1766 Charleville Smooth Bore Musket Accuracy Test

A while ago justin ji asked if we could do and accuracy test with historically accurate paper cartridges for the 1766 charleville this is that test.
Music by Mark O'Connor
• Mark O'Connor Fiddle S...
Musket from militaryheritage.com

[@justinji8634]

Thank you 11bangbang for doing this. It is rather surprising to see the result, I mean I have NEVER seen a smootherbore with an undersized ball performs at that distance. After I tried my gun, I noticed little black powder stains on the barrel. Anyways to remove the stains?

[@Real11BangBang]

You're welcome It was definitely a fun test. As for stains and surface rust on muskets. British muzzleloaders told me that back in the day they used brick dust to Polish them however I have been known to use a very very fine wet sandpaper and some 0000 steel wool to polish mine up.

[@alanrobson8095]

@@Real11BangBang Try vinegar and baking soda.

[@simonkellen8178]

I realize I'm pretty off topic but does anybody know a good place to watch newly released tv shows online?

[@williamgregory6684]

That is some very impressive shooting, especially with a 30 mph crosswind.The target was having a very very bad day.Glad your not shooting at me.Great video!

[@williamgregory6684]

Try Never Dull

[@1notgilty]

Head shots at 150 yards with a 1776 smooth bore musket. WOW! That is impressive. So much for those firearms not being effective at distance. Thanks for sharing.

[@Real11BangBang]

thankyou for watching

[@stevensheldon9271]

I do not know about the French loading drill, but Von Steuben's Drill states: "Charge with Cartridge ! Two motions. 1) Turn up your hand and put the cartridge into the muzzle, ſhaking the powder into the barrel. 2) Turning the ſtock a little towards you, place your right hand cloſed, with a quick and ſtrong motion , upon the butt of the rammer, the thumb upwards, and the elbow down." Likewise, in "The Manual Exercise, as Ordered by His Majesty in 1764", it is stated: "Charge with Cartridge! 2 Motions. Explanation --- 1. Turn your Hand and put the Cartridge into the Muzzle, fhaking the Powder into the Barrel. 2. Place your Hand, clofed, with a quick and ftrong Motion, upon the Rammer." You will note in both of these drill instructions you are instructed to turn your hand (which will point the tail of the cartridge down the muzzle) and "put the cartridge into the muzzle". This is to be done in one motion. This indicates to me that the cartridge was both emptied of powder and inserted while in the same orientation - indeed emptying the powder and inserting the cartridge were part of the same step - the powder is falling out of the cartridge while it is being inserted into the muzzle. Naturally, this means the cartridge goes down the bore paper-end first, ball-end last. Also, as others have pointed out, use care when referencing period load data. J.M. Spearman notes in "The British Gunner" that between 1775 and 1828 British powder had doubled in strength. This is why early service loads for the Brown Bess are stated to range from 6 to 7.9 drams (165-218 grains) of powder, but by 1838 this was reduced to 4.5 drams (123 grains). Load data prior to about 1840 should be considered suspect for today's modern black powder.

[@BeKindToBirds]

Treatises are just a single source remember, don't take too much stock in a single one. Dropping the paper tail first was very common no doubt, but the best shooters and most accuracy was gained by placing the wadding after the ball according to other period sources and modern experiments too.

[@stevensheldon9271]

@@BeKindToBirds In the above I actually cited two different references, both military drill instruction manuals. Likewise, you will find this same instruction later in the 1800's in US manuals for the smoothbore musket. I'm fairly convinced that as far as military instruction for loading of smoothbore muskets goes, the instructions seem pretty clear that the cartridge was loaded paper-end first.

[@BeKindToBirds]

