NEW SHOOTER SERIES - LOADING A FLINTLOCK SMOOTHBORE WITH BALL AND BUCK-N-BALL

[@kirkboswell2575]

Yes, people patched smoothbores. IMO, the reason everyone thinks that loose balls were always used is because the militaries ALL did exactly that. But the military relied on volley shooting and accuracy was secondary - ease of rapid reloading was very much primary, so a relatively loose ball that would drop all the way down was what they cose.

[@mikemcguire441]

A perfect video for smooth bore shooters. Everyone posts on rifles, pistols this is a great primer for all the smooth bore shooters.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mike! I plan on several more smooth bore videos in the coming weeks!

[@SteelWaffle112]

@@BlackPowderTV you think my first flintlock should be a smooth bore or a rifled one I've shot purcussion rifled for like 10 and have always wanted to try flintlock cant decide though

[@BlackPowderTV]

@@SteelWaffle112 It depends on what you want to do I suppose. If most of your shooting is within 75 yards, I'd get a smoothbore, a 20g/.62 cal is a good choice. You can shoot shot or round balls, hunt game from squirrels to deer, and they are typically lighter weight. They are a perfect all purpose gun. Some guys even get decent 100y accuracy with some heavy load testing.... That's what I would suggest you consider.

[@simonkenton4040]

My experience has taught me that the best way to load a smoothbore is bare ball on top of the powder, and a wad on top to keep it rolling out. Its the easiest and the most accurate.

[@wittsullivan8130]

The more you're yackin' the more I'm learnin'! Yack away, Jack! :)

[@andyd2960]

I gotta get a single barrel smooth bore. I have a drisket double barrel with twist steel barrels. I get nervous with heavier loads.

[@gordonhazel697]

Bob, used your idea of greased strips of patching tied onto my bag strap, works a treat, don't know why I had not thought of that years ago, thanks !!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Gordon! I give anything I see on original bags a try. I like that I can tuck it in the bag if I’m sitting under a tree or in any situation where it may pick up dirt or dust.

[@Hoosier9422]

Great stuff Bob. Thank you! I think your choice and VOLUME of background music is perfect by the way! Lord love a smoothbore!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hoosier9422 Thanks! Nothing worse that intrusive music! I love a Smoothbore too! If I could only have one it would be smooth!

[@Deli1321]

Great video. I'm about to purchase my first blackpowder musket and these videos help a lot!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Glad to hear it Deli! Thanks a lot!

[@Deli1321]

​@Black Powder TV just checking in 2 years later. Since then I've bought my English trade gun fowler and shot it a bunch. I hope you are doing well and look forward to new videos. Best wishes to you!

[@james_lessick892]

Thank you so much for this learning tool. I really needed that. Now in confidence I will shoot my new Trade gun at some skeet.👌🤠👍

[@dwayneparkhurst5370]

Another fun and informative video. Every time you show another type of Flintlock I think, "I need one of those!" Thanks for the videos, have a good one.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Dwayne Parkhurst Thanks Dwayne! That’s how I ended up with them! Gotta have that!

[@Iviking11]

This clears a lot of things up for me. Thank you so much for these videos.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Youre welcome! Thank you!

[@TheGhostrider1959]

I had been wondering about this....You said you were using a .58 round ball in this video.... I took 4 shots @ 30 yards off of a bench rest just for accuracy in my test....using a .595 round ball & 80 grains by volume of Goex 2f.... 4f Goex in the pan....I shot 4 bare ball rounds with a card to hold every thing and had a 6 1/2" grouping slightly left of center & and a little low....I then shot 4 more after swabbing the bore and this time used a .015 patch & a mink oil lube....tougher getting the ball down....but made it....this gave me a 10 1/2" group all to the right of point of aim & low.....This was shot thru a Fussle De Chasse or a Tulle what ever you want to call it.... I'm a left handed shot, shooting a right handed gun....but the bare ball loads seemed to be a better way to shoot it....gonna repeat the test the next time shooting all 8 shots off hand....love your videos....looking forward to more videos as soon as your health permits....

[@BlackPowderTV]

Interesting. Let me know how it goes. 👍🏻

[@TheGhostrider1959]

@@BlackPowderTV Did it today....although the offhand shooting was a factor as well as my left handed shooting a right handed gun could be also....bare ball was 1st shot 3 inches left of dead center while the other shot was 4 inches left and 2 inches low....the 1st patched ball was 2 inches off center & a inch and a half high the 2nd patched ball was 3 and a half inches left and one inch high....now considering the 2 factors plus only the turtle sight at the muzzle end of the barrel....not to bad....gonna try and get some .60 balls and repeat the 2 tests....I did notice the bore was a little more fouled after the bare ball shots....but that was expected....could also play in to the mix this is the first 8 shots in these 2 test that I've ever fired in this gun....

