Blunderbuss Competition

[Darkgael]

Further info about the effect of the bell on patterns: from Blunderbusses by D.R. Baxter and from James D. Forman's The Blunderbuss: 1590-1900.
In essence....both authors early on and most definitely debunk the idea that the bell caused the pattern to spread wider/faster than it otherwise would as a function of its bore. Forman's comment may be summarized as "ballistically it had no effect whatever" (p.5)
and Baxter refers to the idea as a "popular misconception" and notes that :"the scattering effect basically depends upon the length of the barrel and the velocity of the shot as it leaves the barrel."(p.7)
Forman cites tests done by the NRA that showed the average spread was one yard at fifty feet.(That is 36" at 17 yards, very close to the two inches per yard that a cylinder bore is expected to throw.)
Baxter's book is available from Stackpole Books (SBN8117-0287-1) and Forman's from Museum Restoration Service (ISBN 0-919316-32-8).
The other misconception is that the BB was loaded with "an assortment of nails, broken glass and pebbles." Not.
My own patterning agrees with the above.
Pete

 

[Moose_Owner]

Today was supposed to be the first day of the blunderbuss competition down at the Ben Avery Range. However, it was far too windy for me to shoot. I am not sure if anyone shot on the primative range today.

I did shoot the blunderbuss over at the shotgun range yesterday. I broke 5 out of 20 on an 8 meter MLAIC Clay Target Course. The biggest problem with the blunderbuss is that you really have to cover the bird with the belled muzzle in order to avoid shooting low. 5 birds out of 20 was not great, but it was a kick to shoot the blunderbuss on the clay target course.