Traditions Blunderbuss heavy load

[JJohnson2023]

Hey guys, I tested out a new load for the traditions .54 blunderbuss based on someone's .54 smoothbore hunting load in another thread. I used
60 grains hodgon's triple 7 3f granulation( I don't want to hear it about not using real BP)
.54 wool wad over powder
80 grains of shot(#6)
and a wad over shot
At 20 yards the pattern had 30 average hits into what I consider the kill zone. I also skychiefed it by soaking the front wad(2 wads glued together) in olive oil, and I believe that made the pattern much more uniform and had far fewer game sized holes in the pattern.

Let me know what you think

 

[Britsmoothy]

So, did you do a heavy load?

 

[JJohnson2023]

So, did you do a heavy load?

It's a very light gun, this load was very unpleasant as is. No need for more powder or shot.

 

[TCMonts]

Don't forget to say "Hold my beer." Before trying one of @Britsmoothy 's heavy loads. ;^)

 

[TCMonts]

30 hits in what size kill zone? Rabbit, squirrel, turkey?

 

[JJohnson2023]

30 hits in what size kill zone? Rabbit, squirrel, turkey?

My unit of measurement is the tried and true standardized paper plate. about 8 inches in diameter

 

[TCMonts]

Back when I first started bow hunting in the late 70s people would ask "You think you can kill one with that?" and I think the standard answer was "If he comes out wearing a paper plate, he's mine." ;^D

 

[JJohnson2023]

Back when I first started bow hunting in the late 70s people would ask "You think you can kill one with that?" and I think the standard answer was "If he comes out wearing a paper plate, he's mine." ;^D

That's a great one lol

 

[billraby]

60 grains is not a heavy load. In the 4 bore I am going up to 500 grain powder charges with a 1700 grain ball. It makes life fun!

 

[wganz]

60 grains is not a heavy load. In the 4 bore I am going up to 500 grain powder charges with a 1700 grain ball. It makes life fun!

I paid & went through enough with that right molar root canal and don’t want to experience that yet again.

Linkage to recoil calculator.

 

[cynthialee]

I load 50 grains of 3f Goex in mine and that is plenty powder. That short barrel doesn't need a lot of powder to make it go.

While I know I could likely hunt with the blunderbuss, I would be much more comfortable using my .56 renegade or the trusty dusty old .410 Pardner suppository gun for small game.