I like the use of the drums to lead in each set. Also, that’s dedication wearing that vest in that heat.

Excellent video Mike! I love your approach!

Buck and Ball was used during the Civil War as well as the Revolution! My own Great Great Grandfather, a Captain in the 64th Illinois Infantry, was wounded by Buck and Ball at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain on June 20th 1864.

Good information. I can imagine the looks of the members who aren't familiar with your channel or written work.

Mike, this is genuine historical research, and it explains why buck and ball stayed in use for so long. This should be required viewing when studying the Revolutionary War. Well done!  Thank you!

For a good reference on the effectiveness of buck and ball try to find something written by a member of the Pennsylvania volunteer regiment that faced Picketts charge at Gettysburg these troops were still armed with Flint lock muskets from the Pennsylvania State armory firing buck and ball, and they managed to decimate Picketts line!

Excellent video! Our forefather knew what they were doing. The more holes poked throughout the bag the faster blood pressure drops.

All my respect to Your efforts bringing us so many interesting, technical and historical information.
Thanks a lot for sharing.

I gotta get a flint lock one of these days. :)

From your little experiment, it seems like if you're not going to use musket balls that a straight buckshot load might be more effective than buck and ball when you're over 25 yards, although when you get out 100, in my mind, I'd have to question the effectiveness of buckshot, especially against a thick woolen uniform and much over that distance is just a wish and a prayer.

At the battle of Cowpens, The Continentals fired a volley  into the British at about 10 yards range.  The British had thought they were chasing a retreating enemy and were coming on "like a mob" as one American put it.  The devastating volley completed the disorganization of the British formation, which was followed by a successful American bayonet charge.  Your results at 25 yards were pretty decisive.  At ten yards the results would have been devastating.  at close range the large balls would have probably gone through the first man and injured or killed another.

Thanks for dealing with the heat and humidity to produce a great video.  I am a fan of Buck and Ball and think it is an asset to people that may not be the best riflemen.  There were a lot of scared young men during these battles and their aim may not have always been on point.  Also, it's easy to imagine a wall of lead being thrown at a formation of men that were relatively close together.  
YouTube needs to realize that this is HISTORY and different than modern gun channels.  Great job Mike.  Best wishes.

Very informative. I always thought Buck and ball was ridiculous but now I see how effective it was. Definitely clicking thumbs up! Thanks Mike

Youtube doesnt understand the concept that most firearm use is safer than their drive to work every morning

Hey, Don't stop.
What ever you do...
Mark from Oahu said that!
Them gosh darn red coats
Will stop com'in

5:25 AND THIS requirement STILL MASSIVELY handicaps British recruiting TO THIS VERY DAY....

Hey Mike!  I have read of the Prussians firing at Company unit sized lengths of cloth so that they could see how many musket balls from their volleys actually were effective and how many were "fly aways"... either into the ground or into the air!  I understand, that later, man sized outlines were painted on the sheets to account for the space between individuals.  Interesting experiment and thanks for conducting it!

This reminds us just how grisly that type of warfare really was.

Excellent observations! Not a great ammunition for individuals shooting at point targets, but for heavy infantry tactics and rapid volleys it would be devastating

In the early engagements of our Civil War, some militia units showed up dressed in uniforms not unlike yours, with smooth bore flintlock muskets. Many other militias had percussion smoothbores from the Mexican War era. So, buck and ball loads saw combat again, because the same problem presented itself again of each side firing blindly through its own cloud bank of smoke into the enemy’s cloud bank. During the first volley of the engagement, when the air was clear, I suspect most of the men on line were aiming at the center of the opposing line, whether by doctrine to split the line or just to ensure a hit.

Thanks Mike. Clears up a lot of speculation and answered many questions. Kudos for sticking this out in adverse heat and humidity! Much Respect. Rowan.