I've shot lots of "trade gun " matches here in Michigan with a flintlock muzzleloader , round ball, no rear sight. We shoot at metal clangers - different shape items. Most guys usually shot good out to maybe 75 or 80 yards - some targets at 100 - most at or under 50. With rear sights one year we used them in rifle matches and did real good out to 80 yards. My gun would shoot 12" low at 50 yards, so I put two really small headed tacks 2/3 of the way back from the muzzle on each side of the barrel where the forearm wood met the barrel. This way there was no rear sight above the plane of the barrel. I placed them from trail and error where I could hold my head high enough to see them and hit the bulls eye. Never told anyone about those little brass tacks and use to hit about every target. Problem was I couldn't throw a knife and hawk worth a damn so I still wouldn't win over all. The round ball is good I think out to about 50 yards for a killing shot. The last dear I shot was with my homemade matchlock [ .715 RB ] was about 20yds and it dropped in it's tracks. I've got some .695 RB's, maybe I'll try to work up a load for my Parker 12s. I think 65grs of 3F would work just fine.
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Paul Harm
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