Traditions Blunderbuss kit

[trapperchris]

Posted this pic on another thread. Just showing it off. Put it together during the lockdown. Haven't gotten around to shooting it yet. Probably should one of these days.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Cool. Been wanting one of those. Another forum member posted pics of one last year. He had unscrewed the funnel and had a machine shop make a threaded cap to go on the end. I think he also put a bead sight in it. That's my plan if I ever get one. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[JJohnson2023]

I've worked up many loads for the .54 blunderbuss if you're interested.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Neat but it's a shame it's just a .54. Most true blunderbusses were 12 gauge (.73 caliber) on up. This small bore gun Traditions makes is dubiously useful with buckshot.

 

[longcruise]

Neat but it's a shame it's just a .54. Most true blunderbusses were 12 gauge (.73 caliber) on up. This small bore gun Traditions makes is dubiously useful with buckshot.

I didn't know they made such a thing. What does one do with it? I know, dumb question. Doesn't need a practical application to bring on the grinning.

Would have been formidable at the Little Big Horn.

 

[trapperchris]

I've worked up many loads for the .54 blunderbuss if you're interested.

Sure thing. I'd appreciate it.

 

[trapperchris]

I didn't know they made such a thing. What does one do with it? I know, dumb question. Doesn't need a practical application to bring on the grinning.

Would have been formidable at the Little Big Horn.

I'm not real sure what to do with it yet besides just playing around with it. Maybe make a close in rabbit gun? I just thought it was something different and had plenty of time during lock down. I did alot of super fine grit sanding to get everything to fit and line up so nothing was binding. Settled on a cherry finish and about 5 light coats of epoxy.
And a larger caliber/bore would have been alright but this is what was available.

 

[kyron4]

I'm not real sure what to do with it yet besides just playing around with it. Maybe make a close in rabbit gun? I just thought it was something different and had plenty of time during lock down. I did alot of super fine grit sanding to get everything to fit and line up so nothing was binding. Settled on a cherry finish and about 5 light coats of epoxy.
And a larger caliber/bore would have been alright but this is what was available

Military Heritage sells an India made blunderbuss in .69 caliber.

 

[Salt River Johnny]

On my list to find one. That is nice!

 

[JJohnson2023]

Sure thing. I'd appreciate it.

I use 3f 777 in all my loads for the .54, but 2f goex has given good results. I also use lubed felt .54 wads. A good small game load would be 80 gr of shot, 60 gr of 777, and a wad over power and shot. Out to 20-25 yards this has given good patterns for me. For round ball use a .530 ball, with a .010 lubed patch over 80 gr of 777. An unpatched ball works fine, but I think the patch is more accurate in my tests. For more fun loads, a 28 gauge plastic wad will fit snugly in the bore and you can do lighter loads, while maintaining good patterns. I have found that a .54 plastic sabot holds about half an ounce of shot, and can make some fun target loads. A word of caution, this thing is LOUD, maybe the loudest thing I've ever heard, make sure to wear hearing protection.

 

[Packrat]

I have the same kit, but I turned it into a Flintlock. Queen Anne Lock was almost a perfect fit

 

[trapperchris]

I use 3f 777 in all my loads for the .54, but 2f goex has given good results. I also use lubed felt .54 wads. A good small game load would be 80 gr of shot, 60 gr of 777, and a wad over power and shot. Out to 20-25 yards this has given good patterns for me. For round ball use a .530 ball, with a .010 lubed patch over 80 gr of 777. An unpatched ball works fine, but I think the patch is more accurate in my tests. For more fun loads, a 28 gauge plastic wad will fit snugly in the bore and you can do lighter loads, while maintaining good patterns. I have found that a .54 plastic sabot holds about half an ounce of shot, and can make some fun target loads. A word of caution, this thing is LOUD, maybe the loudest thing I've ever heard, make sure to wear hearing protection.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do some experimenting. I shoot mostly 3F BP in just about everything these days.