LOADING A SMOOTHBORE MUZZLELOADER WITH SHOT

[@beekeeper8474]

Hope you are doing well friend. And can't thank you enough for all the info you have given us.

[@kirkstinson7316]

Mixing your shot with corn muffin mix helps hold a tighter pattern. Don't know exactly why, might be the fats in the mix. But it does work. Corn muffin, NOT corn bread mix

[@JakeGrubb-o7z]

You may laught but I've been using waxpaper for years as a over powder wad and over shot wad and it works great. Been doing it for 50 years by the way I'm 70 years young and I put meat in the freezer every year

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey you won’t catch me laughing. Sounds like a solid idea. I’m sure it doesn’t smoulded on the ground or anything. Solid tip from a salty dog. Thanks!

[@thomas.bill92]

Bob, hope all is well. Really miss the videos!

[@UncleSasquatchOutdoors]

Good stuff! You can even use a wasp nest for wadding. Just make sure they ain't no wasps still left in it!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Great tip, I use it when I can get it, as it makes fantastic wadding, but most paper nest I see around here are Bald-Faced Hornet nests and they are mean as the dickens! I swear they carry little smooth barreled 4-bores!

[@noapologizes2018]

I know you made this video 2 years ago, but it is still informative and enjoyable to watch. Thanks.

[@blackpowdermaniacshooter]

Man....those Tennessee watermelons are TOUGH! LOL Great demo on loading a smoothbore! Thanks for sharing...

[@BlackPowderTV]

Lol! They sat in my truck for a few days... 🤣

[@rebeccaback3287]

I have been watching your videos for half a year. This is a excellent video. Keep up the good work,!David Back Menifee county Kentucky.

[@martinaxe6390]

This is great. After a decade long hiatus from blackpowder shooting, I'm very keen to get back into it. I shot percussion in the past, but looking to go flintlock now. Decided on a 20 gauge fowler too. I appreciate the different options you presented here.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Martin Axe Thanks so much Martin! Welcome back!

[@kyle_sv_xanthus]

Great video, Bob. Always fun to watch this kind of stuff even as a seasoned shooter. I've always used tow myself, with both shot and round balls. I pre-roll the balls of tow at home and throw them in my pouch for faster loading in the field.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Kyle Sondergaard I preroll the tow too but I figured I’d show it on film for guys who never did it. I like tow for cleaning, wadding, and for traditional firestarting when it’s been used.

[@TheBailey98]

Dang. Well done. Very humble. Good teacher. Thank you

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks brother.

[@jimseaman2558]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Very helpful.

[@NorrisdaBahia]

I wanted to see the result of the lead grouping, can you record?

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

overall good experiment!! thanks you its all about the concentration of BB hits in the head!!!

[@bunkstagner298]

thanks this is my tomorrow project first shot with a double barrel 12 gauge. So now I have an idea about smooth bores.

[@BlackPowderTV]

👍🏻

[@michaelhogue3489]

I have a old 28 gauge ( monkey gun ) I bought for 60 bucks it is definitely nothing fancy .I use a pice of old wool blanket for my wad. It sure does a number on rabbits .

[@BlackPowderTV]

Sounds like a cool gun! I like blankets as well, and use them on the 12 gauge, I still need to develop a load for this one. Thanks Michael!

[@johnndavis7647]

Don't know how I missed this great video. Thanks for all you do. John Davis Jax fl

[@lovecraftfan2793]

Got myself a Brown Bess carbine, gonna try this out. Thank You for this great tutorial, Sir!

[@williamseifert6761]

Very nice shooting range and great demo. Good idea showing that there are alot of ways, none that are wrong, about how to load a fowler.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I just Black Powder! FAST Lock! "I'm" a Lube Guy! cleans better too. Keep Your! Smoke Poles SMOKING!

[@mikemcguire441]

Maybe the best smooth bore video I've ever seen. Another great video Bob!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mike!

[@robertderry727]

Nice range

[@timber123doddle]

Just discovered your channel. Enjoying watching your videos, your doing a great job. Also kind of cool seeing someone use one of my Lyman bags.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Darrel, glad you found us, thanks for watching! It’s a great little belt bag! Perfect size, i love it! Thanks!

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

You should put “NSS” (New Shooter Series) in the titles of these to make it easier for people to find/identify them.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Veteran Iron&Wood They are all in a playlist called “New Shooter Series”. Good idea on the title. I’ll do that. 👍🏻

[@clifflee7461]

Great video Bob love busting clays and shooting round with my 20 gauge Cheers

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Cliff!

[@michaelcibula1014]

Gotta go out and get one of those looks like alot of fun, Thanks for sharing!!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Michael!

[@jeffe.9904]

Bob another great video, very enjoyable, thanks again!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Jeff!