@@stevensheldon9271 I already acknowledged that. My point is that just because it was common, printed in a book, or practiced, does not mean that it is the absolute ONLY thing that ever happened. I don't have the source books to hand myself but there are also sources showing that paper after was the superior way to shoot and that the technique was taught in flank companies. You are making a very bad mistake with the study of history to assume that the past was homogenized to conform absolutely strictly to the sources you have available. I was in the military myself and I can say with absolute certainty that what is common in practice at the unit is not the same as what is written in the SOP. And that is in the age of instant communications across the globe and perfect modern standardization. I am very surprised to see anyone who studies history or reads treatises or manuals from previous centuries who thinks that it's a gods eye view and it never ever varied at all. There are many, many references to ball first shooting for greater accuracy. Even with field guns, siege weapons, and naval artillery too. It was absolutely well known and common. ...just not for the common low soldier who mainly just needed to shoot and not run away. Imagine if I'm 200 years someone says snipers didn't have rangefinders and spotters because it isn't in the standard infantry drill manual of 1978 or the standard infantry firing course taught in 2004. I'd be silly yeah? I'll try to find a source for you, maybe it was mentioned in "fusiliers" by urban if I'm remembering correctly, I read that recently. There was a civil war series I was reading recently as well but I believe that was primarily about the defense of ft sumpter and I know the book about the 23 welch talked about the light companies a lot as well. I've been reading on napoleon lately but I was reading on the seven years war before so you can probably see why it's hard for me to remember the exact passages and lines some all of those books feature heavily the light companies, musketry, and warfighting Most soldiers also never saw those manuals you know. An officer would be able to afford them and would teach them to his men. Wadding after works, people in the past were smart. Experimental archeology videos like this one show the evolution constantly. People really did this in war. Again, I'll try to remember you and point out some sources when next I'm at the library myself but you've got to remember just how much an officer, battlefield experience, and reality differed from treatise or manual in anything of the 19th century and before. ..they barely are how things are done now when you can update and disseminate to your entire army instantly.

[@stevensheldon9271]

@@BeKindToBirds No one has made any claim that there was only one way to do it. There is an X-ray of a British Brown Bess recovered from a 1782 shipwreck of retreating British troops that is still loaded with buck and ball, and as the buckshot is closest to the breech, clearly it was loaded bullet-end first. The videographer made the claim that he was going to show "the historically accurate way" to load the Charleville 1777 military musket. I am only speaking to the period documentation describing military drill for smoothbore military muskets. I'm always interested in new citations so if you have any that would be welcome.

[@BeKindToBirds]

@@stevensheldon9271 You are right, he should have presented it differently, I didn't catch that aspect before, my mistake. When I find a reference I'll come back and find this comment.

[@joshuacovell642]

Quality is getting a lot better man keep it up, love the clothes

[@Real11BangBang]

Thank you

[@CinntSaile]

Interesting video. When British government troops' bodies were exhumed fairly recently at the site of the Battle of Culloden, noticeable numbers of skulls were found with bullet holes in their foreheads. There were French regular regiments fighting for the Jacobites at Culloden and they fought a tremendous rearguard action against the British. These French regulars own skill and the Charleville's accuracy are recorded in these finds.

[@Zwerchhau]

Nice video, I'm fairly sure that the reason it was pulling that far to the left was the wind speed. Muskets having pretty large, fat rounds moving slow at a pretty low muzzle velocity makes them fairly susceptible to wind effects. The wind direction appears to be going to the left based on the grass movement so I think your rounds were literally being blown that way.

[@you_dont_know_me6583]

I think you severally underestimate black powder. Firstly it's only 25 yards. My bow won't shoot more than an inch off at 25 yards from wind. Secondly in my 50 cal Hawkins you can push a round ball 1700 fps. That's 1700 feet in a second 25 yards is 75 feet. So if my math is correct that is something like 0.044 of a second to travel 25 yards. There is absolutely no way wind could cause it to be off by any measurable amount at 25 yards. But he isn't using a 50 so I'll be fair. He is using a 69 cal and a reasonable load will get about 1500 so again more math here that's 0.05 thousandths of a second to travel 25 yards. Now I will agree that a 69 cal round ball has the ballistic confidence of a school bus but still I don't think you would be able to see any measurable difference. And I wouldn't call 1500 fps slow you can also think of it as it is 400 fps faster than the speed of sound meaning the bullet is outrunning the bang. I wright all this not to rag on you but because of my love for muzzle loading and the stigmas and myths for lack of a better term surrounding these "ancient relics."

[@Zwerchhau]

@@you_dont_know_me6583 Hmm yeah your math checks out, maybe there was some other issue.

[@you_dont_know_me6583]

@@Zwerchhau weirdly enough I have changed wads and had my group move. Something as little as a different lube can change it. Now I also want to say he is using wayyyyyyy too much powder for the purpose of being acute. The group being off could just be his sights. My theory is he is flinching because pulling to the left is common if you flinch even a tiny amount.

[@georgegooding8207]

I saw one of these rifles in action yesterday, and it looked pretty dang good to me. The gentleman shooting it hit everything he aimed at.

[@Real11BangBang]

They are very very nice guns indeed Thanks for watching

[@AapVanDieKaap]

It's not a rifle. It's a musket. Rifles have twisted grooves in the barrel called "rifling" which spins the bullet.

[@gwheeler233]

Wow, that was amazing and unexpected. 150m! Yikes!

[@projectilequestion]

Yes, muskets are generally a bit more accurate than expected.

