Buck & ball was a standard issue round used by both armies. It was intended to increase the fire power of muzzleloading smoothbore muskets & shotguns. At Stones River, 40% of Union infantry was armed with smoothbores. in a matter of months, they were historical relics replaced by rifles.wasn't BUCK & BALL used by the IRISH BERGADE?
That's a treasure, for sure.Awesome
You are very correct !As a hunter I can tell you Buckshot( specifically OO or larger ) is devastating a ranges under 40 yards. Most hunters (that use buckshot) restrict their shots to 40yards or less, but thats only due to pattern density . Buckshot pellets of the stated size, can kill MUCH farther away. As a young man I remember, a local man was who tragically was killed by his partner, in hunting accident, when he took a single 00 pellet to the head at 125yards away. I remember it so distinctly because I was in the same woods that day, and saw the ambulance carting him out. At the time of the ACW shotgun slugs were also in use, I have one (dropped not fired) somewhere in my collection. They are at least the equal of smoothbore muskets, matching in range accuracy, terminal ballistics.
I suspect that instructor was trying to be funny.When I took a concealed weapons class, the instructor said if the intruder was in your house you should use a shogun because the holes in the wall are easier to fix
Buck and Ball loads were sort of like shotguns and at close range, they were very lethal!
It was a preferred round for the .69 musket.
Absolutely, the use of the right weapon at the right time can make all the difference in the world. I love hunting with a 222 over a 20 gauge. Gives me a great advantageShotguns have been an important weapon for both the cavalry & infantry throughout the last few centuries.
These weapons remain important in 2021.
Please allow me to add some insight here. Shotgun patterns do not tend to spread very much at "home invasion" distance. This is part of what can make them so devastating, but it also overrules the "point and shoot" method for many people. Across a typically sized room, my 12-gauge loaded with anything would have a spread pattern that you could probably cover with a dessert plate. One can imagine the size hole this would leave in a wall (or a human torso) at that range. One can imagine a spread like that severing a limb or a head from a torso. But a nervous shooter could also easily miss the target by failing to aim the shot. A modern shotgun choke is patterned by firing at the center of a 30" circle drawn on a piece of paper. This shot is usually made at 30 or 40 yards. At this range the spread is much greater. The pellet holes within the circle, and the spaces between them, are carefully noted by the shooter who wants to be informed about his or her gun's performance with various loads. This process is repeated with multiple loads, targets, pellet sizes, and ranges until the optimal pattern density within the circle can be determined. Every gun, choke, and load will pattern a bit differently.I suspect that instructor was trying to be funny.
Most shotguns at close range will blow a massive hole into the walls ... (provided the shot doesn't doesn't knock down 1/3 of said wall).
A pistol or revolver will only produce only a relatively small "bullet hole".
I think it's great that people are taking formal training, (not only to meet the legal requirements for a concealed weapons permit)
but also to understand the basic fundamentals and tactical applications.
I wish more citizens would take such classes.
However, learning the basics of a shotgun ( even the hand held versions ) is easier than learning the dynamics of a pistol, revolver and rifles
But back to the topic.
Shotguns have been an important weapon for both the cavalry & infantry throughout the last few centuries.
These weapons remain important in 2021.
What the heck was that all about? 19th racist theory did not consider Irish members of the white race, anything is possible. Were the Itish, like prewar Japanese, near sighted?@KianGaf No expert here but I believe there is something to what you say. The Irish 9th. Massachusetts was armed with 69 caliber smoothbore muskets and only reluctantly changed to rifle muskets due to the ever more difficult issue of getting ammunition for them in the field, that's per their regimental history by MacNamara
The three New York regiments of the Irish Brigade were armed with smoothbore muskets throughout most of their existence if I am no greatly mistaken.
Another interesting little side light is the 37 New York, referred to as the Irish Rifles. No smoothbores there I would imagine.
There were thoughts along the line that the close range necessary for efficient use of the smoothbores was appropriate for Irish soldiers.
John
What the heck was that all about? 19th racist theory did not consider Irish members of the white race, anything is possible. Were the Itish, like prewar Japanese, near sighted?
A remarkable number of the British aristocracy believed that the famine was Godâs will. It was his way of winnowing out the population, reducing it to the size that the land could support. Whenever Godâs will & money are combined, you better lookout.Could be part of the propaganda by the British during the era that the Irish were a sub race. That kind of thinking helped cause the famine disaster or genocide as itâs classed in some circles.
Expecting a rational reason would be a flight of fancy.@Rhea Cole Well I have read that the theory was their impetuousnous, (my word, not theirs), in battle would get them close. Fredericksburg seems to bear this out, does it not? I believe the Scotts had a similar reputation in some military circles in that era. I wouldn't consider this racist myself, maybe others would. I have always thought it was intended as a compliment to their battlefield prowess, weather true or not would be a matter of opinion I suspect. If I'm not mistaken it was the leaders of the Irish Brigade who advocated for the Brigade being armed as they were.
John
Please allow me to add some insight here. Shotgun patterns do not tend to spread very much at "home invasion" distance. This is part of what can make them so devastating, but it also overrules the "point and shoot" method for many people. Across a typically sized room, my 12-gauge loaded with anything would have a spread pattern that you could probably cover with a dessert plate. One can imagine the size hole this would leave in a wall (or a human torso) at that range. One can imagine a spread like that severing a limb or a head from a torso. But a nervous shooter could also easily miss the target by failing to aim the shot.
Swedish troops were issued double-ball cartridges for use against charging cavalry. That's two full-sized musket balls, rather than a single ball and a trio of buckshot.