[@maxmorter503]

Can you use a tapered nitro card amd get wider spread? Dunno if they are made maybe even different tapers for different spread

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

A trade musket is exactly what I have on my short list for a first flintlock. Nice, simple and versatile. Should be a lot of fun for small game and maybe even early season deer here in Canada. Any chance of a video on shooting ball in these?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Yes sir! I plan a series on the smoothbores so I’ll do a buck and ball and roundball video in the next week or two. Thanks!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@BlackPowderTV sweet, thankyou! Flintlock longarms, no matter the age, are not considered firearms under Canadian law. I enjoy hunting with more modern tools but the old style flintlocks have always fascinated me.

[@charlespayne1061]

Love that sound of a flintlock! I have a Brown Bess and she shoots very low I've tried different loads and wadding but she hits 3 feet low. Ps it's shocking how much more she kicks with a hot load.

[@BlackPowderTV]

You and me both! It shoots that low with your entire front sight showing in your sight picture? Wow. You may have a bent barrel. Is your muzzle square? I'd post this on the muzzleloadingforum and see if anyone else has had that issue.

[@charlespayne1061]

I'll have to check next time I'm in Florida brother got it on the wall lol but the last time I had it out the stock it looked straight. Thanks for information

[@ValMartinIreland]

File down the front sight if possible. It was probably meant to he filed

[@kellyinterrante3884]

If you get used to what it looks like, you can put the shot in your hand and dump it down since you are not trying to shoot tens. Also you can poke a small hole in the center of the shot card to let air escape.

[@ValMartinIreland]

I would put a clean un-lubed thin wad on top of the powder so that there is no lube wetting the powder. On top of that the wad would want to be a 5/8 inch long felt wad. Then the shot and a thin over shot card as shown. A thin wad will let the high pressure gas get past it and blow the pattern,

[@williamallan5791]

potentially dumb question: do you need to ram the first patch all the way down before you load the shot, or can you push it down with a ball starter, load the shot on top of it, put the shot card on top and then push it all down?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I push the whole load down sometimes but depending on how tight everything is it might only go down one at a time. 👍🏻

[@martinmeltzer2696]

Hi Bob! ANOTHER informative video! I particularly like the idea of nicking the card to prevent air build up! Is a Buck And Ball load video looming in the near future?!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Martin Meltzer Thanks! Yes, I plan a series on smoothbore loading so, bucknball, and round all coming up!

[@dmorgan724]

@@BlackPowderTV -- I'm patiently waiting on my French Tullie from TVM.. which is also my very 1st flintlock EVER. .. these videos are astronomical in helping with the learning curve. Thank you for your time and consideration Sir!! Much appreciated

[@BlackPowderTV]

Bear Morgan Thanks Bear! Nice! I love French guns! Thanks!

[@johnndavis7647]

Just a couple of things to mention. First is our pattern. We are working to get a dense enough pattern so we get four or five shot into the head or chest of our critter. You know what your normal woods ranges are where you live. For me, I shoot most of the small stuff at around 20 yards no further than 25 Yards. If the shot is closer, say 10 or 15 yards, then I aim for the nose so most of the shot lands in the head. So, I work with my load to get a good pattern at 20 Yards. If the pattern is too thin, I add a little more shot until I get the density I want at the range I need to shoot. Next is power. The prettiest pattern in the world is no good if we don't have enough velocity to drive the shot deep enough to reach the critters vitals. The old way was to shoot a steel bean can. If the shot would penetrate both sides of a steel can it would do for small critters. If the shot just bounces off the can, I add a little more powder , say 5 grains at a time, until I get the penetration I want. The old way was to work out the best load and at what distance it patterned best. Then try to take as many shots as possible at that distance. The fun never ends. Thanks for all you do and looking forward to more. John Davis Jax Fl

[@dwayneparkhurst5370]

Another fun video! Keep them coming!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Dwayne! Will do!

[@williamflood8296]

I have two questions. One where do you get Toe to clean the barrel and two where do you get the spray bottles of bilistol. Great informative series. Thank you.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I buy my Tow from brojohannes on ebay and the spray bottles of Ballistol on Amazon.👍🏻

[@flintymcduff5417]

So far in my .62 Fowler I have found 50 grains 2f, tow, 1oz shot, tow to pattern best.

[@oldschooljack3479]

'nother good 'un Bob. You're doing great. Paper cartridges might be a fun experiment... More material for another video anyway.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks! Great idea! Going on the list. 👍🏻

[@D5quared91]

Great vid! In one of your vids you mention your EDC knife is a folding 18th century one. I am curious who made the knife? I would love to have one.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I’ve got a few but the one I carry the most is an 18th century folder by Scott Summerville. Thanks!