[@tedarcher9120]

@@projectilequestion problem with accuracy was mostly with soldiers just pointing their guns in a general direction

[@projectilequestion]

@@tedarcher9120 Back in the day, panicky soldiers of just blazed away at the enemy without taking careful aim.

[@tedarcher9120]

@@projectilequestion yeah, that's why rifled muskets took 350 years to become standart

[@lawrencestanley8989]

150 GRAINS!?!?!? Well, moderation in the face of evil is no virtue, and extremism in defense of liberty is no vice...

[@Real11BangBang]

That's a baby charge. You should see what we shoot out of guns like the brown bess or the matchlock lol

[@lawrencestanley8989]

@@Real11BangBang And you've pressure tested these loads?

[@ravener96]

Lol, pressure test. Pressure testing is done at best by proof load, and proof load is selected by former knowledge. "This gun should be able to withstand a load this strong" and after that you shoot to your hearts content.

[@HDSME]

How much tell me !​@@Real11BangBang

[@haroldchase4120]

Nice looking Fire lock musket . Got news for everybody you don’t want any of that smoke up to 100 yards . A rifle man found that out at the battle of Washington during the war if 1812

[@francisstraughniii2473]

Wow congrats on the 150 shot didn't think it was possible with a smooth bore.

[@Real11BangBang]

thankyou very much

[@francisstraughniii2473]

Just acquired a 1826 74 caliber rifle from a good friend that is a restorer from Virginia hope it shoots that well.

[@cashenjoe1]

Who'd have thought! Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!

[@Real11BangBang]

Thanks for watching!

[@EarlyAmerican]

wow this is incredibly cool

[@Real11BangBang]

thankyou

[@BeKindToBirds]

I've read many sources that agree with this method as well. Really glad to see it being returned to use.

[@joemolf3894]

Ethan with the direction of the paper cartridges do purposely position the spru correctly. You may be right i don’t have a kit laying around to see if they tell you which way the sprue should face. Regardless the sprue is a pia I ended up tumbling the balls it knocks down the sprue. They do look a little out of round but work fine and from what I read the ball distorts during loading anyway. Great video you look great in your outfit wish I could own one! I think I use a slightly smaller ball i buy the kits from paper cartridges. The chrville are wrapped in newspaper print with the print of the Federalist. So much fun. Also the contintals wrapped there cartridge’s a little different from the British but both work flawlessly. Love my Charville to!

[@Pegasuz1233]

Love this video!. Btw i think the stigma that smoothbore muskets were so inaccurate was mostly caused by lack of training of the soldiers. People that trained with firearms could be combat ready as quick as few weeks, but obviously that doesn't mean they have the same effectiveness as someone who shoot for a living. Even light infantry, soldiers who properly trained in marksmanship most of them were equipped with improved version of smoothbore muskets during napoleonic wars while only around third of them equipped with rifles. Even then, during American Civil War despite the rifled muskets that were commonly used theoritically could hit a target at 600 yards, most of the battle happen only at 150 yards and closer because training the soldiers to use the weapon up to its potential is expensive, only few soldiers could use the rifled muskets effectively and the usage of muskets with buck&ball during the war gained some popularity (i learned this from Paper Cartridges)

[@Blackpowderdad]

Just discovered your channel while doing some research on affordable muskets. I’m an old 11bravo as well. I’m subscribed and looking forward to more great content like this.

[@ShaunPaget]

years ago I watched a you tube video of some guy shooting a Brown Bess at a half sheet of plywood cut like a barn silhouette. The video pounded the point the Brown Bess couldn't hit the side of a barn standing in it. Thanks for the correction after years of being ill informed. I looked for the video without success. I assume it has been pulled.

[@GR-cf4qh]

I've got an Indian reproduction Brown Bess and when I shot groups with it I remember them being about 18" at 50 yards. So it would have fairly reliably hit a man sized target at that range, but had horrible accuracy by modern standards. You've got to keep in mind though that it was a weapon intended primarily for volley fire and bayonet charges.

[@richardhughes7008]

Most impressive! Belies all I've read about smoothbore accuracy. Loading the ball first, with the paper forming an overwad, seems to be the way. Thank you.

[@Real11BangBang]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nikitas1978]

damn 150 meters is an extraordinary range for smoothbore musket!

[@tedarcher9120]

Not really, most firefights happened at 100-200m range. Problem was aiming, not accuracy

[@arsyesis]

Video très intéressante d'une magnifique arme française. Cocorico ! La stratégie d'emploi de cette arme à l'époque ne necessitait pas une grande précision, mais il est bon de savoir et de montrer ce qu'elle peut faire.

[@johnhudak3829]

Really glad I found your channel, y'all do some GREAT videos!

