RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 19, 2023 8:39:28 GMT -7
Black Hand said, "Cards/wads and/or wadding can be made at home or collected from the wild." True, true, and with good effect. I started experimenting with shredded bark off our eastern cedar tree as a substitute for tow and wound up taking all my usual game...squirrel, rabbit, dove, groundhog, turkey and whitetail deer...with it over a couple of seasons. UP SMOOTHBORES!! Spence Interesting... I've been looking for tow, because it's mentioned quite a bit in the historical record for my geographic area. But alas, I'm having difficulty finding a source. My prior local muzzleloader shop has been in long decline and isn't really stocked with much anymore. I can still get powder locally, but pretty much everything else will need to be mail ordered. Which isn't a whole lot... BALL.595" cast ball .600" cast ball .610" cast ball Patch material - I have lots of linen and cotton for patching Tow - need to source or take a walk in the meadow for dry grasses Tallow What is used over ball in a smoothbore? Never a consideration in my rifle days. SHOTWading - forgoing store bought and I'm researching period materials... tow (as above), blanket, etc. Card - Not sure what to consider here... Shot - need to research and see what Dad has left over from his reloading days GENERAL
Flints - English in a few sizes to try Powder - my brother absconded with my powder supply. I'll need to stock up. (Also need an appropriate horn, but that will come...) Worm - need an appropriate worm for on this gun's wiper I think I'm square on everything else. Not being able to procure things locally, while inconvenient, really causes one to think things through. Also keeps one from buying extraneous items. |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 19, 2023 8:45:39 GMT -7
brokennock said, "I apologize sir. I truly meant no disrespect. I completely missed your response and question." Nock, I'm sorry you didn't know that was absolutely not a problem, could not be. Missing posts is just a normal part of these forums, and you and I are far better friends than for me to think poorly of you for such a simple thing. BTW, we both come here to share our experiences, equally, there is no hierarchy. You and I need to put our heads together and come up with a plan to light a fire under this forum. We both would like for it to be far more active, I think, but I've run out of ideas for making that happen. Promptly getting engaged in threads to which we have something to contribute and starting threads to lure them in don't work. This is the only BP interaction I have, these days, and it's not usually very exciting. Sorry for going on so.  Spence Here, here! I'm not sure what the answer is for increasing participation, but I too would like to see some vigorous discussion. Maybe a few carefully considered invitations to a few new souls (I have a few thoughts)? Or a moderator posted "question/topic of the week/day?" That actually might be a good idea... get us thinking about and considering topics that aren't normally in our wheelhouse. Nock's recent post on French guns in New England really grabbed me, and that's not something I would have otherwise considered looking into. |
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Post by spence on Mar 19, 2023 14:01:09 GMT -7
RyanAK, another bit of description/advice from the day about civilian loads, 1767, Thomas Page, _The Art of Shooting Flying_... a conversation between student and teacher...
FRIENDLY
And what sort of wadding do you best approve of? I have heard some say that tow is best, others, cards stamped to fit the size of the bore.
AIMWELL
Tow, I think, is uncertain. If cards be used, the end of your rammer must be almost as broad as your barrel will admit of, to go down free, and quite flat at the end, to prevent the card from turning; and must be push'd down gradually, to give time for the air to pass, otherwise it will be troublesome. This is therefore not the quickest way. Old hat may be used in the same manner, which is rather better: and some say leather shreds are best. But I cannot yet find any thing better, or so ready as thin brown paper rubbed soft, and cut into pieces about one inch broad and two inches long; so that when it is once doubled, it is an inch square. I punch a small hole at the corner of each piece, put a sufficient quantity upon a key-ring, hang them into my button hole, and tear off one as I want it. This being doubled, put it into to the muzzle, and close the corners up about the rammer (the end of which ought to continue of the same bigness for at least half an inch, or rather somewhat smaller just at the end) and thrust the paper thus put into the barrel gently down upon the powder. Your rammer will come back without danger of drawing the paper back, and will leave it closed against the sides of the barrel like a half cartridge. Put in another in the same manner after the shot. When your gun is quite clean, it is necessary to put in a second wad after the shot, to prevent its getting loose.
