Double ball loads.

[Adam Helmer]

Yesterday I was testing ML stuff on the backyard range. I read an article a while back about double ball loads in muzzleloaders and decided to give it a try. The article ran tests on .45 and .50 caliber arms with 100 grains of Goex 2F powder. I tried 75 grains to be on the safe side. Actually two balls weigh about as much as the Maxi for all calibers tested, so it seemed safe enough.

The .45 caliber Hawken flint put both balls on point of aim for the single ball at 75 yards with both balls 2.5 inches apart. The .50 Hawken flinter put the balls an inch lower than point of aim and the balls were 3.75 inches apart. The .54 Renegade caplock put the balls 2 inches lower than point of aim and 4.2 inches apart. I like pure research and recorded these results in my shooting notebook for future reference.

The article had a few cautions that bear repeating: With cast balls, load ball #1 sprue down and ball #2 with the sprue up. Be sure to seat the second ball firmly on top of the first ball. (I suggest you mark your ramrod to be sure with a clean bore) The PA Game Laws book states the legal load for deer in the Traditional Season is "A single projectile."

Being retired, I have too much free time. I need to work on another project.

Adam

[buckhunter]

Adam,

You need a hobby.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Quick question....is that second ball patched same of the first, or does it sit on top of the first patched round ball? If the 2nd ball isn't patched, my might benefit by putting a small cardboard (poster board thickness) spacer/disc between the first and second ball.....I saw this used with multiple ball loads in the .38 special.

Seems like the bigger the caliber, the farther apart the balls tend to spread at a given distance?

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I'm sorry I was not clear in my original post. YES, both balls are patched, BUT there is ONLY the first powder charge beneath Ball #1. I may try using a card wad or Ox-Yoke felt wad to see what happens.

I see the main benefit of this process is that one can increase the muzzle energy of the payload by 100%. For close range use, the effectiveness of round ball is enhanced. It seems the larger bores spread more. Of course, your results may vary.

Adam

[Dale]

I have also shot two patched balls from my .50 and had about the same results. For close up shots it should work fine. I have never tried it while hunting though.

[roundball]

I've experimented with those same loads (just because) with good results too...T/C's early owner's manuals actually listed the double ball loads in the load data section...I assume they ultimately dropped them out of the book due to possible liability...somebody doesn't seat the second ball properly or something and bursts a barrel, etc

[Jack]

Adam, sort of a related concept.... have you ever tried the old 'buck and ball' load? I'm sure you're familiar with it.
For those who might not be, a 'buck and ball' load was a full size round ball, plus a few buckshot pellets. In the .69 caliber buck and ball loads common in military usage before the days of rifled muskets, buck and ball was one full size ball, plus 3 buckshot pellets.

[Adam Helmer]

buckhunter,

LOL! I have lots of hobbies running this old farm. I bought 60 acres so I could have a backyard range nearby.

Jack,

Yes, Buck and Ball was used even in the first years of the Civil War. Volley fire from close ranks of troops must have been devastating on the enemy.

Adam