I dont have muzzle loader but I might get one soon ! I finished reading Samuel Hearns trip to the Coppermine river from Hudson Bay Churchill post . They burned a lot of powder ! Anyone here know if they only used smooth bores ? They carried lots of shot and balls too ? Would they have used some fowling pieces too or just used the trade guns ? It is a great book 1773

Not familiar with that story, but I would speculate that due to the location, they probably used a lot of smoothbore trade guns with both shot and ball. They were by far the most popular and famous firearm in that area.

Typically, the Hudson Bay company Northwest Trade Gun. As I said, just speculation on my part.

In Canada these were the go to gun during those fur trade days for redman and whiteman alike. Probably the most and longest used firearm in north American. From Rio Grande to Artic circle. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on these guns as the ones they were using. Naturally there were other firearms available, and they were used (military guns for instance) but these were the most common.

http://thefurtrapper.com/home/indian-trade-guns/

Yes, for the time and location you cant go wrong with a North West Trade Gun.

Thanks for the replies . How would you get unfired shot from the trade gun if you needed to use a ball ?

Either shoot it, or use a steel worm and worm it out. Isn’t difficult at all. I’ve even used my ball puller to pull felt wad and shot kinda rolls out. Use the Worm to out old powder charge.

Pull the over shot card with a worm and pour the shot into a solo cup.

You can see by my question that I am clueless as to the muzzle loaders ! Thanks for the help

A lot of information that may interest you here:

http://traditionalmuzzleloader.com/

I am probably going to get some type of smooth bore or maybe a fowling piece either way it will be a flintlock .I am left handed and that will cause me to make some changes (glasses ) Thank you for your help.

I have been firing a flintlock for close to 55 years and never did get used to the "flash in the pan"!
can't imagine shooting a right handed flinter lefthanded.
just flashed in my minds eye when I read your post.
you go ahead and get a smoothbore. a rifle will soon follow it home. then another etc etc
blackpowder is a most addictive substance. and the look and feel of a long rifle has no equal. addicted.

I better check on LH flintlocks .Thank You

The Chief's Grade Trade Guns were originally available in left hand. These are patterned after an English fowler. As far as I know it was the only left hand option available at the time. Mine is right hand and I like it very much.

PDS how much shot do you use in yours?

I think I would only get a LH flint or nothing .Thanks for your help DS and PDS

1 & 1/8 ounce mostly. But I have loaded 1 & 1/4. But it's best to check patterns, 7/8 ounce or 1 ounce may pattern best.
I also tend to shoot smaller size shot than most. #9 for clays and birds, 7 1/2 or 6 for turkey.