Buck and ball calibre and which way up

[Indianabugles]

I have always been of the opinion that with ball and buck the caliber of the big one, in a 69 was 69 and the little ones were 22 and the ball sat on top of the three buck in the barrel. However there has been a little debate here recently suggesting the buck are .31 and the buck sit on top of the ball. As we are thinking about testing this we would be very interested if anyone could shed light on this. I have seen several examples and it all a little unclear. I know my opinion on this and am mighty interested to settle this at my end.

[Johan Steele]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

.64 w/ 3 buckshot on top. Either .31 or .36 I don't recall. At least that's what the dug (dropped) one from the Hatchie measured.

[talkToTheHat]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

For 3 equal sized circles enclosed in a larger circle, the formula is:

D * 3/(3+2*SQRT(3)) = d

where D is the larger diameter and d the smaller.

.36 balls are way to big to the point of two not being able to pass in a .69 barrel. .32 will be very tight, .312 has the same tolerances as the .64 ball behind it, so .31 is viable.

[ACo.]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

.64 - .65 (standard musket ball for .69 bore gun in US/CS service) and three .31 cal. buckshot. Ball went in the barrel first with buckshot on top, cartridge paper on top acting as wadding to hold the load in.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

Hallo!

Correct.

The nominal ball size was .650, the nominal "buck" size .31.
("Nominal" because they vary by thousandths or hundreths.)

The "preferred" method for making them was swedging/pressing, although they were cast in molds by the U.S. and C.S.

And due to the presence of odd imported muskets larger than .69, cartridges were made in larger sizes such as .71, .72, and .73- St. Louis going to .75 buck and ball cartridges.

However, due to casting techniques, and variations in molds and mold tightness, surviving buck shot is known to range from .290 to .352.

Curt

[Indianabugles]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

I was wrong. Hence why I asked and now I know. Thanx for the heads up guys.

[Dreadnought1]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

Bumping an old thread here but a question or two if I may:
- For a .69 cal musket, what is the actual difference in mass between a standard ball and a buck & ball load?
- Given the higher 'payload', was there any difference in the powder load used for buck & ball?

Thanks & Cheers,
Frank Strik

[talkToTheHat]

Re: Buck and ball calibre and which way up

(My results math displayed to 3 significant figures)
One ideal .31 buckshot weighs 37.4 grains
Three .31 buckshot weigh 112 grains
A full load of buckshot (12 balls) weighs 448 grains

One .650 ball weighs 412 grains
One .650 ball and 3 buckshot weigh 524 grains

The 1861 ordinance manual lists 110grains powder for both buckshot and ball rounds, and 70 grains powder for the more massive 730 grain 685 expanding ball (minié), although this is reduced for the effects of both mass and skirt on the barrle pressure, and the reduced thickness of barrel in the rifled 1842....

For comparison
.577 Pritchett i.e. .550 (yes that thin) expanding paper patched British round designed for P1853 Enfield weighed in at a beefy 530 grains
.58 Expanding ball for Musket and Rifle 1855 (1861 specification) weighs 500 grains