What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

I went out for a late breakfast, loafed around and then did it again. Then I surfed the web, but mostly surveyed this forum. Found a gun I might not be able to resist Go to bed polecat.

Diamonds, some days. I went on the scouting trip this morning, starting out very early. Couldn't resist taking the Hawken along (60gns FFG Wano, round ball, spit patch, in oh so close). It's shaping up to be a good season; the cover is exceptional. I rounded out the experience by practicing stalking with the camera. Walk with me ...

Kindest regards, Pete

@aussie pete Nice pictures. That’s a nice rifle and beautiful country.

deerstalkert said:

could not get my fowler to fire yesterday. tore it down today and drilled and tapped for a ox-yoke vent liner.
still hit or miss. brain started thinking(always bad) and i loaded 10g ffff and chased it with 80g ff
fired every time with that.
got to dig through my stash and try a fff load.
shot my .54 lyman flint just to verify that the powder wasn't damp. 10 shots with Maxie balls. i really like the Lyman.View attachment 188055

Click to expand...

Nice shooting. Have you ever put your ball through a chronograph? I'd be interested in what velocity you get with 90gr. powder. Semper Fi.

Went to range with my new .50 Hawken Woodsman by traditions, percussion. Using 60 gr of 2F, with .015 patch and .454 RB; .010 and 480 RB; .020 and .451 RB, it was fun figuring out which worked best. I had to clean bore after second shot and felt a tightness about 2/3 down the bore then less at the bottom. Cleaned bore and shot 3 times. Then tried to clean but the jag got stuck at that 2/3 mark and I needed help from the RSO to get it out. Eventually did and used several cleaning patches to get to the point where I could shoot. BTW: the range officer got interested and helped me try to site in at 50 yards. He offered suggestions to clean and aim and adjust. Some RSOs are great.
I will get my scotch pads out (red) and start to polish to bore to hopefully get rid of that tightness/burr. Overall the rifle was great.
Even my wife liked it, especially the small kick when fired.

Took my T/C Seneca .36 out to shoot some soda cans. 30 grains of Pyrodex P under a PRB with patches from an old silk pillow case.

bassncrap said:

Its a deer knocker downer makerer

Click to expand...

no, i believe what you are after is a "round lead spherical thingy making device."

Shot some ducks this morning with my single barrel 12 gauge shotgun (smooth bore). I think shooting a flintlock has improved my caplock shooting.
Got a Redhead too…

ColonialRifleSmith said:

Nice shooting. Have you ever put your ball through a chronograph? I'd be interested in what velocity you get with 90gr. powder. Semper Fi.

Click to expand...

i haven't chrono'ed it yet. tomorrow my young neighbor and i have a shoot scheduled. will have to dig out my chrono.
wonder if it will be reading the ball or the wads, patches etc.

I went to the Sons of Liberty trade show in Jackson, Ohio. I took a new-to-me .32 caliber custom Ohio style rifle which I had a few questions about the lock and drum. The fellow I went to meet (along with one of his friends) answered my questions and offered me some solid advice. A good day and now just waiting for some better weather to do some shooting with it.

Took the Kibler Colonial smoothbore out for a few shots. Using 90 grs Old Eynsford 1 1/2 Fg, about 40 gr equivalent volume of grits, a thin lubed fiber wad, 562 ball in .009 cotton patch. Shot well at both 25 and 50 yards. This load combination really works in my 58 smoothie! 3" groups at 50 yds. Took a long time to find the right load combination but it's so consistent.

Got on the forum today. I guess a little is better than nothing.

roundballman said:

about 40 gr equivalent volume of grits,

Click to expand...

This is new to me unless you're creating volume in a paper cartridge.
Or I think I may have read about some people using a filler to create more flash... Something to burn on exit...
Seems like a good waste of grits

What's it's purpose?
I can see it as a buffer for shot, but you said RB.

I didn't do much except put on a sight and talk muzzleloader with a friend. He wanted to see my pistol and I always enjoy looking at the guns he's built. I think he's talking himself into finally shooting the BR .32cal underhammer he built.

Oh, and I looked at pictures of the new ML I bought off another forum. Can't wait to get that in my hands. 50cal like my pistol.

roundballman said:

Took the Kibler Colonial smoothbore out for a few shots. Using 90 grs Old Eynsford 1 1/2 Fg, about 40 gr equivalent volume of grits, a thin lubed fiber wad, 562 ball in .009 cotton patch. Shot well at both 25 and 50 yards. This load combination really works in my 58 smoothie! 3" groups at 50 yds. Took a long time to find the right load combination but it's so consistent.

Click to expand...

Why the 40 gr of grits? I don't think I've seen 40. Thanks.

Who says division is bad.

Joined this forum today!!

aussie pete said:

Diamonds, some days. I went on the scouting trip this morning, starting out very early. Couldn't resist taking the Hawken along (60gns FFG Wano, round ball, spit patch, in oh so close). It's shaping up to be a good season; the cover is exceptional. I rounded out the experience by practicing stalking with the camera. Walk with me ...

Kindest regards, Pete

View attachment 191891View attachment 191892View attachment 191893View attachment 191894View attachment 191895View attachment 191896View attachment 191897

Click to expand...

Looks like a great day!!

Took delivery of a barrel, some maxi-balls in 58 cal, OP wonder wads and bought some more powder. (NOT AT CABELAS). I have enough to work up my loads now.
Also found some 425 grain CVA deerslayer bullets for my 54 cal. 140 bullets worth. I am anxious to try them in my 26" 1:38 barrel CVA. The 375gr shoot lights out but I need just a little more mass if I am going to shoot elk to 125 yards.

Now if it would just get above 35 degrees and the wind stop blowing....yeah, just an old candy-a**

Went squirrel hunting this afternoon

chorizo said:

Took delivery of a barrel, some maxi-balls in 58 cal, OP wonder wads and bought some more powder. (NOT AT CABELAS). I have enough to work up my loads now.
Also found some 425 grain CVA deerslayer bullets for my 54 cal. 140 bullets worth. I am anxious to try them in my 26" 1:38 barrel CVA. The 375gr shoot lights out but I need just a little more mass if I am going to shoot elk to 125 yards.

Now if it would just get above 35 degrees and the wind stop blowing....yeah, just an old candy-a**

Click to expand...

That bullet weight will be... um... exciting... to shoot with any useful powder charge in most guns. Find you a Past Recoil Shield...