.69 SB Loads

[xring2245]

Gentlemen,
Please let me pick your brains...
When I was originally with the N-SSA (1990s) I started shooting the smoothbore events just after they were approved. One of the limitations were that if the RB was going to be patched, it would have to be with aluminum foil. Well, in my testing with the foil patches, I did not see any advantage to using them. I came up with a load of 65gr. FFFg with lubed roundballs that I kept in a separate tin container. I dumped a pre-measured charge of the 3F and then took a lubed RB out of the tin and rammed it home. I started with a .690RB, then when fouling was building up, I went to a .685", and finally to a .678" when needed. Accuracy was very good.

Now that I am back in the game, I purchased some of the blue tubes. Not sure what I should do now... lube or not lube, foil patch or not???

What loads work for some of the good SB shooters out there? My 1842 is an ArmiSport that I purchased when they first became available.

James

[ian45662]

Try just shooting them as cast with a coat of alox with 45-52 or so grains of 3F. Some guys put dimples on them but you will have to experiment. A guy in my region shot a 50(out of 5) with a few in the x ring and he puts dimples in his balls. hehehe

[xring2245]

Try just shooting them as cast with a coat of alox with 45-52 or so grains of 3F.

Worth trying... Thanks.

J

[ian45662]

I shoot them as cast and as long as I do my part the gun and load will do its part every time

[MR. GADGET]

I'm shooting 84 grns of ff in mine and it does good. Better then I can hold it.
I have a ball roller that will true the balls and removes the sprew, roll them on a file just a little to hold lube and stick in the tube then use the black tube and dip two times in my normal musket lube of 50/50 bees wax/ olive oil.

Using a lyman 678 that the top has been decked a little to lower the sprew a little.

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

I shoot a relatively loose ball (.672) wrapped in aluminum foil (which probably puts me in a minority) with 75 grains FFg (GOEX). Advantages: cartridge box does not get all greasy (crisco inside foil), and I can shoot a whole match without having to clean barrel or pound on ramrod. Disadvantage: cartridge making is a little more labor intensive but I don't modify the round balls in any way. Accuracy is acceptable if I do my part. My second place SB medal at last national bumped me up to sharpshooter class.
Jim Burgess, 15th CVI

[xring2245]

Guys, thanks for sharing. The only mould I have now is .685, but I have 250 or so .690 RBs. I will try some of the charges suggested here, working up to the heavier ones. I'll see where accuracy peaks and then drops off.

James

[Michael T.]

OUCH I'll take my Smoothbore ,it takes 68gr. and a.690 ball that I rasp, my shoulder hurts at the sound of some of your loads..

[Scott Kurki, 12475]

I am using 42 grains of 3F with a .683 roundball that is thrice dipped ice cream cone style. The gun is a James River Armory 33 inch, .69 cal. This shoots point of aim on 25 and 50 yard targets. I am using MCM lube.