Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk. A musket is a muzzle-loaded long gun that appeared as a smoothbore weapon in the early 16th century, at first as a heavier variant of the arquebus, capable of penetrating plate armour. [1]

The Minié ball, or Minie ball, is a type of hollow-based bullet designed by Claude-Étienne Minié for muzzle-loaded, rifled muskets.

Buck and ball was a common load for muzzle-loading muskets, and was frequently used in the American Revolutionary War and into the early days of the American Civil War. The load usually consisted of a .50 to .75 caliber round lead musket ball that was combined with three to six buckshot pellets.

Jul 21, 2017 · If the ball is round, measure its diameter in inches with a set of calipers, but do not take the measurement on the mold seam. Typically, musket balls range in diameter from 0.39 inches to 0.80 inches.

Oct 20, 2019 · The rifle musket was a much better choice against enemy skirmishers. Members of the Irish Brigade also traded their smooth bores for rifle muskets while advancing at Antietam. The deadly effectiveness of the buck and ball fired at close targets in unquestionable.

Initially, musket balls were simple round lead spheres. As firearms technology advanced, so too did the design of ammunition. By the 19th century, the Minié ball—a conical bullet with a hollow base—transformed musketry. This design allowed for greater accuracy and range, marking a significant shift from traditional round balls. ...

A Musket Ball is the type of round projectile fired from muskets. Musket balls are typically cast from molten lead. Musket balls are usually cast one caliber smaller than the bore of the firearm from which they are fired. Patching is used to seal the bore when loaded with a musket ball.

Muskets Smoothbore muskets were the most common type of weapon used during the American Revolution. They were effective to a distance of about 100 yards, and fired a round musket ball, with a diameter (caliber) of about 0.60-0.70 inches.

Balls & shot for muzzle loading guns Hornady round balls are die swaged from pure soft lead. Each ball is perfect, no shrinkage, no sprue, no wrinkles. Hornady round balls are made in the most popular calibers.

3 days ago · We get a lot of calls from folks starting out in muzzle loading looking for load for their TC, CVA or Italian Hawken type rifle. For a .50 caliber rifle, I suggest a .490 ball with a .015 inch patch powdered by 75 grains of real 2f black powder.