[@jodydurant8315]

That was not just entertaining, it was great and informative. Exactly what I was looking for- the practical application, some insight. I am trying to order a Smoothbore tonight based on your previous videos. This video answered a lot of questions I had… and it was fun. *grapeleaves. Now, my anticipation level is worse! Thanks Bob! :)

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Good information, as always, I know I have read a ton of stories about the versatility of loading a Brown Bess musket and you certainly show some of that here!

[@BlackPowderTV]

TurtleWolf Pack Thanks TWP, they are very versatile and it’s no wonder they were so popular as a primary gun!

[@davidharris7687]

Excellent, you keep it simple but effective!

[@kswan6581]

I like the video. I need to add a smooth bore to my collection.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks! They are a lot of fun!

[@timwarnecke9889]

Thank you for a great lesson. I have two suggestions... not saying they are corrections cuz any way you do it that is safe and effective is right. 1, at the range I always "swab" the barrel with a greased patch to clear some fowling and, more importantly, the ensure I extinguish any burning embers. 2, I was told that buck shot should go down the barrel first, then the ball. Theory is that the ball will travel faster and not be impeded by the buck shot down the barrel. Greatly enjoy your channel, always smile when I see you have a new lesson!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Tim, excellent comments. My whole goal on swabbing a gun that will be fired over and over rapidly is to develop a load that doesn’t need swabbing, while loading easy, and maintaining accuracy. Whether one can do that or not is hugely dependent on the humidity of your area. As for the embers, I’ve never heard of it happening but I’m always cognizant of it. Also on the buck first, yes, that is ‘best practice’ and I wouldn’t suggest doing buck second with a tightly patched ball. I should have mentioned that and loaded buck first in the video. Thanks.

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 = there is nothing left to say! Everything perfect! Yes I am Austrian and speak German & English!

[@kentwilliams4152]

Thanks much for the video. I am looking forward to ordering a TVA Fowler in the not too distant future.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Kent! You’ll like the Fowler!

[@wadepatton2433]

Hey, I got my knucklehead license a long time ago. 23:00 Somehow survived anyhow. Good video.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Lol! Thanks Wade! My wife calls me a knuckle dragger and my mom still calls me a knucklehead. Sensing a pattern here.....

[@oldschooljack3479]

Thanks Bob! Good shootin' and fun to watch.

[@BlackPowderTV]

OldSchool Jack Thanks Oldschool!

[@Snap4590]

Another great video. Thanks! There must be something about smoothbores and big powder charges. I shoot my 20 ga with a .600 roundball, pillow ticking patch, Mr. Flintlock lube and 100 gr of 2F. It's a very accurate load in my 31" barrel smoothbore.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Snap! Yep, I agree, I have great luck with big charges. I usually shoot 100 of 2f as well. I’ve been toying with Fg to see if my pattern tightens up with shot. Jury’s still out but it is a bit easier on the shoulder. Thanks again!

[@kentwilliams4152]

“Load with concrete and let it dry.” 🤣

[@Solemngolem]

I would like to see a video on how to, or even if it is possible to remove a dryballed, patched roundball from a smoothbore that is equipped with a plain wiping stick ie: no threaded end and no ball puller equipped. A lot of trade guns were equipped with only a plain wood ramrod and the guns had flat bottomed breeches from what I understand, so no airspace to put powder in like in a modern patent breech gun. This is why I think it wasn't commonplace to patch round balls in smoothbores....removing a wad is easy in comparison. Can you actually get enough powder between a patched roundball and a flat bottomed breech to shoot the ball out? Or.... What if the powder in the barrel got wet? Will the gun still fire? Some say yes, but it's hard to believe without actually seeing it being done. What happens if you get your ramrod stuck in the barrel (I did this twice 😆) with a patch that was too big, or without knowing better you get a wire bore scrubber stuck down the bore? It would be cool to see a "Worst case scenario" video like this. I would like to see some "Oh shit" moments and what to do...because you know we all have those moments. How to deal with these moments safely and not panic would make for a great video I think.👍

[@johnndavis7647]

Yep, dry balling is something we all do eventually. I usually prefer to shoot them out. I dribble a little fine powder through the touch-hole and shoot it out. With percussions I screw out the nipple and dribble in 5 grains of powder then replace the nipple and shoot it out. Just be sure that the ball is firmly seated on the powder with no airspace between the powder and ball. The next thing is stuck ram rods. Everybody eventallly does that too. The trick is to realize that the patch does most of the cleaning on the way out. So what you do is work the patch down the bore a few inches at a time then pull up on the rod. You can feel the cleaning patch breaking the fouling loose as you pull up on the rod Then go down few more inches at a time until you reach the breach plug. Then you can pull the ramrod all the way out without fear of getting your ramrod stuck. I usually turn the patch over and run the clean side of the patch down and out the bore again before reloading.

