Old time muzzle loader

[Shooter1]

New to this forum and haven't made smoke since Mar,2017. Been severely limited by fight with stage 4 cancer/chemo.. Now recovered enough to hope to get active again. Have new 20 ga left hand flint trade gun and underhammer 45 I got at my last competition that need breaking in..Been member of NMLRA since 1971 and am a national range officer and instructor. Still learning like all BP shooters.
Shooter1 in northern AZ

 

[Eutycus]

A great big Howdy and a Welcome from Texas. I certainly hope you got that cancer licked!

 

[8 BORE]

What info are you needing

 

[Shooter1]

Don't really know yet, but 20 ga smooth bore is new to me and want to shoot round balls. Size ball/patch over about 60-80 gr. ff with ffff in flash pan?

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Welcome

 

[smo]

Welcome Shooter, Lots of really good smooth bore shooters around, unfortunately I’m not one of them!

I’ve only had limited experience with them over the past 5 years or so.

Too me there is as much of a transition going from a rifle to a smoothbore as it was going from cap gun to flint!

I’ve tried shooting mine using the tang screw as a rear sight with very limited success .

You will just have too figure out what your particular gun likes, it’s not any different than with a m/l rifle.

If you have a club near you that’s where I would start.

I’ve just joined a local group (100 mile drive - 1 way) that’s is loaded with excellent smooth bore shooters.

I can’t wait too pick their brains(watch & learn), most probably have forgotten more than I’ll ever know...

Good Luck too ya’ keep us posted.

 

[S.Kenton]

Welcome Sir! Glad ya found us!

 

[ny griz]

Howdy and welcome,good ta have ya here.Keep up the fight and good luck to ya.NY GRIZ

 

[Juice Jaws]

First welcome and hope 2019 will be a very good year for you. That's a hard battle but god willing things will work out for you. Don't shoot a 20ga. (shoot 16ga.) but some one will tell you the ball size. I use a .10 patch with spit or mink lube behind 60grs of 3F. Cold weather mink lube. Left - Handed trade gun, we are brothers, left hand people rule. As soon as you can go make smoke, it will make you feel good.

 

[shane a gress]

Don't really know yet, but 20 ga smooth bore is new to me and want to shoot round balls. Size ball/patch over about 60-80 gr. ff with ffff in flash pan?

My only flint lock i have and use is a 20 smoothbore. I load a .600 ball, drill cloth patch in front of 70 grains of 2ff. This load will shoots really good for me. I have taken a lot of deer for over 20 years. I sight straight down the barrel and hold her steady. It's a blast with #5 shot going after grey squirrels.

 

[Grumpa]

Welcome to the Forum. Hopefully, it will do your spirit as much good as you're being here does ours.
I have never shot a smoothbore ML. But, I read so much about them here that it is only a matter of time....

Richard/Grumpa