[@Real11BangBang]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Well done! I prefer the '66 Charleville over the '95 Springfield for historical purposes, but I'd hate to be down range of either one of them (or a Brown Bess)!

[@Rollinthndr798]

The biggest complaint I’ve seen out of military heritage is quality. Of course with the lesser expenditure vs paying Davide Pedersoli prices it is more viable and has room to be corrected at the workbench!

[@Real11BangBang]

2 headshots at 150 m... must have a little bit of quality to it

[@rebeccaback3287]

I like your presentation! Verry educational! Verry good shooting. I would like to own the Sayreville Musket .Have been watching your videos for almost a year. David Back from Menifee county Kentucky

[@Real11BangBang]

Hi thanks for watching i promise we will return to more flintlocks this fall when ethan gets back from deployment

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Well done, Ethan! Good shooting. I'm guessing you were a sharpshooter in the military.

[@Real11BangBang]

Thank you and yes I shot expert.

[@ВячеславЛогинов-т6ь]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting video! It's a pleasure to listen to you! Now scenes from the movie "The Patriot" don't seem so fantastic)

[@brighter22]

That is impressive accuracy, more than I thought possible. About paper or ball first, paper first creates a gap between the powder and ball creating essentially a pipe bomb. Make sure the ball is touching the powder via the ram rod.

[@carlericvonkleistiii2188]

This is demonstrably false. It is a myth.

[@covertops19Z]

It appears to be a M1777 Charleville.. the rear barrel band is retained by a spring clip. The M1766 rear barrel band was friction fit to the stock and barrel.

[@gpecaut1]

Actually pinned, at least on mine. Mine is an original from the Revolutionary war.

[@covertops19Z]

@@gpecaut1 OH wow!! Good for you!!!... I just received my Pedersoli M1795 Springfield and can't wait to shoot it. I also order a M1842 Springfield/Harper's. 69 caliber musket.. nice additions to my Pennsylvania and Kentucky rifles.

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

Just stumbled on ur channel, watched and subbed. My mom's family is from Floyd County Kentucky and they started me shooting Kentucky long rifles when I was up there on a visit from Texas. Love the content

[@Real11BangBang]

thanks for watching glad to have you.

[@waynerobinson2656]

Incredible… thanks for proving what they can do.

[@OutnBacker]

Most beautiful military musket of all time, IMO. Next would be the 1848 "Mississippi" Rifle Musket.

[@alexsacco776]

Love the mark O’Connor Bonaparte’s retreat! Great music choice!

[@Real11BangBang]

It's kinda the unofficial theme for the charleville now.

[@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods]

New camera is sharpe!!!

[@Real11BangBang]

Spells sharpe with an E..... over the hills and far away intensifies

[@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods]

@@Real11BangBang lol thought you might catch that little pun.

[@weels1886]

Darn good video and test regardless of the wind!

[@Real11BangBang]

Thanks! 👍

[@plowboysghost]

Outstanding!

[@markcole5108]

Very nice shooting. I have a Pedersoli 1777 and have had similar results firing from a standing position at 50 and 100 yards. I definitely had less accuracy the more fouled the barrel became so I was curious if you cleaned the barrel between each of your groups of three. By the time I had fired 7 rounds at 100 yards at a 3’ square target, my 8th, 9th, and 10th rounds were more than 6” from center. While fatigue likely had some effect, it seemed like the ball wasn’t seating the same. I cleaned the barrel, fired two rounds that hit closer to center but then decided my shoulder had been kicked enough and the barrel was very hot to handle.

[@Real11BangBang]

This video was a while ago and I can't remember but I do not believe we cleaned out the bore in between groups

[@fredscholpp5838]

Nice Video, and good shooting.

[@Real11BangBang]

Thank you

[@timothymichaelschroeder4030]

You can still fid posters from the revolutionary War that asked you to be able to hit a 12" target at 300 meters

[@buckplug2423]

And it should also be noted how you wouldn't be firing at individual targets - at worst, you're trying to hit a 2-man pair, maybe behind some cover, and in most situations you're firing at a 2-man or 3-man deep line. They were absolutely devastating, with a typical volley fired at 200 metres (typical engagement distance) causing around 11% casualties - 1 in 10 men gone in a fraction of a second, with more to go just 20-30 seconds later.

[@johnnottahcal5725]

You know, I’m just flabbergasted, the more I read and learn more about this musket and the history of it’s use. I just make ‘dirty’ at the shoot’in gallery but geezz. Can you imagine standing in ranks and waiting to be hit by a big ol’ chunk o lead. Crazy. Wonder how far or close volley fire happened.