[@jeffreyrobinson3555]

I’ve had several times I used tow as tinder. A little nest of tow with a char cloth on it. Struck my spark and it caught in the tow. I like to grease my tow, or paper or jute 😊

[@BlackPowderTV]

Jeffrey Robinson Yes sir great point. 👍🏻 I use mine for tinder after I use it for wadding or for cleaning.

[@geneslodysko6150]

Great video as always! Keep the smoothbore videos coming! We help my daughter and I when we get ours. Couple questions. What’s the benefit of 1f over 2f? Would it help the recoil? If so, I may consider for my daughters 20ga when it arrives. Is the oil in sheep wool enough to keep it from catching on fire? Or should I treat it? If so, what do you treat with? Thanks again! Would love to see bench results with round ball at 50yds. Maybe a video idea. Lol

[@BlackPowderTV]

Gene Slodysko Thanks Gene! The main differences between 2f and 1f will be lower pressures and less recoil for a given charge with 1f, which can help with patterning and is gentler on the shoulder. I definitely like it for shooting shot. It can build up fouling faster than 2f depending on your humidity so you’ll have to see how it works for you. Wool really doesn’t smolder so you would be fine using it without worry but Mink Oil Tallow from Trackofthewolf or any other high temp oil or tallow would work great. Also lots of commercial stuff will work fine. It depends a lot on your relative humidity and the particular gun. 👍🏻 Will be doing round ball bench test next week I think. Thanks!

[@gregggibson3109]

Very informative, good video!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Gregg!

[@donfullbright8468]

Great information

[@MayorOfGoodells]

Could moisture from a green leaf cause problems in the powder if left for any amount of time?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I haven’t seen that be the case but if you left it loaded for any amount of time it might be possible. 👍🏻

[@chickensandwich1589]

Miss this channel! Hope all is well...

[@Rumblestrip]

Your getting used to the camera and an audience. 😁 Great video. Ive been using a 5/8" punch on scrap leather for over powder and raw wool over yhe shot. My gun seems happy with it and 100 grains of ffg. Patterns nice. Still playing with loading ball. Seems to like 0.600 ball with 0.010 pillow ticking. I got a TVM Tulle Fusil

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Pat! I appreciate it!

[@Rumblestrip]

Nice shooting

[@BlackPowderTV]

Seems like a good load. I really like the Tulle, and it’s probably next on my list to pick up!

[@UncleSasquatchOutdoors]

Very good video and great advice.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Uncle Sasquatch Thanks US!

[@scottschaffer5905]

Grape leave... who'd have thunk?! Another great, informative video. I'm glad to see you load buck and ball. Forgive my ignorance, some videos suggest it is "more correct" to load buck shot before ball as the ball could override the buckshot in the barrel (causing a blockage?). Thoughts?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks! I suppose ‘best practices’ would be to put your buck in first and I wouldn’t advise putting 00 buck on top of a tightly patched ball but I believe the gasses escaping at high velocity around a loose fitting ball will keep the gaps clear of the small, malleable #4s. Excellent and pertinent observation. Thanks!

[@millardmoore479]

Us knuckle heads you know it. ❤

[@olskool3967]

good video Bob,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks!

[@t.curran8243]

Do you think the leaves will wet the powder if left in there during a hunt? I guess you could use kudzu leaves also (a Southern thang), although hickory or scuppernong, or muscadine is more period correct. Having the wadding catch the place on fire is a consideration. I'm free m Western NC, near "Mayberry."

