t/c 56 cal smooth bore and minie balls.

[nwtradegun]

Has anyone tried them? I have a source for a box . would like info first. thank you

 

[rdstrain49]

I'll be very interested, just got one last night. Never seen one before.

 

[bubba.50]

with no riflin' to spin it to keep it flyin' pointy-end first I can't see how you'd get any accuracy from'em.

 

[rdstrain49]

As I remember, the early shotgun "slugs" were just a smooth lead shuttle cock design, and no I don't remember them being very accurate. I suspect that a mini would be even worse, but still interested if anyone has experience with them.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Actually they, and hollow based mini's work well for "cutting the card" shots since these shots are usually close enough that the tumbling doesn't effect accuracy. But beyond twenty yards you will have no accuracy! :idunno: :idunno:

 

[TC Tommy]

Accuracy is not the right word to be used with these. Some people patch the ball, some use the different shot cards above and below the ball. I tried patches, .010 ticking and TOW .550 balls. Lucky to hit 9" pan consistently at 40 yds. On the other hand if your hunting in a dense area, swamp, your lucky to have a shot past that and that .550 is right between a .54 and a .58. Oh yeah, they're kinda short and swing nice, like a short 28 ga.

 

[hawkeye2]

You won't have any luck with a mini out of a smoothbore. They'll tumble, keyhole and won't group. There is no shuttlecock effect or stabilization from the effect of the slipstream, they need to spin to stabilize. If the minies are free go for it, you'll need a stiff lube like beeswax and tallow and a real close fit to the bore, under .002" and half that is even better. You can have a fun afternoon finding out that they aren't worth the effort.

 

[Grimord]

My experience with the T/C .56 is different from yours. With a .550 ball, .015 mink oil lubed patch and 80 grains of 2f, I get four inch groups at 60 yards, which is as far as I usually see deer here in the dense laurel of southern CT.

 

[TC Tommy]

I'll have to try .015, maybe a tighter fit will help. Thought the way .010 patch went in that anything thicker would cut the patch. Sorry RJ, I just got off track, your talking mini ball and I'm talking round ball. :redface:

 

[Britsmoothy]

Do make sure your barrel is not touching the lock!
That ruins alot of potential!

B.

 

[nwtradegun]

thanks for the comments I ll just stay with patched rd ball. to xpensive to monkey around