[@Real11BangBang]

yeah it would definitely ruin your day

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

150 grains is quite a charge. Just found your channel *LIKED* and *SUBSCRIBED* --LT

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

feel free to follow along with our group's fun at the range and on the field pard

[@gpecaut1]

I usually use 95-100 in mine. The old black powder formula for a .690 comes out to 115 grains of 1.5f.

[@Joseywales414]

Same here.👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Rag paper, linen paper, or cotton paper. the material that would be used. Often old sails and rope from sailboats would be sold to papermakers, to be turned into rag. Never ones to waste, even within a household what cloth that was no longer useful for other tasks would be saved for paper. Rag paper is incredibly strong, hard to tear when dry--and though it can be torn when wet, you can mend it, and it will be as strong as ever when it dries again. A paper cartridge fashioned from rag paper performs different than modern paper. The third shot is the most accurate, hunters would foul with the first two shots as a matter of preparation for a well placed shot. swabbing with rum and tow also tightens a group. But rum had a much higher alcohol content than today and dried faster. Having a rag with tallow placed close to your body for warmth, and then used to rub the exterior of the barrel makes thermal transfer and insulation with successive shots possible on a cold day.

[@Chris-SS]

Great video and shooting.

[@Real11BangBang]

thank you very much

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thank you for the video. Impressive hits.

[@Real11BangBang]

Thanks for watching!

[@matthewdonaghue1799]

Great job!!! Keep up the good work!!

[@m.o.f8720]

New subscriber. Enjoyed the video very much. Appreciated the effort to make it as realistic as you could wind and all. Minor suggestion, you probably covered the historical context of the musket elsewhere but one or two sentence summary would have been nice for a drop in like me. Wishing you much success with your channel.

[@Real11BangBang]

thank you very much

[@Real11BangBang]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17Pmp6ZZpmihqM Here you go

[@maxfloppa]

Those technically weren't hangfires, rather, something known as a long "lock time." Lock time is described as the time between the detonation of the powder in the pan and the ignition of the main charge in the barrel. Several factors can effect lock time, such as too much priming powder, not enough priming powder, the vent being fouled, etc.

[@pelonehedd7631]

Not bad at 150. Considering the wind and crude sight. Loading ball first after pouring the powder makes sense as it works like the grass or leafs that the indians would use in their trade guns. On another channel a fella had a similar gun that was more like a Indian capture being shortened and decorated with tacks. He thought that perhaps the shorter barrel made the gun a little more accurate due to less weight out front that could cause movement especially in windy conditions. A shorter gun would be handier in close in woods fighting. It would be interesting to study the ballistics more thoroughly between the two types . For instance the 2 band vs 3 band Enfield’s . Also accuracy comparisons with musketoons and when does their power drop off. How do muskets compare with rifle’s that are loaded with balls spit on only. In a Indian fight or other battle only the first shot would be patched. I doubt anyone spending time to ram a second patched shot would live long. Of course concealed marksmen on a battlefield dominated by the action involving large numbers of troops equipped with muskets would be able to make follow up patched shots because a enemy would find it harder to locate and discern where the shots were coming from and a shooting position farther away affords more time to avoid being overrun. I also noticed a comment by another observant viewer about follow through. It may not be as obvious in shooting firearms but in archery many shooters will want to watch the flight of their Arrow by looking to the side of their bow. Concentration and Follow through as they stated is very important as well as training Your dominant eye by keeping both eyes open. We call it eye of the tiger probably because of the song because all predatory cats have it. You will still be able to watch the path of flight and as a archer who shoots primitive equipment without sights I can tell you that You will develop instinct’s and discipline.

[@almartin4284]

some slow motion shots of the ball in flight would be cool.

[@Real11BangBang]

if you watch our matchlock you will see a ball in air

[@francisstraughniii2473]

Great job just started watching from NJ.

[@Real11BangBang]

glad to have you!

[@Dean-ds1yd]

2 rounds in his face haha. Well done!!! Thanks for the informative video. 👍

[@Real11BangBang]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

It would be interesting to see what you could do with one fitted with a rear sight.

[@Real11BangBang]

we should try that

[@Ford360CID]

a bigger ball and some ffffg or swiss ob in the pan would increase your accuracy by a faster ignition time and the bigger ball will give you better stability down the barrel, that test was very good considering and i believe your experience and steady discipline skills over came the flinch and allowed for accurate shooting...great job i can see why the southern confederates and even the federal troops love the 69 cal smooth bore, faster loading and was accurate enough for muzzle to muzzle fighting.

