TC's Early Load Data Charts

[roundball]

FWIW, TC's early load data charts listed these .45cal and .50cal "double ball" loads:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/Muzzleloading/TCDoubleBallLoadChartCombined_Page_.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/Muzzleloading/TCDoubleBallLoadChartCombined_Pa-1.jpg

[Adam Helmer]

roundball,

Excellent Post! In later T/C booklets they advise NOT to double ball load their guns. If you look at the weight of projectiles; two .45 balls weigh 130 grains each or 260 grains, or about the weight of a Maxi.

Same for the .50 caliber, two balls weight 180 grains each or 360 grains and are about the weight of a .50 Maxi. So, I will now go do some double ball tests. Many thanks.

Adam

[quigleysharps4570]

Good article...may have to give her a whirl.

[roundball]

Originally posted by Adam Helmer
roundball,

Excellent Post! In later T/C booklets they advise NOT to double ball load their guns. If you look at the weight of projectiles; two .45 balls weigh 130 grains each or 260 grains, or about the weight of a Maxi.

Same for the .50 caliber, two balls weight 180 grains each or 360 grains and are about the weight of a .50 Maxi. So, I will now go do some double ball tests. Many thanks.

Adam

Yes, and as you say, two balls don't weigh any more than a conical in the same caliber, in fact, there are often heavier conicals than two balls weigh.

So my assumption is somebody tried it, didn't get the second ball seated properly, bulged/burst a barrel, and at a minimum TC had to give them a new one under warranty...and/or...there was or could have been physical injury/death...I figure some legal minded exec at TC said "uh-uh...we ain't gonna reccomend that no more".

I've personally test fired several .45cal double ball loads and they were shockingly accurate, with the two balls printing an inch or so apart at 50yds.

[roundball]

Originally posted by quigleysharps4570
Good article...may have to give her a whirl.

I'm waiting to hear back from GM, to see if they'll make me a Flint version of their fairly new .40cal x 15/16" x 38" Hawken drop-in caplock barrel...if they will, I'll get one, and use a double ball load to shoot a deer this season...one 90grn ball is pretty light, but a pair weighing 180grns impacting an inch or two apart at 35-50yds should get it done OK.

Let us know how your own trials turn out...

[quigleysharps4570]

Yep...oughta do the job.
BTW...gonna be the proud owner of a .40 caliber flintlock long rifle myself. Probably be around December before he can get her finished. Has lots of other irons in the fire.