New site holds some promise.

[relic nut]

Scouted out a new permission today. We suspect it was a small Confederate picket post early in the war. This is a wooded lot that is thick and hard to hunt. It's also loaded with modern trash but we did okay.
I found 7 round balls, one had been pulled and some camp lead. I also found what is left of an old wooden handle fork that I suspect is period and a bucky ball.
Hopefully we can get back and find a button or two.
Thanks for looking.

 

[Phishfarmer]

Nice finds. I fear your "thick" wooded lot is only going to get worse real quick. HH

 

[relic nut]

Nice finds. I fear your "thick" wooded lot is only going to get worse real quick. HH

I'm afraid you are right.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice finds, congratulations!

 

[dirtlooter]

I always wonder about a pulled ball, like why was it necessary. sometimes in the heat of a moment, frantic loading leads to mistakes. but I have seen them pulled because of simple mistakes made while talking to someone and not paying attention

 

[relic nut]

I always wonder about a pulled ball, like why was it necessary. sometimes in the heat of a moment, frantic loading leads to mistakes. but I have seen them pulled because of simple mistakes made while talking to someone and not paying attention

Moisture and wet powder was probably the main reason.
I use to muzzleload hunt with a 50cal Hawkins and loaded it without powder before. I would remove the nipple and put a little powder in the hole and it would spit the ball out most times.
There are many reasons to pull a bullet, but moisture was probably the main reason.

 

[dirtlooter]

Moisture and wet powder was probably the main reason.
I use to muzzleload hunt with a 50cal Hawkins and loaded it without powder before. I would remove the nipple and put a little powder in the hole and it would spit the ball out most times.
There are many reasons to pull a bullet, but moisture was probably the main reason.

I shot a lot with a lot of guys back in the 70's in a big muzzleloading club in San Antonio Tx. saw my share of pulled balls, even saw stuck ram rods shot out of guns. I always used a little FFF mixed with FFFF to trickle in nipple hole and shoot the ball out. I shot 58 musket, 50 cals and 45 cals back then. Worked for a guy building TEN RING PRECISION pistols back then. lot of great memories back then

 

[thrifty76now]

Nice finds on those lead balls.

 

[sutphin]

NICE FINDS