Makin' "Punkin' Ball" loads in Magtechs w/BP

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy there, Hoofer!

I'd take Del's caution ta heart 'bout that ball acting like a snow or mud plug at the end of the bore!  I wouldn't (and am NOT in MY gun, going to) chance it!  Glen (Del) is VERY knowledgeable regarding many things, and shotguns are one of his specialties.  I've been talking to him on the phone regularly and he's been helping me (an' Rooster) 'bout these proposed "punkin' ball" loads.

Basically, if your choke is constricted enough that the ball won't drop 'thru, then don't bother.  Like yours, my chosen balls drop easily into a 12 ga Magtech shell.  However, my right barrel (IC) will allow the ball to pass 'thru with enough extra room for the wad (a lubed cloth patch, really) to also go 'thru with minimum shrinkage.  As Rooster an' I decided, a patch is very important, 'cause otherwise, the loose ball will rattle down the barrel.  Heck, it'll STILL probably be somewhat loose - even WITH a patch around the ball and a wad behind it! 

Now I can't advise ya about backboring, 'tho if that DOES open that choke up enough it oughta do jus' fine. 

The way my shell is gonna end up loaded is like this:  Mag pistol primer (NOT totally needed, but I have lots), BP (load yet to be determined, but probably close to an ounce or a bit less, a .125" 11 ga nitroed card over-powder wad, a .500" 11 ga dry lubed spacer wad, a dollop of lube followed by the wrapped (patched) ball, then more lube added and finally a .030" 10 ga over-shot card wad to keep it all neat and sealed with waterglass (sodium silicate) or Elmers to seal it all.

Your mileage may vary.

Have fun ... be safe

[Hoof Hearted]

SHB

The shotgun that I am proposing to use has no choke. I should have siad this in my original post.
I am not sure how long the forcing cone is but I do have a long forcing cone reamer and would not be opposed to reaming the forcing cone and honing it if Delmonico thinks that would help this .008 interference "on it's way" down the bore.

Here's the skinny on what I am doing:

Someone gave me the action and forend for an old Remington "side cocker" single bbl 12 gauge.
Then I found a replacement stock. To this I fit (sorta fits) an old Rolling block butt plate. I bought a barrel off ebay (before the AGB decided to stop parts sales). I have mounted a "ramp" with a dovetail (from brownells) and a Lyman 17A to the front and a "hunters staff" for a Stevens (from Jeff's Outfitters) to the tang. Had to tig the hammer spring (was broken). Did some trigger work. I now have a smoothbore 12 gauge rifle! Outta be just the ticket for those pesky tree squirrels near the house

by the way not "hoofer" say hoofhearted real fast over and over again........you'll get it

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Got it! 

I guess what I really missed is the size of the balls yer usin'.  Mine are .690" from a Brown Bess, I thimk.     Not a problem in MY barrel, but yours are bigger, so...

Sounds like an interestin' gun project ya got goin' on there Who ... er, Hoof Hearted.  I've been known fer shortnin' names 'tho Hoofer, so ...    'Sides - it sounds better shortnin' the FRONT of the "name" than the back ...

 


Yeah, I know ... 10 thousand comedians are out of work, yet I'm making jokes!

[Delmonico]

Back boring is going to cause problems with card wads and black powder, it's not going to seal well and you will get hot gases blowing past, but reducing velocity and raising heck with patterns.  With modern guns which work best with plastic wads, the brass shells will give better sealing because they use an 11 gauge wad rather that the 12 gauge wad that is used in a plastic or paper shell.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

something I heard from another pard was to lube the big round ball with Lee Liquid Alox, which SHOULD prevent most if not all leading in your smooth bore and choke.

I still say, a paper cup of some type is preferable, as you don't want the ball "bouncing" its way down the bore.

[Hoof Hearted]

something I heard from another pard was to lube the big round ball with Lee Liquid Alox, which SHOULD prevent most if not all leading in your smooth bore and choke.

I still say, a paper cup of some type is preferable, as you don't want the ball "bouncing" its way down the bore.

Alox and Black Powder is not real good unless you wanna make "goo"

My intent is to have the ball fit the bore.

[Delmonico]

something I heard from another pard was to lube the big round ball with Lee Liquid Alox, which SHOULD prevent most if not all leading in your smooth bore and choke.

I still say, a paper cup of some type is preferable, as you don't want the ball "bouncing" its way down the bore.

As long as the thing will slide through the choke it would be fine, but I would only use that method for a gun with no choke, otherwise you are slill at risk of damaging a barrel, the shooter and any by-standers.  Have you ever seen what just a little snow in the end of a barrel will do if the gun is fired?  

[Hoof Hearted]

Back boring is going to cause problems with card wads and black powder, it's not going to seal well and you will get hot gases blowing past, but reducing velocity and raising heck with patterns.  With modern guns which work best with plastic wads, the brass shells will give better sealing because they use an 11 gauge wad rather that the 12 gauge wad that is used in a plastic or paper shell.

I think I have cofused you here

This project is purpose built to shoot ball only. I'm not looking at back boring (I've owned back bored trap guns) to reduce pressure in the sense of  patterning shot.

I have built the correct wad column, fully understand the difference between black powder chambers/forcing cones and smokeless ones, and my goal here is to only determine how much "interference" I can get away with shooting a pore lead roundball down a smoothbore that is proofed for smokeless powder.

[Delmonico]

Well, that is different, earlier in the tread I posted the basics on regulating the load to make both barrels shoot to the same POI.

[Hoof Hearted]

Well, that is different, earlier in the tread I posted the basics on regulating the load to make both barrels shoot to the same POI.

Only one bbl
Hopefully with the gods on my side it will hit the same place as I point it

So do you think .008 is too much "interference" with all the afore mentioned specs?