after all the reading i have done on Google i was skeptical on trying a round ball load with my 45-70 buffalo classic. i heard that the accuracy would be good to 50 yards but dropping off quickly after that. well being the guy I am i thought i would try it regardless. my load was a federal 210 primer, 7 gn of unique, a tuft of cotton to hold powder on top of the primer, fill the case with C.O.W. leaving just enough room to insert a cast at .458 round ball. ( about 12 Bnl ) i pushed the round ball in flush with the top of the case. no lube at all on the round ball.
first 2 shots at 50 y were dead center and 2" high. I was impressed. the next which i only had one more loaded cartridge i thought i would just try at a 4x4 target I had set up at 100y. i had a marker at dead center which I aimed for thinking that hopefully i would at least hit paper somewhere traceable. however to my surprise i was dead nutz center and 1" low from where my typical hunting rounds go.
Now I know that its only one shot. possibly the next will be 2 houses over. I dont know. can some of you experts fill in the blanks please? did I just get lucky or is this something I can expect and should pursue further. and if to go farther then what should some of my expectations be and what are some of your results with a round ball load.