loading LeMat shot gun barrel

[Flyboy73]

I just picked up a Pietta Lemat at a gun show. I am little fuzzy on how to load the shotgun barrel. The manual say to use 25-35 grains of FFG and .27 cal. grapshot ball 3/4 to 1 ounce.

I could not find any .27 cal ball, so would 00 buckshot of .32 (.310) round balls work.

Also manual was unclear about over powder and over shot cards. In the regular shotgun section it mentions about cork wads. I lookd through the midway web site and they have cork filler cards in 1/8 and 1/4.

I have never loaded black powder shotgun, so i am looking for some inupt.

What is the best wads and shot loadsto use in the barrel.


Brion

 

[only1asterisk]

What you are looking for is #2 buckshot (.27").

David

 

[mainmech48]

For safety, the weight of the shot charge is more important than the size of the shot. IIWY, I'd stick with the lower 3/4 oz. as closely as possible at first and also use the lighter powder charge. The Dixie Gun Works catalog has a treasure trove of muzzle loading information, and includes pictures and instructions for assembling and developing shot loads. Components such as card, cushion, and filler wads are described and their functions explained. Most are readily available from them, as well as from other sources.

Work your load up gradually and systematically within the manufacturer's specified limits, and enjoy!

 

[robert garner]

Brass Tacks!
Seriously ya need pics and please keep us informed!
robert

 

[floridaboy]

Please keep us informed on the Lemat. I've often thought about getting one and will be very interested as to how well it shoots, both the pistol and shotgun barrels. Seems like it could be an awesome house/truck gun.

 

[mec]

The two I've used have been highly functional and accurate in the revolver mode. The shot barrel presented difficulties in that the hammer fall is short and oblique and it was necessary to stone the caps for reliable ignition. I don't necessarily recommend the loads that I used for the shot barrel as they were way beyond the two manufacturers recommendations I got (one from Dixie Gunworks and the other from Pietta.) the recommended 25 -30 grains with 3/4 to one ounce would barrely discharge shot from the barrel.

removal of the lock work is initially quite difficult on both my examples as the side plate spanner nut was apparently put on with an impact wrench. The hammer screw will not move until it is removed. I had to make a split spanner screwdriver head to get it off.
For a thorough discussion see this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Percussion-Pi...0497739?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1172957346&sr=8-1

 

[Tommygunn]

Mec- thank you for the Amazon link. 1 copy of that interesting looking book is en route to me now!

 

[Rachen]

What model of the LeMat do you have?

Here's a little guide:
Spur trigger guard, spur hammer switch, lever barrel release: CAVALRY
Round trigger guard, lever hammer switch, knob barrel release: NAVY
Round trigger guard, spur hammer switch, knob barrel release: ARMY

I load the grapeshot barrel of my Navy model with 55-60 grains of Pyrodex RS or Goex 2F and a charge of about 1-1.5 ounces of OO Buckshot. The second barrel performs quite well in both mechanical and historical standards. For reliable ignition, I would not recommend CCI or Remmie caps, but instead, use the Vorderlader Zundhutchen No. 11 caps manufactured in Germany and sold at Dixie Gun Works for a very reasonable price. They are charged with a priming mix called Sintox, created in about 1880 and is more sensitive and reliable, escpecially for the second barrel in which the hammer throw is only about 1 inch, despite the heavy mainspring.
To keep the shot from rolling about loose from the concussions of firing the upper barrel, use a double packing of over-powder and overshot wad, preferable lubed in something like Vaseline or bore butter. Ram it fully to ensure no airspace exists between any buffer, propellant or shot.
The LeMats have a bowl-shaped breechplug at the end of the barrel, Dixie offers something called the breechplug brush for thorough cleaning, item number BH1023 on their catalog. Use the brush attachment with the ramrod of an in-line muzzleloader and you have the ultimate cleaning tool for that breechplug. For the barrel, Dixie also carry a 20 gauge shotgun bore cleaner.

PS, FLORIDABOY, if you are thinking of getting a LeMat, get the Navy model. It is more rugged due to the knob barrel release, different from the lever that would not flip down when the weapon fires. Go to the Dixie Gun Works website, find the LeMat Navy, and read the comments about it. My comments (name: Raymond Chen), Mec's and others are all on it. Just be sure though, nobody gave the weapon a rating lower than a 4-star. Many people are impressed. Accuracy wise: It is reasonably accurate for 25 yard to 50 yard shooting, and even though some people talk about not getting used to the grip angle, I found it very comfortable to hold and take aim, the sights are very good, and like I said earlier in this post, for the utmost reliable ignition, use the German percussion caps that Dixie sells.

 

[mec]

Excellent Post! Rachen really knows his Lemat's. I didn't know about the percussion caps you mentioned. I had guessed that the original fulminate caps might have been significantly more sensitive than the stipenate caps from CCI or remington.

Not only does the Cavalry latch tend to bounce down under recoil but the loading lever tends to bounce upward flinging the shot barrel ramrod out into the weeds. Frequent tightening of the rammer helps and wedging the ramrod into the loading lever can keep it from getting lost. The rod needs to be in there during loading to prevent bending the lever.

Rachen's load is about what I used- mine was 60 gr/vol equivalent of Pyrodex P and slighly less shot. I used 6 or 7 31 caliber balls and found that they would stay on a b 27 silhouette at 20 feet . The central shot would penetrate a soft one inch pine board while the periperals would bounce off. Number 8 shot patterns close enough for small game at 40 feet and will penetrate about 3/8" of pine.
This load was safe in my revolvers but is so far above the printed recommendations that I consider it a " use at your own risk."

 

[Flyboy73]

I am not framiler with loading shot gun loads. What type of wad is the best. Would a fiber or cork wad work for both over load and over powder?

Brion

 

[mec]

Probably makes little difference as long as its tight enough for good ignition. I uses wadded newspaper. I doubt that getting scientific about the wad col umn is going to produce any great difference in groups.

 

[Flyboy73]

I went to Gander MT, and picked up some 44 cal balls for the gun. I got the only 44 cal they had in .451 diam. I then looked at the manual and it says to use .454 diam. ball.

Will the .451 balls work?


Brion

 

[mec]

Pietta chambers (and euroarms) are a bit tighter than Uberti or original guns. The 451s are just right for the LeMat though .454s will work too.

 

[mainmech48]

The thing to look for is that a thin ring of lead is sheared off of the ball as it's seated. This indicates a slight 'interference' fit which is what you want for best sealing and accuracy. If the 0.451" balls show this ring, you're good-to-go. If not, then 0.454" should be used.

Most Piettas are okay with a 0.451". My own Colt 1860 and Remington 1858 replicas are fine with them and that's what I generally use when I have both on hand.. My Ubertis need 0.454". For the sake of simplicity, I now buy mostly 0.454s because they'll work in both. It takes a bit more effort to seat them in the smaller chambers, but not enough to be a real problem. Accuracy is pretty much a toss-up given the same charges in my own revolvers.