Proof loads for 65 cal smooth bbl?

[H Wally]

Alrighty folks - I've got a .65 cal smoothbore flinter barrel that I've finished fitting the breech plug to and I need to proof it. Normally I'd patch up a round ball and double the averaged load data to test with with a rifle barrel, but since this is a smoothbore, flintlock in a weird caliber, those are three variables I've never had to deal with for proofing. The round balls all weigh around 410 grains.

My initial thoughts are that for a 410 grain ball a 65gr load would be normal, so a 130 grain proof load would be acceptable.

SO.

Thoughts on the 410gr projectile and 130 grain proof? Single firing at test or double? I've gone with two shots at proof loads in the past, but this barrel isn't as thick as the others either.

P.S. standard precautions are being taken, IE Barrel strapped to a sled, shielded and bermed, remotely ignited etc etc etc.

 

[wr.sainsbury]

Greetings=would concur with your double charge in 2f powder -not 3f as the pressure increase might be damaging to the tubes, perhaps resulting in bulging. As the usual shot charge in 16 guage is about 1 oz I think you would be safe with 2 balls on top of the powder which should equal about 2 oz perhaps check the conversion chart just to be sure. Anyway with that test done I think you would be safe to continue with the build. Cheers, Bill

 

[thing]

Your smooth bore is essentially a 17ga shotgun, rounding up to 16ga for easiness the max load GOEX gives in their charts is 1oz and 76gr of FFg. Given that I'd proof it at 140gr

 

[mooncoon]

original proof loads were a single projectile and double powder (4 times for the provisional proof). I would think that double powder, single ball would be plenty heavy enough. You could also use 3/4 or 7/8 oz of shot held in place with wads, in lieu of a roundball

cheers mooncoon

 

[sail32]

I pulled this information off of
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/205055/
You might want to check the source if you have the book.


" I think the following British Service charges listed in W.W. Greener's Book "The Gun and It's Development" illustrate appropriate loads for muzzleloading sportsmen. They represent the most widely accepted , authentic and most importantly safe recommendations for muzzleloading shotgunners

10 gauge= 1 5/8th ounces of shot 4 1/4 drams of powder

12 gauge= 1 1/4 ounces of shot and 3 1/4 drams of powder

14 gauge= 1 1/8 ounces of shot and 3 drams of powder

16 gauge= 1 ounce of shot and 2 3/4 drams of powder

20 gauge= 7/8th ounce of shot and 2 1/2 drams of powder

28 gauge= 3/4 ounce of shot and 2 drams of powder.



The 1887 definitive proof loads for the preceding are as follows:

10 gauge=2 ounces of shot and 8 drams of powder

12 gauge=1 3/4 ounces of shot and 7 drams of powder

14 gauge=1 2/3rd ounces of shot and 6 1/2 drams of powder

16 gauge=1 1/2 ounces of shot and 6 drams of powder

20 gauge=1 1/16 ounces of shot and 5 drams of powder

28 gauge=1 ounce of shot and 4 drams of powder


A dram is 27.34 grains of powder (call it 27.5)

American arms have never required proof testing. British and most European arms do. Following the standard service loads will yeild excellent results and a steady diet of these loads will harm neither the shotgun, nor more importantly the shotgunner.

My own experience is confined simply to shooting thousands of loads per year for forty years, thus I am not competent to address turkey hunting."