Spence
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 19, 2023 14:45:07 GMT -7
You can make a simple worm from wire, this one is made from coat hanger: [URLs=https://ibb.co/7XvFm83] ![]() i.ibb.co/G07jSBZ/20230319-154032.jpg ![]() [/url] It twists over the end of the rod and friction keeps it in place. Some people use tow over the ball, others a card and others nothing, as the ball was patched. Blanketing could be used over and under a ball. Rather than ordering ball, make your own. I have a Callahan mold in 0.600 for my trade gun and cast all my own. To buy ball, I would have easily surpassed the cost of a mold in short order. Now I can cast as many as I need. www.bagmolds.com/UNZIPPED/htdocs/1.shtml |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 20, 2023 12:42:14 GMT -7
RyanAK, another bit of description/advice from the day about civilian loads, 1767, Thomas Page, _The Art of Shooting Flying_... a conversation between student and teacher... FRIENDLY And what sort of wadding do you best approve of? I have heard some say that tow is best, others, cards stamped to fit the size of the bore. AIMWELL Tow, I think, is uncertain. If cards be used, the end of your rammer must be almost as broad as your barrel will admit of, to go down free, and quite flat at the end, to prevent the card from turning; and must be push'd down gradually, to give time for the air to pass, otherwise it will be troublesome. This is therefore not the quickest way. Old hat may be used in the same manner, which is rather better: and some say leather shreds are best. But I cannot yet find any thing better, or so ready as thin brown paper rubbed soft, and cut into pieces about one inch broad and two inches long; so that when it is once doubled, it is an inch square. I punch a small hole at the corner of each piece, put a sufficient quantity upon a key-ring, hang them into my button hole, and tear off one as I want it. This being doubled, put it into to the muzzle, and close the corners up about the rammer (the end of which ought to continue of the same bigness for at least half an inch, or rather somewhat smaller just at the end) and thrust the paper thus put into the barrel gently down upon the powder. Your rammer will come back without danger of drawing the paper back, and will leave it closed against the sides of the barrel like a half cartridge. Put in another in the same manner after the shot. When your gun is quite clean, it is necessary to put in a second wad after the shot, to prevent its getting loose. Spence That's great, Spence! And I love these classically-styled 'dialog'-type publications. 'thin brown paper rubbed soft...' Easy enough to give a try. I even like the method of carrying them. I located a slightly later publication called A Treatise on English Shooting printed in 1772. I've ordered an inexpensive reprint and will certainly report on anything worth mentioning. |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 20, 2023 12:48:15 GMT -7
You can make a simple worm from wire, this one is made from coat hanger: It twists over the end of the rod and friction keeps it in place. Some people use tow over the ball, others a card and others nothing, as the ball was patched. Blanketing could be used over and under a ball. Rather than ordering ball, make your own. I have a Callahan mold in 0.600 for my trade gun and cast all my own. To buy ball, I would have easily surpassed the cost of a mold in short order. Now I can cast as many as I need. www.bagmolds.com/UNZIPPED/htdocs/1.shtmlPrecisely my plan for a worm. I have various sizes of wire for making springs for other projects. Simple enough. And I'm enjoying the idea of using simple, period, found items for the feeding of this firelock. I will buy a mold. Want to fool around with bought cast balls to see what size works best and then I'll cast my own. I had forgotten about Callahan's molds. Thanks for the reminder and good info. |
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 20, 2023 13:03:06 GMT -7
To be honest, I don't think smoothbores are nearly as picky as rifles for ball size. The only time size might be an issue is IF you make cartridges.
I bought a 0.600 and it works for my rifle and smoothbore.
