Are Multiple Projectiles a load of Old Balls or an Obsession?

 A few weeks back I asked if anyone out there has experience loading-shooting 'Duplex' Loads' in muzzleloaders.. Well I got the usual response ..

Question: Does anyone have any clues about double-balling loads in blackpowder shooting? - This is what I understand as a 'Duplex Load'. Two round balls would weigh similarly to a 'conical' bullet and provided they both are solidly seated on the propellent charge no issues.

In NZ this might be regarded as 'unlawful' ?

- My research suggests this is known throughout history as useful at medium-close ranges. Thompson Centre Arms used to list double ball loads in their paperwork ..

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/double-balling.43584/

It seems - however unlikely - that I know MORE about throwing two balls down-range - than the rest of 5 Million Kiwis - well, at least I have done it in the past and written stories about accurately throwing multiple holes into cardboard targets. I must be odd or perhaps obsessive.

Over years past I have loaded twin pills into brass cartridges for my Glock G20 10mm Auto - my beautiful Ruger SP101 327 Federal Magnum revolver - and my oversized & heavy 6 inch GP Ruger 357 Magnum revolver.

THROWING TWINS

- The Antiques are there as 'props'

A 10mm Auto Duplex

What goes into a 327 Federal Magnum Duplex Cartridge:

The key feature with 'modern' guns is to select a cartridge that is LONG ENOUGH to accept two (or three) projectiles in tandem - and pistols that are strong enough not to fall apart.

The 'bullets' don't have to be the same weight, shape or length .. in the Glock I used two truncated cones loaded 'base-to base', in the 357, one cast bullet plus a lead ball - and in the 327 Fed. I used a jacketed round-nose with a lead ball against the powder.

NATURALLY ! - you start with a reduced powder charge to suite the heavy projectile mass and check for pressure signs on the brass and that both pills have cleared the barrel and arrived on target down range. (Note: Don't use a "Desert Eagle" as these are observed to fall apart all by themselves - I've never owned one)

In American lore - There is mention of "I had put four bullets into my arquebus .. and with this shot two chiefs fell to the ground dead and a third wounded died later" when civilizing a party of Iroquois natives in 1609.

- the firearm used was a shoulder fired Matchlock: Guns On The Early Frontiers- Carl P Russell

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https://flicense.blogspot.com/2018/10/first-ever-recorded-firearm.html

In Scotland, 1570 - "James Hamilton was called "of Woodhouslee" and "of Woodhouslee alias Bothwellhaugh" in the record.
 He was said to have shot Regent Moray twice in the belly and navel on 23 January 1570, with a gun loaded with two lead balls. - By his flight to France he had taken responsibility for the treason and murder."

We need to note the difference between multiple bullets of correct bore size, - from "Shot Loads" that are multiple sub-caliber projectiles for a "scatter gun".

Note: NZ Police have Banned Duplex Cartridges in the last round of amendments.

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Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER'?

not many

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Marty K.