[@BlackPowderTV]

I haven’t seen any issues with my powder poofing and I’ve left green leaves in for several hours, but I suppose it could. I use mostly muscadine leaves. One Kudzu leaf would work for half dozen shots. 👍🏻

[@allenwyatt3700]

Great video. Do you see a difference in point of impact when you add the buck over your ball load? I have a smooth rifle and it’s shoots quite accurate out to 40 yards. I am just curious how the added shot would change the point of aim or impact. I guess I will have to try it out and see.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Allen Wyatt Hey Allen, I wasn’t really shooting at a mark as much as just trying to get it on paper offhand but I couldn’t tell. I bet it would change it some. 👍🏻

[@larryharris3648]

can a rifled barrel flintlock be loaded with buckshot or anything that you discussed;the green leaf wading etc

[@bayouknivesandoutdoors501]

I suggest putting th smaller shot under the ball to prevent bridging and creating ablock

[@BlackPowderTV]

I’ve heard that concern and have tried it both ways thousands of times without any problems or notable differences either way but it seems, at least by common sense, that your suggestion is advisable. 👍🏻

[@jacobwilbert1018]

Maybe with iron or rocks or something, not lead. Lead is malleable and it will squash and swage. The things that people are always worried about never happen but it makes sense in our heads. Logic n physics often dont line up, reality is reality even if its confusing. Besides shot comes out in a string not in a stacked up column. Shot strings are often 15 or 20 feet long, its not flying in a 2 dimentional pattern like you see on paper. Its not stacking n compressing through the muzzle. This is why the sky cheif load works, its keeps the column from stringing till it leaves the muzzle.

[@timcaseable]

I've got a 20 gauge smoothbore with a 27 inch barrel. Any special recommendations based on this short barrel?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Tim, the shorter the barrel the smaller the maximum charge. 50g-70g or so. That’s about the only difference as far as loading for a shorter barrel. You’ll have to really do a lot of testing to find the tightest pattern for shot and you probably need to be closer to the maximum load for an accurate ball load. 👍🏻

[@johnndavis7647]

You might find that Swiss 3f works better in a short barrel.

[@nakoawarrior3186]

This might sound weird,.....how thick is your barrel? I have a black powder shotgun,... it shoots shot great. But I was afraid to shoot a heavy round ball in it,......I have shot deer slugs out of it with no accuracy,.... it will only hit out to about 60 yards. So you think it can shoot a round ball?

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

LOL, Concrete on top the powder

[@Mr.Nogman]

How about a old sparkplug?

[@bdlit7165]

A couple questions. Have you ever heard of crushing 1 or 2 fg in the pan? I've heard of it just not sure it's a good idea. Also have you heard about pre-chargeing then raming either shot or ball depending on the game they saw? Not sure that last question made sense but anyway.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I’m not sure I would crush it in the pan as it would be a pretty fine bit of work. As far as preloading with powder, then going over the top with a few over powder cards and then load as needed, I think it might be a good idea depending on the situation. Great thought. Thanks!

[@davep7034]

I was wondering is there a lead buck shot for 54 cal smooth bore if so what size

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Dave you use the same shot in any size gun, just pick the shot for the game you are hunting. If a round ball is what you’re looking for use Hornady’s .54 cal (.530) or if you can find .535 that will work as well. 👍🏻

[@davep7034]

Thankyou did I mention the gun I'm shooting is a traditons 54 cal blunderbuss kit I highly recommend one there really fun and alot more accurate then I whould have thought its good enough to hunt with it and my new favorite black power gun and thankyou for makeing these videos merry christmas

[@BlackPowderTV]

@@davep7034 Merry Christmas to you Dave! You didn't mention it but I love Blunderbuss' and one is definitely on my list!

[@leohenley8814]

Why are you using 1F and not 2F?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I use 1f or 2f in my big bores. 10/12 gauges and bigger get the powder, like any other caliber, that shoots best in the gun and often that’s 1f over 2f, especially with shot as often big bores shoot better with the lower velocity of 1f, but not always. 👍🏻

[@roddboyer5555]

Have you named your range yet?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Rodd Boyer Not yet. Still mulling it over...

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

Black Powder TV I vote Boomstick Run. Or Smoke Pole Run.

[@Vtmtnman42]

I also saw a difference in ignition time between 3f and 4f in my .32 smr.Not huge,but noticeable.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Vtmtnman42 Yep. I did some super slow motion tests and found a difference all the way from NullB though 1f. Like you say, slight, but there. I generally use NullB for all but 3f main charges but on my small calibers I use NullB in the pan too. Sounds like we found the same thing. 👍🏻

[@hangfire5005]

What you said about me?! lol

[@BlackPowderTV]

🤣👍🏻

[@michaelhargrove1466]

You know you just told people that they can use nuts and bolts or sand in their nice flintlock smoothbore . Very bad advice . DO NOT DO THIS you will ruin your bore or maybe your arm . This aside I like your video