[@johnmccoll1046]

Good video Bob, Highly recommend it for new and old muzzle loader shooters to watch, good information on black powder and shot loads. But the best part was no Chewing tobacco!! Keep the good work up. Cheers

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks John, and because you’ve been so vocal about me having “leaves” in my mouth I’ve begun edited out the ‘spits’. That said, to me it’s something akin to a European explorer traveling up the Amazon, discovering a lost tribe, and promptly telling them to “put some shoes on”. It’s part of my culture, as is the BP, and the farm, and the Overalls, and hunting, and, as is also part of my culture, I respect your right to your opinion and choices. Have a great week! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@deanmacka4975]

Great stuff mate. I think the lube is the way to go .

[@rickbreze7469]

what I got out of this is that depending on how you load your over powder wad, cushion wad effects how tight the pattern is. Of course you can search for V.M. Starr, he was the master of Muzzleloading Shotgunning. Read how he loaded to get the most from a smoothbore.

[@scottschaffer5905]

Great video for us new to black powder! Does buck and ball load the same way?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Scott Schaffer Thanks! Load the ball with the buckshot loaded after, then a wad loaded to keep it all down. Very similar. You can wad in between the ball and the buck. 👍🏻

[@scottschaffer5905]

@@BlackPowderTVThanks for the info. And thanks for clueing me into Bill Raby! He gives a lot of detail into the process of building a rifle. Still looking forward to seeing your build.

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

Will you please work hard on coming up w a .62 gauge load for turkeys that is concentrated as much as possible for a headshot at 30 yards. maybe could we use minea ball wadding cups that won't melt? maybe a 610 gauge size wadding plastic wads for thr BB cups will work..or heavy paper cups made by wrapping then around fingers our finger . Need a solution thats the :" tightest group combo recipie". Thanks

[@flintymcduff5417]

Lots of ideas out there if you look but bottom line is YOU are going to have to figure out the best shooting load for YOUR gun. No one is going to do it for you. I found powder, tow, shot, tow to work the best in my Fowler-SO FAR.

[@kevincombes3159]

I'm really enjoying your channel. I recently bought a percussion cap rifle, and sometimes have trouble with misfires on the initial attempt to fire it. I think lubricant in the barrel may be part of the issue. Do you do anything to prepare the barrel before the initial load is placed in the gun, such as swab with solvent, or a dry patch?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I do run a dry patch before and after popping a cap on an empty bore before loading. That will help insure you don’t have oil in your nipple! Thanks!

[@timcaseable]

Bob: What are your thoughts regarding petroleum vs non-petroleum lubes? Also, how do you carry your shot? I've tried putting it in a horn, but it clogs up at the spout.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Tim Case My advise is to keep petroleum products out of the bore completely. They tend to leave a glaze that builds up over time and is hard to remove. I know guys who use virtually every type of non petroleum imaginable as a lube with good results and no gummy or glaze buildup. I personally like anything natural. Bear, deer, beef, or sheep’s tallow. Track of the Wolf’s Mink Tallow is great. I carry my shot in traditional shot pouches. I particularly like the upside down hide pouches with clothespin stoppers.

[@ralphperez4862]

One day, I’ll try one of these. I’ve got plenty of shotguns now. A feller can’t have to many now. I wonder how these compare balistically to a modern day shotgun, in terms of power and maybe accuracy?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Ralph! They’re a lot of fun. They can be loaded to be ballistically the same but they were traditionally Cylinder bore so you’ve got to learn how to hunt with them or get it jug choked.

[@markhazen9521]

Could you use lambswool instead of toe

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 hervorragend, dankeschön!

[@kentwilliams4152]

Does the lubed patch contaminate the powder at all?

[@BlackPowderTV]

A sopping wet patch will to a very small degree but I haven’t found thicker lubes do at all. It’s really not enough to worry about I think. 👍🏻

[@sicsempertyrannis4104]

Still enjoying your channel content, hope you’re doing well Boss.

[@starwarsraul13]

Hey there can you make a video on how you make the "wad"?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I will do that! Thanks!

[@GCSimons]

Was going to try shooting shot out of my dads Pedersoli Brown Bess to get an idea if maybe I’d like to get a Fowler. I just found out that there is chilled shot and magnum shot. Can’t seem to find any of the softer chilled shot anywhere but I do have the harder magnum shot at the house. Would this damage the bore in anyway using the magnum shot? Wanted to make sure since it’s my dads gun and not mine. Thanks!

[@flintymcduff5417]

It won't hurt the bore. There is no choke in the Brown Bess bore so no compression of the shot passing through it.

[@GCSimons]

Copy that, thanks for your reply. Ended up bird hunting with it and had a blast, really looking forward to it again this upcoming season!

[@Hunter850]

Another great video what are you using for your lube?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hunter850 2/3 bear grease 1/3 beeswax. 👍🏻

[@Hunter850]

Black Powder TV being I don’t have bear grease what would be a good substitute?