[@Real11BangBang]

This video was testing wrong the historical military cartridge of the time and I would say that two headshots at 150 m is fairly accurate. Not to mention the long time was pretty fast too

[@twerktwerlkksalvador9586]

My father was born in 1912 and my Grandmother 15 years after the Civil War. My Dad would tell us about the Charleville Musket. The only one I ever saw was the one at Valley Forge, and I was struck by the signature which was embedded in the metal. It looked handwritten and the handwriting looked like our Charleville family's signature. I would love to know if it was a handwritten Charleville signature embedded in the metal. Great video. Great shooter!!!

[@OriginalCoastalDistancing]

What the hell is a “meter”?

[@cristianpopescu78]

😅

[@obamngaaa]

🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@thomaswilson5966]

Cletus 🤪 it's a measurement of distance in the metric system 091 meter in #1 yard : US uses the old imperial system of measurements : 🤦‍♂️

[@letlnee]

way of Measurement YOU AMERICAN 🤮🤮🤮

[@darthtyler100]

@@thomaswilson5966 cut that European gibberish out. We speak in freedom here. 🤣

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

Did he say 65 caliber??? That is crazy. Like shooting a mini cannonball. No wonder amputations were an all time for the revolutionary war.

[@Real11BangBang]

lol yes sir!

[@bowiebowie3624]

I would like to see you deer hunt with that old gun and see if you can bring down a deer with that old rifle now that would be a challenge and where did you get that beautiful gorgeous flintlock pistol that was on your belt I want to hear more about that than anything because that is a gorgeous pistol

[@Real11BangBang]

We'll try and do some deer hunting with it eventually. I have taken it bird hunting and that was alot of fun. The pistol is the 1733 French naval pistol from Militaryheritage.com

[@jeffreyrobinson3555]

French did do test out to 300 meters and got around 10% hits

[@mkshffr4936]

I bet with a little practice you could be pretty effective at 100 to 150 yds. I suspect that if you used separate measured charges for pab and barrel it would tighten up even more.

[@bowiebowie3624]

Like I said I want to see you take a deer with that this coming deer season and I want to see what you think of that rifle as a deer rifle hunting with a 1766 charleville musket

[@gpecaut1]

I have taken several deer with mine, and a black bear. The performance is almost identical to using a 20 gauge shotgun, with a slug, except no quick second shot. Never tried it with buck shot, but it should work fine.

[@Real11BangBang]

Ended up taking two does with this musket Last year

[@patrickmchenry2217]

Geez, good bye shoulder. 😮

[@jefferypowell9885]

I have a 1812 spring field muskit that was converted to cap fire in 1842

[@KathrynLiz1]

That flint needs knapping... will help with the hangfires...

[@leonda4817]

Wow, smoothbores are highly underrated. Saw capandball(youtube channnel) with wheel-lock smoothbore pistols without rear-sights, shooting from a rest at 25meters a group you could cover with one hand. Still more accurate than many shooters hands

[@Real11BangBang]

Absolutely I think most of the myth stems from new inexperienced flintlock shooters flinching

[@leonda4817]

@@Real11BangBang I never thought about that! Makes sense!

[@carlclink9993]

Your Hammer holds the flint which strikes the Frizzen sending sparks into the Pan. The correct pronounced parts of the Lock.

[@Real11BangBang]

the historicaly correct way to say it is, the cock holds the flint which strikes the hammer (or in the early 1700s the battery) sending sparks into the pan. the correct pronunciation of the parts of the lock.

[@chrisabraham8793]

I wondered if you clamped on a adjustable sight just as an a experiment to see how more accurate you could be rather than aim off.

[@Real11BangBang]

I almost guarantee you it would be much more accurate. However, this test was using the technology of the time

[@philgiglio7922]

That first shot at 100 m would have impacted the subclavian artery and he would have bleed to death quickly.

[@nickgould4521]

Always thought that the part of the lock that he put the cover on, was always called the Frizzen.

[@Real11BangBang]

that is a bit of a modern term

[@erniebiggs8343]

Informative vid on the ability of the musket but I doubt in use many were shot from a bench. Adding the human factor would be interesting to see if you can still make a headshot at 150m. And that is where the inaccurate attribute comes from. Possibly the fact others were shooting back at you at the same time! I enjoyed it, its a cool musket for sure.

[@gunneryhoneybadger111]

Yes I agree. Not to mention they would've been standing and marching for hours. Fatigue would've been a factor.

[@BeKindToBirds]

Don't really think it needs to be said tbh. Obviously shooting at a range and shooting in a battle are going to be different.

