I know this has been asked before. I am having the patch having holes blowen in the center. pillow ticking are holding up great but did not hit the target too well. and I have to watch my money. would corn meal work or should I just break down and buy wads.

Corn meal works fine, but us Southern boys use grits.

Try balling up one sheet, or even a half sheet oftoilet paper and putting that between your powder and patched ball. Be careful though, it can be a fire hazard. I shoot my percussion 12 gauge double with a two-sheet TP wad all of the time. Works fine except for the fire hazard thing.

Corn meal will work just fine. 20 grains is plenty. Be sure and tap the load level before you pour the corn meal. Then set your projectile.

oh yeah semisane. I got the gun shooting great but for 2 hang fires and I forgot to load patch and ball [&:].

nice fizzle lol gave me and 2 guys at the range a good laugh.

I will try that but I got some old corn meal sitting around. about how much? never mind on how much

You can also usea little bit ofcrumpled up newspaper and tamp it down really firm before you load the ball. Watch out for the fire hazardcaused by anysmoldering embers though.

Look for an abandoned paper wasps nest. They are about the size of a football or sometimes a bit larger. Tear off a piece of the outside (more waterproof than the inside) and roll it in your hands until you have a tight ball a little larger than your bore. Pour your powder down the bore and drive the wasps nest down and then your patched ball. Make sure you seat your ball firmly on the charge.

The oldtimers used it to seal the bore from moisture and protect the patch. It works much better than corn meal. It doesn't burn very well; try it with a lighter and you will see. A bore button is the best option be cause it can be lubed and seal the gases a bit better. Your accuracy will improve with either.

there is something I am going to try but I am not going to say what is YET. only if it works.

for some reason in my area. we don't get any wasps nest. I don't get myself, I see them but not there nest. all the paper ideas scare me because of the range I got to. I am going get a new fiber optic sites tomarrow for my new englander. I see if the place has bore buttons. only place locally that has them, are selling them for $11 for 50. I find them online for $6 + shipping for 100

Corey---Just curious..What make of round ball you using there..If these
are cast balls,be sure to leave the sprue UP when loading..Another thing
how hard are they loading? If they are too tight,you may be tearing the
patch when you are seating the ball....Gonna get....

hornidy's right now. never thought it might me be. would not surprise me if I am tearing them. [8D]