[@BlackPowderTV]

When I don’t have bear grease I use Mink Oil from Track of the Wolf.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Hunter, thanks for the question, it’s a good one, and I normally would have chatted you up a bit more about it but I was on the boat Crappie fishing and between poles in the water and sketchy cell service I was sort of out of pocket. I like bear grease and mink oil. I try different combos of the two that sometimes include beeswax depending if I want a wet lube or a more waxy lube. I’m always looking for something that’s historically correct and that works better than the last combo. It’s really never ending. Thanks again!

[@tiffshew6337]

My name is john big fan of anything blackpowder. Your doing great on your videos. Could you do a video on how too get past the flinch on flintlocks

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks! I can, that's a great video idea John. I will say the best way is to 'slowly squeeze the trigger while starting at the target/front sight and let it surprise you when it goes off. What flinching really is, and what you have to beat, is anticipation. The only way to beat anticipation is to outwit your brain. Stare at the target, by way of your front sight, slowly squeeze, thinking ONLY of the target,....blam!.....if you weren't shocked it went off, you did it wrong. Once you get that down, you can squeeze off a shot when you want like when you offhand shoot and your sight is moving around and you need to pull at the right second. Great idea! Thanks John!

[@tiffshew6337]

Thanks bob I'm rather new to flintlocks always had tc hawken. But the flintlock bug bit and now i have 2 tvm 50cal flints and a smoothbore and i still have trouble with flinching. But I'm working on it

[@BlackPowderTV]

Work on it hard. We all had it. Laser focus on the target, the gun won’t hurt you, let it do it’s thing, your thing is proper aiming. Let me know how it goes!

[@wadepatton2433]

Oh boy, I can't wait until you do "pattern development" videos (It might take a series). So much discussion I see about 1F and 2F and fat wads vs. thin wads, all related to "donuts". But hey, let us not complicate things for the noobs. 8^D

[@BlackPowderTV]

I expect to do one soon. Pretty complicated and I'm still trying to figure out how to do it and make it watchable. The day I went out and did these last two videos I hit the pattern board about 15 times. 1f seemed to pattern slightly better with a nitro wad and overshot but I didn't run through the full cycle of charges....

[@thebigfellar7178]

Cut or drill a small hole in that watermelon or cantaloupe ,add water till full replace cut piece or wad up leaves etc .Than shoot it. That's how you do it. Massive explosions. Peace. P.s. works on cans and milk jugs too.

[@BlackPowderTV]

👍🏻

[@jamesshuler4703]

what kind of knife are you carry ??

[@BlackPowderTV]

The knife I used in this video is a traditional pattern knife hand hand forged by a traditional knife maker from the pattern of an original of the colonial period. They resembled modern long steak knives and were used hunting and at home.

[@loopmichaelvalentine8273]

Just use newspaper over the powder and over the shot simple as that or even use dry grass"

[@richardreynolds4190]

Hornet nest

[@olskool3967]

Bob I noticed you shooting that pistol in your last video left handed, but you shoot a rifle right handed, are you ambidextrous? there is a neighbor kid who comes down to my range and shoots some time and he is right handed but shoots a rifle left handed and a pistol right handed,,,,,,,,,,,

[@BlackPowderTV]

Yes sir. 100% ambidexterous. Handy for some things, a pain for others. I never know which foot to kick a ball with....I used to shoot left handed rifle but I'm right eye dominant so I had to close an eye. Not very good for quick shooting sports like 3-Gun so I switched. I still shoot pistols left handed as I can turn my head a tiny bit and use my right eye.

[@wadepatton2433]

Tow is for cleaning on my ridge. Rifles that is, someday I'll have a smoothie.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Well, Wade, seeing as you're two ridges over, I say ya'll do it wrong over there.....lol. Theyre loads of fun, you need to whittle yourself out one! Thanks for watching Wade!

[@bunkstagner298]

I would presume loading a double barrel shot gun would be the same in each barrel.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Bunk Stagner It would. Remember each barrel may have a different choke and after firing one barrel I suggest tamping down the load in the other barrel just to make sure it’s still seated. Especially if using ball.

[@olskool3967]

me first! great Bob,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Olskool! I appreciate you brother!

[@davidbeasley2853]

Yall keep oily Shychief😂

[@dannyhanke4338]

I contacted Jack Brooks on 12/1/20 about the price of this gun... $5,000 yikes

[@BlackPowderTV]

That may be what it takes to get him to build another one. He hasn’t done one in some time. I swapped one of my guns for it at a much less swap value than that. They are expensive though, no doubt.

[@danielzunigagutierrez6300]

Either, your gun Is too long or you are too short.

[@georgeyboyhowe1685]

slow down theirs no rush love your videos but you always look like your running around slow down

[@BlackPowderTV]

I’m a bit high strung Georgey Boy!

[@georgeyboyhowe1685]

LOL