[@ahazureus]

11BangBang Hey brother, just a little "Free" advice... #1) Get you a much more firm hold, (tight to shoulder) on you gun (smooth bore tube) it's jumping out of your grip, when discharged... #2) You are breaking you hold on the gun, much too soon, after discharge, (even breaking hold after the "flash in the pan" (not good) you must wait for the muzzle blast, PLEASE... Dude... "for targets especially", you should continue your "aiming hold" for at least a couple of seconds after discharge, this will actually reduce recoil and improve accuracy, (Ha... Accuracy... Smooth Bore... Ha) ... Give it a shot... Ha-ha... you may like it... Cheers Mate...

[@Real11BangBang]

Thanks for the advice maybe I can all get all 3 headshots next time😊

[@bowiebowie3624]

The French charneville musket was the best musket that the United States got from the French because of its accuracy the gun had a little bit of a groove in it and everything it wasn't so much of a group but there was a group of rifling in it but they just really didn't have too much they didn't know what the hell they were doing when they were making that French carnival musket because there is a rifling groove in there but they were very accurate rifles muskets but they were known as muskets but if you're shooting at that distance and you go up against a brown best musket you prepared to the brown best at that distance to your friend charnoville George Washington like the French carnival better because it was a faster loading rifle and a very accurate rifle to shoot and it was easy to break down and clean because of that rifle because of the way it was made

[@kimscott8176]

The wind was affecting you. Could see you having to reset. Think good marksmen could easily kill at 150 m. Amazing.

[@rachdarastrix5251]

Back in the days of muskets people actually hit their targets 10 times more often than modern soldiers you know why? Longer barrels.

[@domenigo97]

So much for "you can't hit a barn door with a smooth bore musket"

[@vielumiereg9794]

Honestly I feel like most of the accuracy issues comes from having to fight off the natural flinch from anticipating recoil, since there's so much lag between the flash pan and the actual shot lol

[@tomallen6073]

I bet those round ball at low velocity and bad coefficient of drag don’t do well in the wind.

[@Real11BangBang]

Probably not

[@chrisml8105]

Great video! I have the same musket from military heritage. How did you get it into firing condition. I know the basics, but I'd like to hear it from someone with experience.

[@Real11BangBang]

It's pretty simple. I just marked where I wanted the hole drilled at the top of the pan with a center punch and used a small drill bit and a drill press to drill the hole

[@ericpennington6530]

Hey bud, you guys got me into muskets and 18th century history im just ate up with it now! Anyway where did you get your shirt and vest in this video? I gotta get some period cloths to go with my musket, horn, and possibles bag, oh...... I need a hat too lol!! Thanks man.🇺🇸

[@Real11BangBang]

Welcome to the hobby! These clothes came from townsends and son.

[@ericpennington6530]

Thanks bud, I just love this stuff!! But yea I've ordered flints from Townsend a few times, I'll have to look at their clothing.

[@mkultraification]

If you decide to try it again, I'd prime with 3f. I have their .62 cal "prussian sharpshooter musket". I find that 1f gave me a lot of hangfires. 2f gave a small delay. 3f gave quick ignition.

[@Real11BangBang]

3F is good I've also used 4F. However for this test I was trying to test the accuracy of not only the musket but the paper cartridge/powder charge as well. so therefore I had to prime from the cartridge.

[@mkultraification]

@@Real11BangBangThe accuracy was impressive. I think a lot of the myths of wild inaccuracy come from the fact that most people underload these things. Smoothbore competition shooters know that accuracy with bare ball (not patched) requires heavy powder charges. If smoothbore guns were so innacurate, they wouldn't have been so prevalent among civilians for hunting and protection.

[@Real11BangBang]

@@mkultraification exactly

[@LovesTrains440]

Would love to see a 200m attempt if you haven't already!

[@Real11BangBang]

Plan on it in about a month

[@LovesTrains440]

@@Real11BangBang YAY!!

[@EarlyAmerican]

You don't live anywhere near the St Louis area do you by any chance?

[@Real11BangBang]

sorry no we are on the kansas Oklahoma border

[@loud6931]

Nice job. I especially like your garb. I make paper cartridges for my Pedersoli Brown Bess. Question: What type of paper do you use for your cartridges? Thanks

[@Real11BangBang]

A LOT OF TIMES WE JUST USE OLD NEWS PAPER

[@jefferypowell9885]

Was found in the battlefield of the civil war

[@acratone8300]

Prediction: We won't ever see a 150 Charleville demonstration on this channel. 😂

[@acratone8300]

I have a Charleville (short barrel artillery version) and I can't do squat past 100 yards.

[@Real11BangBang]

Let me get some powder and we'll see lol.

