Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Traditional Firearms => Flintlock Long Guns => Topic started by: Swamppanther on March 30, 2021, 09:49:06 AM

Title: STARTING LOAD
Post by: Swamppanther on March 30, 2021, 09:49:06 AM
i HAVE A PEDERSOLI INDIAN TRADE MUSKET  (62CAL/20GA) THAT SANTA  GOT ME ABOUT  2  YEARS AGO. NEVER BEEN FIRED.
i HAVE PLENTY  OF FFF, OVER  POWDER, OVER SHOT, PRELUBED CUSHION WADS, NO 5 LEAD  SHOT. BASICALLY EVERYTHING  I NEED TO  LOAD   AND SHOOT.
ITS TURKEY SEASON IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THOUGHT I  WOULD LEAVE MY "SWEET" HOME AND  TAKE THIS TO THE  WOODS AND  AT LEAST SHOOT IT.   
USING A STANDARD POWDER MEASURE  SET AT  70  GR  FFF WOULD IT BE OK TO USE  SAME MEASURE/SETTING FOR THE NO 5 SHOT?
JUST  TO GET  IT IN  THE WOODS AND SHOOT!
 :Doh!
Title: Re: STARTING LOAD
Post by: rollingb on March 30, 2021, 11:22:50 AM
Yes,.... an equal (or greater) "volume measurement" of shot is generally recommended.  :bl th up
Title: Re: STARTING LOAD
Post by: Bigsmoke on March 30, 2021, 11:37:48 AM
Yes, that sounds good to me.  Volume for volume is a good way to start.

But, before you go out into the woods, you really need to have a pattern board session.  If your local gun range doesn't have a shotgun area with a pattern board, it's not that difficult to conjure one up.  You will need a fair size cardboard box, maybe 30x30", some butcher paper, a roll of masking tape and a big rock.  Put the big rock into the box to keep it from moving around, then tape a piece of paper to the box.  Mark an aiming point on the paper and let rip.  Have fun !!!

John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: STARTING LOAD
Post by: Winter Hawk on March 31, 2021, 12:08:15 AM
Volume by volume definitely, but usually you determine how much shot you want to use and get a measure for that, then use the same measure for the powder.  For shot you will probably want to go with Ffg rather than 3F, although the latter will work.

~Kees~