Concern about the effect of the sprue on accuracy goes back quite far.
Doddridge, Joseph; "Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1783, Inclusive...."
Dodderidge quoting Capt. Teter preparing against an attack on his father's fort, 1782-83:
"...when you run your bullets, cut off the necks very close, and scrape them, so as to make them a little less, and get patches one hundred finer than those you commonly use, and have them well oiled, for if a rifle happens to be choked in the time of battle, there is one gun and one man lost for the rest of the battle. You will have no time to unbritch a gun and get a plug to drive out a bullet. Have the locks well oiled and your flints sharp, so as not to miss fire." p. 281-82.
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Doddridge, Joseph; "Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1783, Inclusive...."
Dodderidge quoting Capt. Teter preparing against an attack on his father's fort, 1782-83:
"...when you run your bullets, cut off the necks very close, and scrape them, so as to make them a little less, and get patches one hundred finer than those you commonly use, and have them well oiled, for if a rifle happens to be choked in the time of battle, there is one gun and one man lost for the rest of the battle. You will have no time to unbritch a gun and get a plug to drive out a bullet. Have the locks well oiled and your flints sharp, so as not to miss fire." p. 281-82.
Spence
