I love the sound of that combo. Those words are burned into my brain from over 50 years of muzzleloading. I have this India made 1717 French Infantry Musket .69 cal. I bought a few years ago. I got a good deal because it was unvented, the barrel mic'd out less than .69 cal. and the stock needed repair. I've fired it a few times at short range but have never tried long range shooting. So yesterday, I thought I'd do some serious 'sighting in' to see if I could use this for hunting. I pinned my target at 100 yards and tried my 1st load. 80gr FFG, .010 oiled patch and .662 round ball. I knew right off .010 patch was too thin. Well, I primed the pan, lined her up and touched her off. The recoil was less than anticipated and the report sounded off. I didn't get the anticipated 'CRACK' I should hear from the musket. Instead, I heard a 'DULL THUD' which sounded more like a stick hitting a pumpkin. Once the smoke cleared, I looked at the target down range. I didn't see a hit. I figured the ball missed the target completely. From my shooting bench, I couldn't see a ball hole. I walked up to the target to find any hit anywhere. As I got closer, I could see the ball hit the tree above the target. Close to center line, but high. Windage wasn't going to be much of an issue, however elevation is another problem. I went back to the bench and stuffed the musket with another P-P-B. With this load I used a .015 oiled patch. The ball went home much tighter than with the .010 patch. The .015 patch felt nice going down. I got onto my shooting position, primed the pan lined her up and touched her off. The recoil was much heavier, and the report was the welcomed "CRACK' I love to hear. I looked down range to see a big round hole in the target. Not exactly where I aimed, but close. The ball hit about 6 inches right and about 12 inches low. I shot 4 more shots in the next 20 minutes, allowing for barrel cool down time between shots. After my last shot I went to collect the expended patches. You can always tell when your gun likes the P-P-B combo by the condition of the fired patches. When I walked out in front of my shooting bench, they were all within 2 feet of each other about 15 feet from the bench. I was losing the light, so I gathered my musket and gear then called it a day. Semper Fi.
The condition of your fired patch says much about your load. This is why I like oiled patches; they don't simmer in the dry leaves.
Shots are not in order fired except #1. Not bad for a $250.00
Made in India Musket. What a difference .005 makes.
1717 French Infantry Musket, Made in India.
The condition of your fired patch says much about your load. This is why I like oiled patches; they don't simmer in the dry leaves.
Shots are not in order fired except #1. Not bad for a $250.00
Made in India Musket. What a difference .005 makes.
1717 French Infantry Musket, Made in India.