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Post by spence on Mar 20, 2023 13:19:33 GMT -7
I would tend to agree with Page that tow is "uncertain". It always seemed to me that gas was blowing through the overpower tow and reducing pressure, but not in a consistent way. Many of my shot flew low, but not the same every time. I thought maybe a barrier over the powder might help. I had been fooling with that thin brown paper, so I decided to give that a try. I was pleased with the result. I use it under all my tow wads, now.  |
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Post by bushfire on Mar 20, 2023 15:50:33 GMT -7
You and I need to put our heads together and come up with a plan to light a fire under this forum. We both would like for it to be far more active, I think, but I've run out of ideas for making that happen. Promptly getting engaged in threads to which we have something to contribute and starting threads to lure them in don't work. This is the only BP interaction I have, these days, and it's not usually very exciting. It's a double edged sword unfortunately, the more people you have the more riff raff. It is a shame this forum isn't more active but I prefer it over all other forums. I generally keep a few open in my browser but just this morning I decided to step away from forums and instagram for a while and removed them from my phone, all that is except for this forum. My problem is that I don't have anything really to offer in the way of knowledge, just questions. I can hunt ok enough, but so can everyone else here. |
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Post by bushfire on Mar 20, 2023 15:55:07 GMT -7
I still haven't got a load that my fusil really loves for ball. I've been avoiding using PRB because I'm trying to stay as correct as possible, but I may need to give it a go.
Alternatively, I've been thinking of trying the Mike Beliveau method of a high charge with a bare ball. Haven't gone about 90gn 2F, but 110gn isn't too much a step up from that I suppose. I have been using thin over powder cards on top of my bare ball, seems to seat it ok but perhaps not the best medium. Definitely avoiding tow, Australia is a tinderbox outside of winter!
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 22, 2023 9:18:59 GMT -7
To be honest, I don't think smoothbores are nearly as picky as rifles for ball size. The only time size might be an issue is IF you make cartridges. I bought a 0.600 and it works for my rifle and smoothbore. Well that's refreshing. The rifles were a little finicky when working up loads. When I'm satisfied with a size, I'll absolutely order a mold. .60 rifle?? |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 22, 2023 9:23:03 GMT -7
I would tend to agree with Page that tow is "uncertain". It always seemed to me that gas was blowing through the overpower tow and reducing pressure, but not in a consistent way. Many of my shot flew low, but not the same every time. I thought maybe a barrier over the powder might help. I had been fooling with that thin brown paper, so I decided to give that a try. I was pleased with the result. I use it under all my tow wads, now. Sheesh! Good shooting, Spence! "Brown paper"... like newsprint? I'm still looking around for tow. For my area in the 18th century, it was literally everywhere. A goodly portion of homes had a flax plot for household use and the tow was used for many things. |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 22, 2023 9:26:10 GMT -7
You and I need to put our heads together and come up with a plan to light a fire under this forum. We both would like for it to be far more active, I think, but I've run out of ideas for making that happen. Promptly getting engaged in threads to which we have something to contribute and starting threads to lure them in don't work. This is the only BP interaction I have, these days, and it's not usually very exciting. It's a double edged sword unfortunately, the more people you have the more riff raff. It is a shame this forum isn't more active but I prefer it over all other forums. I generally keep a few open in my browser but just this morning I decided to step away from forums and instagram for a while and removed them from my phone, all that is except for this forum. My problem is that I don't have anything really to offer in the way of knowledge, just questions. I can hunt ok enough, but so can everyone else here. Brother, ask questions!! I for one learn when someone asks a good question. I think a lot of us will go down a research rabbit hole to find answers. Riff Raff seems very few and far between here because things are moderated on the membership 'request'. Somehow... I snuck in.  |
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Post by spence on Mar 22, 2023 12:18:03 GMT -7
RyanAK said, ""Brown paper"... like newsprint? " I use brown paper from grocery store sacks. I crumple and smooth it several times so it will conform to the bore better before cutting the strips. I carry them in a clip on my pouch strap  Spence |
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Post by bushfire on Mar 22, 2023 13:31:18 GMT -7
RyanAK said, ""Brown paper"... like newsprint? " I use brown paper from grocery store sacks. I crumple and smooth it several times so it will conform to the bore better before cutting the strips. I carry them in a clip on my pouch strap Spence What do you do with them in the wet? |
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