.690 round ball terminal ballistics at < 100 yards

Just did a calculation using a Taylor KO calculator. My round ball scored 76. That is a .690 RB at 495 grains going 1550 fps from a 12 gauge shotgun.

Does not sound right? If it is right then the TB at 100 yards will be impressive.

What do you think?

It's right. Momentum comes in pretty high aswell.
However, energy is low and the BC of a round ball is so bad that by 100 yards you'll be under half of muzzle energy.

Energy isn't the only, or best, way of calculating if a round is good but it's useful.

Presuming accuracy is good I'd be happy using it on deer to 70-100 yards but no more. A foster slug would be better simply for energy retention.

I have always wanted a 4 bore smoothie for BIG round balls mind

Not sure about a 4-b0re - unaware of any of the old guys wroting about them with anything but hate - and you had best hire a gunbearer to tote it. Now an 8-bore rifle is something special (though you still might want to consider employing that gunbearer!) A friend took one to Africa several years ago for a couple of episodes in his TV series. It was decisive on buffalo.

From personal experience I much prefer a RB to a deer foster type slug for penetration. Ymmv
The problem with the RB is accuracy over 50 yards. I am currently working on a special load which looks promising in the accuracy dept.
There is something about the RB just keeps me interested, I think it's the fun aspect and the fact they are easy to cast and load.

Slugs............I also like the properties of a big round ball. Besides, lots of history there. Jimbo is right, they do bleed off velocity pretty rapidly, and a Foster slug does a little better in that dept. but the Foster is light for caliber, and soft. Not quite at the "spread on toast" density, but close. Even a 20 ga Foster is fine for deer at 75 yards or so, but a lightly hardened 14 ga RB is a lot harder to stop.

In his great book written 150 years ago, Lt John Forsythe opined that the round ball was the ultimate hunting projectile. His book is very convincing. His theory: use a shallow twist light rifling. Easy to clean, lots of speed. A RB needs little twist anyway, and the bigger the ball, the less twist needed: one turn in 12 feet being about right for an 8 bore. His main caveat was make sure it was big enough. His favorite allround was a 14 bore: 69 caliber: diam .678 considering patching material. 478 grains roughly depending upon composition. 225 grains of 2F giving over 4000 ft lbs of energy. He shot a lot of buffalo with this gun.

Time has proven the Lt wrong, and my 45 Hawkin will deliver more energy than my .62 roundballer...at distances beyond 150 yards.............but I cant shoot that far anyway.

The company, "October Country" makes a replica of Forsythe's guns. The model I like best is called, "The Liver eatin Johnson". But a friend of mine has produced over 7000 ft lbs of muzzle whop with their biggest gun.

In the museum at Kimberly, a half century ago, was a 4 bore, made by Rawbone of Cape Town. Who says a roundball can't kill elephant?

FWB

Gentlmen , Flatwater bill and Jimbob

Thanks for the informative excellent replies!

Yes, the external ballistics of a traditional foster slug are slightly superior to a round ball.

The terminal ballistics of a round ball are superior at less than 100 yards. All things being equal.

My goal is to maximize my smooth bore 18.5 inch barrel 12 gauge shotgun for hunting purposes. I'm of the opinion that the shotgun reigns supreme for a alround hunting gun and I simply wish to make the most of my shotgun.

The .690 round ball at 1500 fps muzzel velocity will easily kills all walking animals in NA and most that is walking in Africa, within 100 yards.

So 100 yard accuracy is now my quest...... but ..... I may of bit off my than I can chew.

Cheers !

I have seen smoothbores win the 50 yard "rifle" shoot at muzzleloader matches. Beyond 65 yards I have never seen them win. But a reasonable group at farther distance is sure possible. let me know how you fare..................FWB

Yes, I will let you know.

Cheers