picket vs slug rifle

[MikeR]

Try a Google image search for picket bullets. They are a conical bullet with no cylindrical body to align the bullet with the bore. Often patched with a cloth patch much like a round ball muzzle loader rifle. Also used in cap and ball revolvers with out a patch. The trick is to get the rifle loaded with the point of the bullet centered with the bore so the bullet will exit the muzzle straight so the gasses don't upset the bullets flight.