[@caledanielson1193]

This still your military heritage piece? Looks like you refinished it? Looks sweet... my military heritage 1777 is currently giving me fits with the frizzen, busting up flints and I think it needs hardened.... have you had any issues with yours? What size flint you use? How long does a flint go for you? Shot trap with mine the other day... before the frizzen started to die

[@Real11BangBang]

Yessir this is the same military heritage charleville I had a year ago. I have refinished the wood with minwax stain, boiled linseed oil, and Johnson's paste wax, I also added a touch hole liner to get the touch hole up higher for faster lock time. I've got over a 1000 rounds through her and luckily haven't had any trouble with the frizen YET. I use 1 x 1-1/8 flints. Some of them are Tom Fuller Knapped flints from track of the wolf and some I knapped myself. I keep em razor sharp and they work fairly decent.

[@jamesvatter5729]

What touch hole liner did you use, Ethan? I have a Bess that needs that remedy.

[@johnnottahcal5725]

Hey, (just in case) I have a Pedersoli that eats flints. The Duelist messaged me that my hammer spring is probably heavy and to relax it with a proper vise tool a day before next outting. Haven’t tested yet.. too busy playing with Charleville.

[@olgfried3630]

Thumbs up for using the metric system. 👍

[@Real11BangBang]

lol

[@johnnottahcal5725]

I don’t expect my smoothbore and eyes to do as well but for the first time in my life, I don’t care if it isn’t so accurate. I just can’t wait to shoot blackpowder and big ‘ol balls just fur fun!

[@kellydiver]

I can make you some .630 or .640 lead balls, if that would be helpful in being more historically accurate. I’m thinking about getting one of these same Charleville muskets, so I would need some anyway.

[@josephwalukonis9934]

For French muskets with a bore of .69 archeology finds show that they were shooting .62 balls on average. British muskets with a .753 bore used .685 on average. The author is using a heavy powder charge. 120 grains is adequate using modern black powder which is better than what was used back then. Also, people did not call their muskets "brown bess" or Charleville. The British called them the King's arm or just firelocks or maybe land pattern or sea service muskets. The French would refer to fusil m. 1766 for example. Charleville was one of a number of armories where they would be made St. Etienne and Maubeuge are two others.

[@jaydubbyuh2292]

Just think of the achievable accuracy if they had a set of sights on them

[@Real11BangBang]

Well, the Germans did it with the 1801 sharpshooter. Infantry musket seem to be a pretty good concept for skirmishers

[@vallenlen4301]

3:16 based on my experience. You should load the barrel first then the prime because if you add gunpowder on the primer first then load the barrel sometime 50% of incident can happen while your are loading the barrel.

[@johnnottahcal5725]

I wish to buy a mold for a roundball for that. Is the .648 round ball the one if adding to a rolled paper cartridge? I read and heard you mention too, that Washington’s men were using a .643 diameter ball.

[@HungVumanh-rs2rj]

Good gun& good shooter!

[@hellhoundnabong9933]

75/25 success I'd say in a hostage situation.

[@oddrocket2743]

Recommend shooting from the prone off a bag because the body absorbs the recoil and also stabilizes the weapon better than a bench for rifles with more recoil. It may improve your accuracy. Also, can you try shooting from 25m to 200m but just aim at the center chest which is where the soldiers were taught to aim to see what range it drops too much?

[@twforster15]

And always remember aim small, miss small.

[@Joseywales414]

I absolutely love your show !!❣️ I like the Period attire and yes I was thinking the wrong way of loading the wading also. Thanks for doing the homework on this. Well maybe after firing a few rounds a bayonet charge would be cool, Lol,,😅 the right way to stick and move. I think the French muskets are highly under represented in the reenacting community. I’m thinking a lot of the American colonial units just want to use the Brown bess’s?

[@Joseywales414]

Boy that sure looks like that packs one hell of a wallop !

[@marcusaurelius9631]

Yes. I agree. Most AWI USA reenactors use the Brown Bess but I think it is more so they can do both multiple impression, Briitsh Regular, American Militia, or even Continental Line. However, the Charleville was THE most widely used primary firearm of the Continental line. So yes, way under represented. Which is why I chose to buy one and use it in my Continental line impressions. I bought the 1766 Charleville by Pedersoli. The one used here by Heritage looks great. Might have to get me one of those too.

[@johncipolletti5611]

Compare it to the British Brown Bess. The Charleville is far superior! It is a 69 caliber that fires almost all the time because it's powerful spring.

[@panzerdeal8727]

164 yards and some change...

[@1.forestrunner]

I did not expected that.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Nice shooting under less than ideal conditions...how's the shoulder?

[@Real11BangBang]

Shoulders fine however because of the shape of the butt stock every time I shoot ole char she hits my right in the face.