber is slightly smaller than a 28 ga shotgun.

Given you were throwing over 1000 pellets down range you managed to prove that if you throw enough lead balls down range you might hit something.

Thanks for that fantastic info! I didn't bring anything to measure it with me that trip. 3 oz is definitely too much shot for those little ol' guns. I'll definitely try this again with lessor load next time. Also...I'll take several sheets of cardboard & replace it after every shot to show the patterns. That's something I thought of AFTER the video was finished.
I'm looking forward to try this one again soon. Thanks. Fabulous info!

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Were both rifles 1:48? Heard the traditions but didn't on the pedersoli . Not that I'm planning on doing this. Just curious

Yes...both were 1:48 twist. The only difference is barrel length. Thanks for watching.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Given the heavy shot charge, light powder charge, small shot size and lack of a bore seal and the resulting low velocity, I would question using it as a hunting load, especially for turkey. A tin can penetration test might be in order as well.

I can make that happen...great ideas, thanks.