Smoothbore Ball Loads

[GregC]

There is a lot of talk out there about loading shot in the smoothbore but how does everybody load a solid ball?

I have been loading powder-card-wad-patched ball-card.

Does this make sense?

How do others do it?

Thanks

Greg

 

There are many ways to load a ball in a smoothbore and you have to find what yours likes best--they vary. I have tried a combo similar to yours, with and without patch; also: powder-patched ball, no wads; etc...some folks say the old timers didn't use cut wads, but just wadded up leaves or hornet nest material, etc. Ypu could also load it like military muskets with a paper cartridge. Some people like: powder, cushion wad, patched ball.

 

I had a 24 gauge NW Trade Gun that worked best when I used a cushion wad between the powder and a patched .575 ball. My 20 gauge Northstar West trade gun, however, doesn't like cushion wads behind the ball, so I just use a .600 Rapine ball and .018 pillow tick. My 16 gauge fusil shoots buck and ball better than just a ball, and my 28 gauge smooth rifle shoots a .520 ball but needs to be swabbed between every shot for some reason.

In other words, it takes some range time to figure out what your gun wants. Try everything--even paper cartridges and tow wadding (my 16 gauge likes that a lot but it starts fires every once in a while) -- and keep trying till you find what works. My advice, start with thick pillow tick and good old fashioned spit patched around a .600 round ball (assuming that it's a .62 caliber...) and go from there. If that works right away, Eureka!!!

However, I don't see the point in wasting over shot cards if you're running a patched ball. It's not going anywhere, and if it were to, a little over shot card wouldn't fix the problem. Same thing with the card. Most guys who use cushion wads do so for two reason: added compression and a cleaner barrel for the ball. The oily cushion pushes the crud down and the ball can slide down more easily. However, I wouldn't waste cards and cushions if I didn't have to. Try to find a tighter fitting patch and it should eliminate the problem, if there even is one.

:results:

 

[RiverRat]

Yep..what Stumblin Buffler said :agree:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/SmoothboreLoads.html

 

[riarcher]

Small ball, .027 BB soaked denum patch.
Shoots all day, very little fouling, nice groups, no swabing between any shots.
Life is "bliss" with the right combo (can really suck without it).

 

[flint62]

In my 62 cal smoothie I use a .600 rb patched with pillow ticking, lubed with Ballistol and water. 75 gr. 3f and this gun shoots.

 

[slow]

In my .62 likes a patched .600 ball over ninety grains of 3f. For hunting I use a patch lube made from deer fat & neatsfoot oil, for a trail shoot I use spit. on a good day I will whup the rifel boys.

Slow

 

[Stony]

With my 12 gauge
for paper: 65 gr 3f, .005 patch & .715 ball

for breakable/steel gong 65 gr 3f, over powder wad/card, .715 ball, over shot card

paper target is 25 yard pistol rapid fire target at 25 yards, best score has been 50 4x ::

 

[bpollock_sr]

In my 16 ga I use a .650 ball with a .005 patch lubed wet over 100 grns of 2ff swiss. It will do some pretty decent work with this load.

 

[pathfinderifh]

I've been shootin' smooth bores for years,and the kiss system works best. Powder,patch,ball.I shoot 4 different gun's.A.40cal smooth,.400round ball pillow tick patch,60grs 3f,A.50 smooth .495 round ball, pillow tick patch,90grs 3f A 20ga..610 round ball pillow tick,80grs 2f, and a 12ga..715 round ball,pillow tick 95grs 2f. I have on a good day won rifle matches with these guns. Load 'em hot and practice. For shot, 60grs.of what the gun uses,and equal measure of shot. I'll use wads and cards if I have them. The dead squirrels don't much care how it's loaded! I use whatever lube is handy. :results:

 

[rudy parnell]

Would you comment on the shot you use in your smoothbore? I am particularily interested in the .56cal cause thats all I got. But, as I continue my association with the muzzleloader and the FORUM ....I'm beginning to think, uh! I just ain't got enough guns! So while we're on the subject...which of them 4 smoothbores you got, that you like the best? And what do you recommend would be your next gun? Are you shootin cap locks or flint. Oh..I especially liked the part about the DEAD SQUIRRElS!