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