Traditional Firearms > Flintlock Long Guns

Shooting the Fusil. Finally.

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rickevans:
Last winter, I traded this and that for a used Centermark Fusil. It is a pretty plain jane model, .62 cal with a 36" barrel. Not quite a fowler, not quite a canoe gun. Anyway, I have been gathering the accouterments and finally got to shoot 'er the past weekend. I was very happy with the results. I used a .600 rb and some pillow ticking patch. It was a bugger to start! Should things be that tight?
I'll be looking for some .595 rb to do more testing.  The load I used was 70gr FFFg.  Aiming off hand at a knot on a tree at 25 yards, I hit just about an inch right at 3:00.  That looks like minute-of-deer to me.  

I do have a couple of questions.  Do ya'all use a short starter on these smoothbores? Is 70 gr FFFg an ok deer load?

tg:
70 gr will do fine at the range one can effectively use a smoothbore. I used to use .600 bals with a thin cotton patch, no patch and exchnaging the ball  for the shot in a shot column works well also, younwill probably find a .575 ball with a thick patch works well also,thses guns are very forgiving with load combos and still be deer worthy out to 40-50 yds, I have used .535,.550, .562 and .570 in my .58 with good results with a variety of patches, wadding, bareball with overshot card, try them all and see what you like the best.

rickevans:
Thanks fellas.  I am pretty geeked about hunting with the fusil this year. I am headed to the range next week to do some serious shooting with the RB that I have and various patching and powder combos. Wyosmith, I agree on the pass through concept. Two great big holes to let the air in and the blood out is perfect!

Flint62Smoothie:
As 'tg' offered, I too use a thin patch in my flint smoothie.

I use a homespun ($2/yard @ Wally-World ) cotten patch, lubed with Track's Mink Oil, under a 0.600" cast roundball from Eddie May, over 70grs of FFFg and I'm am thrilled with the accuracy and performance.

chuckpa:
Here is something else you might want to try. Get some shot cushion wads and split them then punch a hole in them and use them as over the powder wads followed by your patched round ball. It might increase your accuracy. I have one gun that it works really well in and another one and it does not make any difference at all.

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