I was wondering if anyone ever had experience loading rifled muskets with shot charges. I was thinking of maybe working up some shot loads with #8 shot that I have lying around. The musket is in .58 (.577 caliber)

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Just a guess on my part, but I should imagine they'd spread a bit faster than when fired from a similar smoothbore.

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A closed mouth gathers no foot

I tried some bird shot in a .58 Zouave back in the '70s. Made a doughnut shaped pattern with a LARGE hole in the center with very, very few pellets. Not worth the effort, IMHO.

Surplus rifle muskets from the War were usually bored smooth and then cut down to use as cheap muzzleloading shotguns.

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WAR EAGLE!

Dave,
I seem to remember seeing or reading about shot cups or wadding designed for muzzle loaders awhile back, but never had any personal experience with them. Good luck - Joe

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