Anyone try "Buck and Ball" Load?

[4b1t]

I have a Loyalist Arms India Pattern Brown Bess. Was going to try a "buck and ball load" for interests sake.

I cast up a bunch of ball and some .330 buck. From what I can gather the U.S. used three buck per ball, any other options ? Anyone have any load suggestions? What about patching options?

 

[daveT]

Buck and Ball

Even from historical digs, I have not seen evidence of more than 3 buck balls - not to say that that was always the case, but it would seem 3 was the norm. They were loaded together in a paper cartridge, tied off with string. If you google it, you will find some good illustrations of how it was done. Don't expect any sort of accuracy, though. This was simply a way to chuck more lead with every shot against a mass.

 

[Claven2]

Bear in mind, unless you proofed the gun with a lead projectile(s) equivalent to your buck and ball weight in grains, I would suggest backing off the charge a little else you will increase pressures up to and possibly past your previous factor of safety from proofing.

I tend to avoid B&B for just this reason.