Carson smoothbore

[swoter]

Stopped in a small gun shop this morning and had to buy this. It’s a smoothbore, marked Carson 20 Gauge, 00015. 42” octagon to round browned barrel, flintlock. Small rear sight with a bead front. Haven’t pulled the barrel yet to check for any other markings. The lock sparks very well.

 

[Armored farmer]

Without hesitation, that would have came home with me also.
Congrats, im glad for you. Let us know how it shoots, and how well you like it.
I am tempted to make my next bp gun a smoothbore.

 

[swoter]

Just ordered some flints and round balls from Track of the Wolf. The biggest balls I had were .570 for my Zouave. Didn’t have any flints, and the gun shop only had T/C flints which are a little small, but will work.

 

[Armored farmer]

Order plenty.
50 to 60 shots per flint if you are a good Knapper.
They keep well!

 

[swoter]

Few more pics:

 

[Armored farmer]

That's a good looking piece.

 

[Jim Watson]

How much does it weigh?
I probably couldn't afford spectacles in those days, even if I knew there was such a thing.
No need to lug a heavy rifle.

 

[swoter]

Weight on my home scale is about 7 1/2 lbs. First time I picked it up felt lighter than it looked.

 

[cowboydave]

Nice

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

That's one of the most beautiful flinters I've ever seen! Congratulations on the sweet find!!!! Now it's time to send some lead down range!!!!

 

[JeffG]

Very nice! Good score!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Weight on my home scale is about 7 1/2 lbs. First time I picked it up felt lighter than it looked.

I bet it's very well balanced, which would make it feel very light. And, 7.50# is light, my Bess and Jeager both weigh 8.25# and carry well.

Smooth bores can be quite accurate, (with quite a bit of load development and experimentation) hence the rear sight. I have a rear sight on my Brown Bess. Even so, 60 yards is about it, generally speaking, for a sure shot. With a good rest and a standing target, one can chance stretching that a bit.

Get some real rocks from Track Of The Woof, I think a nice piece like that would be insulted with a fake rock in the jaws. I use the black English flints for target practice and load development but like the French Ambers for in the field. Not that the English flints are not perfect and totally reliable, just "seems" like the ambers spark maybe a little tiny bit better. Or not. Well I like how they look. !!!

Okay...ENJOY!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Just ordered some flints and round balls from Track of the Wolf. The biggest balls I had were .570 for my Zouave. Didn’t have any flints, and the gun shop only had T/C flints which are a little small, but will work.

.570's will work in a 20 bore. Use a denim patch from an old pair of jeans. I've shot denim patched .575's in my Jeager. Not as accurate as .600's or .595's, but I could keep them on the paper plate. With a denim patch, in a smooth bore, the .570's might surprise you and work perfectly fine. ? Only one way to tell!

 

[swoter]

I bought some English flints from Track of the Wolf, and some balls sized .600 and .610. I already have some .575 on hand and shot them with pillow ticking patches. At 50 yards I had a 6 to 8 inch group. Was using 70 grains of FFFg Goex. Still have some work to do, but it’s fun to shoot!
Am waiting at house today cause fedex is bringing 5 lbs of black powder, and it needs an adult signature. They came by yesterday and I was at work, so didn’t leave the powder. Otherwise, I’d be at the range already.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Okay, I wasn't sure if you were saying Track was out of flints...which would surprise me, but with all supply lines in chaos I wouldn't be surprised. !!

Six to eight at 50 isn't bad for the first shots tried. You'll get down to 3" at fifty in no time.

My Brown Bess is most accurate with a heavy charge, rather than lighter. Also, it seems to prefer a small ball, thick patch combo over a thin patch, large ball. Even though it's a .75", I shoot a "chewed" .690" in it. I've tried bigger, but the .69 shoots best. "unchewed" I use the denim patch, "chewed" I use a .023" tick patch. Also I put one pure wax, waxed felt wad over the powder, and a slightly lubed wool wad over that. But them smoothies is all different. !

How did the .575's go down with ticking? Have an idea what the actual bore-size is?

 

[swoter]

My micrometer says bore is right around .620, and the patched 575 went down fairly easily. After around 15 shots, I had to swab it out. It was getting really tight with fouling. When I take it out to try the bigger balls, I’ll try a denim patch with the 575. All I had the other day was the pillow ticking I use for my 58. If I could get it under 6” at 50 yards, I’ll be happy. I’m happy now, but I’d be happier.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

You'll get her down to 3" at fifty. That's normal for a smooth bore with a load it likes. Especially with a rear sight.

If I can get three shots loaded fairly easy with a smooth bore before wiping, I'm happy with that. Same with my rifles. That's with hunting in mind, for plinking I guess one would want more than that. 15 shots and I'd say you should use/try the denim.

 

[swoter]

You’re probably right. I’ll try it later this weekend.

 

[Iggy]

That flinter is finer than frog’s hair.
Enjoy.

 

[StrawHat]

You might also find this old trick helpful for extended strings. Use two patches on the ball. When it gets tight, drop down to one patch. You will get several more shots before needing to swab.

Kevin

 

[Ugly Sauce]

You might also find this old trick helpful for extended strings. Use two patches on the ball. When it gets tight, drop down to one patch. You will get several more shots before needing to swab.

Kevin

Yes. For hunting, I load a very tight combo in the clean barrel for my first shot using a .023" patch. Then for follow up shots the balls in my loading block (3) are in .018" patches. Kind of the same idea. Of course, that .62" has never required a second shot, (although I am perfectly capable of making a butt-shot or something) but I like to be able to reload fast in case Grizz wants to take my kill away. !!!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

You’re probably right. I’ll try it later this weekend.

I could be totally wrong, but I'm a firm believer in "try everything".