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Picture of Paul H
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How about we discuss something related to big bores for a change? I think we've pretty well covered most of the cartridge cased big and bigger bores, but I recall a scant few threads about smoke poles.

I imagine there has to be at least a few on this board firing off the front stuffers. I don't have one personally, but am considering making a howdah, to have a legal over 50 bore handgun. I suppose a large bored rifle would be rather fun as well. Any good websites one would like to share would be appreciated as well.
 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
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Picture of Hobie
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Paul,

I use a .54 Caliber Thompson Center New Englander for deer. Without the QLA feature! I've tried a musket cap nipple and gone back to the standard nipple for the No. 11 cap. I've used RWS, CCI and Remington caps AND I've used both Pyrodex and 2F and 3F BP by Goex and Elephant. I've shot round ball, Hornady Great Plains and Buffalo Bullets (HP/HB and HP/SB). These are the conclusions I've come to.

1. I like this rifle.
2. With 60 grains of Pyrodex RS and a patched RB, I can shoot cloverleafs at 50 yards. Power is adequate for coyotes and smaller (although this load is legal for deer in my state of Virginia).
3. I can use the same RB and patch combination with 100 grains of Pyrodex or BP for 3-4" groups at 100 yards (there was a cross wind, not good for RB).
3. The Hornady Great Plains will not stand up to charges in excess of 100 grains of either Pyrodex or BP in this rifle. With charges of 90-100 grains, this bullet is accurate (2-3" at 100 yards for 5 shots without cleaning between shots)and powerful enough for deer or black bear.
4. The solid base bullets are not accurate in this rifle.
5. The Buffalo Bullet HP/HB bullet will take charges to 120 grains of Pyrodex or BP and shoot accurately (2-3" at 100 yards). Sufficiently powerful for deer and black bear.
6. In the terrain and vegetation where I hunt, this rifle is as effective as any other. Only for shots past 125 yards is there a handicap and these do not come very often.
7. That big bullet gives me a LOT of confidence.
8. This rifle was inexpensive ($158 including shipping) but isn't cheap. It has stood the test of 10 hunting seasons and about 2000 shots.
9. It is reliable. The only problems I've had with ignition were when I left a wet patch down the bore (now HOW did that happen? [Roll Eyes] ) or when I switched to the musket nipple. All the major brands of cap work in this gun with both Pyrodex and BP.

A long post, and I'm not quite sure if this is where you're going with your topic. The upshot of this is that I feel that ML firearms can be fully as effective as any cartridge gun.

Oh, and I have a TC Seneca in .45 with which I use either RB (for small game and varmints) or the Hornady GP HP/HB (285 grains) and 80 grains of Pyrodex or Goex BP. But this is the same as the .45-70 and I didn't want to start THAT topic here! [Wink]

Darn, I wrote this and then thought, well maybe Paul means big bore for ML, like the .62s and up! I sure would like to have one of those Pacific Rifle Zephyrs in .62! Oh well, I guess we'll just wait and see...

[ 09-27-2002, 23:10: Message edited by: Hobie ]
 
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Paul H
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Hobie,

Thanks for all the input. Yeah, I was kind of thinking about bigger bores [Big Grin] like something .7-.8" in dia.
 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
<FFg>
posted
Greetings Paul,

Try October Country web site (http://octobercountry.com/muzzleloaders/) . They make 8 & 4 bores (1,400gr, .989 dia ball). This should get you started.

FFg
 
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Earlier in the week on the European thread I posted about a 1.19 bore diameter muzzleloader I just got. Made in Sweden in 1812-15 with 29 1/2 inch barrel wieghs around 17 lbs.

I have no idea what the loading would be but in excess of 11 drams and maybe a 1700? grain bullet? Is that big enough? [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin]

Selous talks about shooting a 4 Bore single shot that was loaded by the handful not by the grain. [Eek!]
 
Posts: 6277 | Location: Not Likely, but close. | Registered: 12 August 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Bill/Oregon
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Paul: There is a thread starting on the BP forum about the .72 Kodiak doubles. They are a huge amount of fun for the dollar. A 715 round ball may not get your big bore jones scratched, but swap it out for an 835-grain conical and 140 grains of FFg and now we're in country. Seems to be a lot of interest in the big Kodiak MLs in your neck of the woods.
 
Posts: 16679 | Location: Las Cruces, NM | Registered: 03 June 2000Reply With Quote
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