Smooth Bore Tricks

Colt Fanning · October 17, 2011, 08:25:10 AM

Howdy,
Does anyone have tips for shooting a smoothbore muzzleloader pistol? Should you use conicals or balls for best accuracy?
If balls are used how much oversize should they be? i.e. How much of a flat spot should be created when they are swaged
into the barrel. The barrel length is 3 3/4 in and it is 36 cal.
Regards
Colt

Slowhand Bob · October 17, 2011, 08:46:42 AM

I have very little experience with smooth bore and perhaps some will tune in and help us out. Until then I will tell you what I would try, I would go with round ball and a good wet patch to seal the charge, there is no rifling for the patch to latch on to. Thats my story and I am a sticking to it (until I change my mind)!

wildman1 · October 17, 2011, 11:08:31 AM

The ball should be UNDERSIZED not oversized. For instance a 490 RB is used in a 50 cal with a lubed patch rangeing between 10 to 15 thousands of an inch in thickness. Sometimes, when there was no lube available the patch would be wet in yer mouth before being used. In this case the gun should be fired in a relatively short period of time as the patch can actually create rust in the barrel. The patch should be 100% cotton, not treated with anything that will melt and leave a hard deposit in the barrel. WM

Forty Rod · October 17, 2011, 11:14:55 AM

JFWIW, a smoothbore won't be as accurate as a rifled barrel. If you get the "formula" right (charge, ball size, patch, lube, etc.) it will be much more accurate than many people would believe, but don't expect minute of angle. More like quarter hour of angle.

Rifled muzzle loaders, however, can be surprisingly accurate within moderate ranges.

Slowhand Bob · October 17, 2011, 11:52:05 AM

Talking smooth bore, what effect would it have to push a wax/grease wad down on top of an already seated ball. Would this offer any help or is it only when rifling is present that a bit of grease/lube helps prevent fouling? I know I do not use a lube in my bp shot gun loads.

Forty Rod · October 17, 2011, 12:30:16 PM

Can't see any benefit to it. Never saw it done.

Tascosa Joe · October 17, 2011, 01:51:15 PM

Colt:

As has been stated an undersized round ball, lenin or cotton patch wet with spit or tallow, SPG etc. and it should shoot as good as a short barreled smoothbore is going to shoot.

T-Joe

wildman1 · October 17, 2011, 01:55:30 PM

The lube comes from the patch, thats all the lube that ya need. Bore butter works about as well as anything ya can find. Don't use anything that is oil based. WM

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · October 17, 2011, 08:26:02 PM

This little piece, whether rifled or not is NOT a target or duelling arm. If it were mine, I'd get some FFFg powder, caps to fit the nipple, some .350 balls and some cotton or linen to make a tight fitting patch. You could cut the patch material into one inch squares, or just use a corner of the material and trim the excess after starting the ball. A rifle short starter would be enough ramrod. Easy to make from a bit of 2' X 2" for a knob, and some hardwood dowel. In Canada, a short length of hockey stick handle makes a great handle for the ramrod/starter.

For some plinking, I'd try 15 - 20 grains of FFFg. Pour it in while your saliva soaks the patch in your mouth. Use the top of the ramrod head to seat the ball over the patch flush with the muzzle, trim patch if necessary then ram it down. Cap & let 'er rip. Bore Butter is a great lube if the piece will remain charged for awhile.

If you are experienced, sorry about the detail, if you've never done it before, you might have a few questions but this will get you going.

PS; If you don't have a powder measure use an empty pistol case. .38 Spl case holds 22 gr., .40 S&W hold 18 gr. Berfore using, check weigh with a proper scale!

Colt Fanning · October 18, 2011, 06:32:50 PM

Thanks to all for the info. I'll try the patched balls.
Regards
Colt

Forty Rod · October 18, 2011, 07:38:26 PM

We're gonna want to see some pictures.

Colt Fanning · October 19, 2011, 07:55:21 AM

Howdy,
The pistol is a Hoppes Pepperbox. I posted a picture of it on this site under the American Plainsmen Society forum. The topic is 1840's pistols. I will post results of the shooting when I get the lead balls.

Regards
Colt

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · October 19, 2011, 09:58:49 AM

Quote from: Colt Fanning on October 19, 2011, 07:55:21 AM
Howdy,
The pistol is a Hoppes Pepperbox. I posted a picture of it on this site under the American Plainsmen Society forum. The topic is 1840's pistols. I will post results of the shooting when I get the lead balls.

Regards
Colt

I found the picture. Now I have a better idea of what we are dealing with. Very typical of the TAPS period. I'll stick with my suggestions, but add some.

- Take your pepperbox with you to a gunsmith/gunshop to acquire caps & balls to fit, if this is feasible.

- When you get it to the range, my instinct would be to load and fire each barrel separately before loading up the whole she-bang!

- Take care, there!