I attended a cannon shoot competition 25 yrs. ago, where I witnessed the astounding accuracy of a 3 inch bore smoothbore cannon attaining 6" groups at 200 yds. I inquired as to the secret of what I considered to be amazing accuracy for a smoothbore and they had no a reservation in telling me that they they used a plastic disc of somewhat tight bore size attached to the back of a wheelweight cast ball with a sheet metal screw. I've read of the historical accounts of what I also thought to be amazing accounts of the accuracy of the smoothbore 12 lb. Napolean cannon, Which we all know had a substantial wooden sabot strapped to the rear of whatever projectile they fired, solid shot, case shot or grapeshot. Apparently a sabot or disc attached to the rear of a round projectile will not allow it to de-stabilize because if it it tries to the disc will move into the air stream and straighten it. So I beg the opinions of the many of you that are more intelligent than I, Would the ultimate round ball smoothbore musket accuracy round not be a reasonably snug fitting disc of a modern or historically available material (horn,paper,wood or whatever material) attached to the rear of the ball with a (screw, hide glue, modern adhesive or whatever) followed by a so called grease cookie to maintain lubrication, followed by another wad to protect the lube from direct flame impingement. This technology existed during "The War of Northern Aggression" So why aren't we using it now? I submit that it just might attain rifle like accuracy! If we collectively developed such a load would it be forbidden by the NSSA. If the aluminum foil technique is allowed and I have no problem with this! then why not the "Theoretical Sabot Smoothbore Solution"
Bookmarks