Author Topic: Any Other Traditional Muzzleloading Shotgunners? (Read 2088 times)

Dan Chamberlain · « **on:** January 26, 2003, 05:14:50 AM »

Recently I was bitten by the muzzleloading shotgun bug. I bought a Pedersoli double from Cabela's and was immediately struck by it's workmanship. It's a 12ga and after outfitting myself with all the necessary accoutrements, I went to shooting. I didn't get much time in the field with it, but my tally was 5 doves (not uch activity), one pigeon, one rabbit and a dozen or so squirrels over the course of half a dozen outings.

This gun has screw-in chokes and the left hand barrel threw a great pattern with the full choke bore, centered right where it needed to go. The other choke, which was modified, threw a pattern that was a little low and a tad right. I unscrewed the choke a quarter turn and the pattern moved toward the center, so I know it's the choke tube boring and not the barrel. I purchased another full choke tube and now both patterns are acceptable as far as centering. Working loads is interesting. Currently, I use 80 Grains FFg over one and a quarter oz of shot. I cut the fiber wads in half!

I'm very interested in trying this gun on Turkey and Geese. Anyone else use these double guns?

Dan C

fredj · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2003, 08:39:57 AM »

Dan- I have been shooting an old English 10 ga. double, but recently decided to invest in a modern manufacture percussion double I found one on another site like this, made the deal and the UPS man will likely bring my new toy tommorow. My knowledge on thiis subject is limited in the extreme, but I found these URL's recently and found them very informative and interesting, and learned a great deal. It seems BP shotgun is sort of the proverbial red headed step child of BP shooting
which is a shame as it's likely far and away the most practical type of BP shooting for putting food in the pot.
Regards fredj

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/shotgun.html
http://members.aye.net/~bspen/aimwell.html
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/TechInfo/blackpowder/BlackPowder.htm
http://ninety-eight.net/ibha/shotguns.htm#top
http://www.cap-n-ball.com/shotgun.htm

Buckshotliam · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2003, 09:33:41 AM »

I've been shooting muzzleloading shotguns for a number of years now and enjoy the heck out of it. My reasons are hard to put into words, part of it is I'm a history buff (biggest interest in the settlement of the northern plains) and also my maturing. When I was younger I was driven to harvest as much game as possible. I traveled to 3 states and 2 provinces to kill waterfowl. As I aged I found a lot more satisfaction in a slower less frantic kind of hunting. A muzzleloader seems to fit my style now. It requires a slower steady hand and skill. Don't get me wrong though about the effectiveness of a muzzleloader. I believe that with the proper gun, load development and patterning a muzzleloader can be ballistally equal to all bright and shiney newest shotgunning devopments. I currently have a Navy 12 dbl., a CVA half stock single 12, and a TC side hammer 12. When my $$$ changes I'm dying for a Pedersoli 10 from Cabela's.
Thanks for the links, good stuff there.
I've probably made about all the mistakes so if I could help I'd be happy to help as I can..

Buckshot Liam

bubba · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2003, 12:10:01 PM »

I have a T/C new englander single barrel 12 guage. the serial number is 000125. I have had it for years. It is a great gun. I have shot grouse with it and have turkey hunted with it with no success. Not because of the gun but because I did not see a turkey. I have also won quite a few trophiws shooting trap with it at shoots. Nothing like it as far as I am concerned. When small game is talked about, that is the gun I plan to take with me.

KING · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2003, 01:28:18 PM »

Doubles are a grin to shoot. Ive had several over the years and really enjoy shooting them. I have taken plenty of ducks and a couple of geese with by side by side. Lotsa woodcock and other game. The only thing I have not ever taken with it in this area is a grouse. I also found that mine really likes a .715 RB,and shoots with both bbls within two inches of each other from 25 to 75 yards,but 6 inches low. Never hunted big game with it,only small game,but it is nice to know what the big rb will do in it if ya hafta use it. Fer shotgunning I use 100 of 2f,and an over powder wad(or hornets nesting) a fiber wad,1 1/4 oz of shot,and an over shot wad or more hornet nest...Shoots pretty close to a tight mod. patttern out to 30 yrds. King

Stuffy25thIA · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2003, 02:14:31 PM »

I have a Navy Arms T&T double that I bird hunt with, and a Belgium made .410 double barrel muzzleloader that I like to use rabbit and squirrel hunting.

u.p.longhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2003, 03:07:08 PM »

Just got a cva "trapper" in the mail the other day from dixie gun works! It'll be my first time shoot'n a ml shotgun but plan on taking it our for the gobblers this spring.currently waiting for the wads,cards,volumetric shot measure etc. to get here so i can shoot her

OH yea and some WARMER weather.brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

River runner · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2003, 04:51:35 PM »

I've got the TC Double, I've had it for about 10 years, also got bit by the bug. I've used it for dove and quail and had pretty good luck with it. Both barrels are cylinder, yet it prints a pretty decent pattern out to 25 yards with both barrels,as I work over my yellow Lab and she ranges fairly close, it doesn't present a problem. I guess with age, comes a mellowness, that dictates a slower method of doing things, that's why I now hunt with the old muzzle loaders or bow, even though I have some high quality shotguns, Brownings and Berretta's in my gun vault. Just seems to make for a better quality hunt. Wish i had discovered it 40 years ago, but then I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as much. RR:)

Smokepole · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2003, 06:52:44 AM »

Dan,
I have been using muzzle loading shotguns for about 10 years. Current inventory includes a Navy Arms T&T 12 ga SXS, an ASM 12 ga O/U percussion, a Beretta 12ga O/U and my latest purchase was a Northwest Trade gun 16 ga flintlock. At this time, I can not remember the last time I shot a modern shotgun. I use the muzzies for trap, skeet, sporting clays, upland game, waterfowl, and deer hunting. As a matter of fact I am looking at purchasing a Christian Springs 54 cal flinter for next years deer season.[/code]

River runner · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2003, 02:36:20 PM »

Just checked my percussion double, It's a Navy Arms "Fowler", not a TC, my single shot is a TC New England Single Shot. That's the trouble when you have so many guns hard to keep 'em straight, wish I had more trouble like that. Anyway I've done a lot of small game hunting with both, and really enjoy the ease of cleaning a smooth bore. RR

hans g./UpS · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2003, 04:19:01 AM »

Going to try out the smoothbore barrel on TC New Englander shortly. Managed to pick up both a tubed and a plain barrel.Not sure what loads I'll use for grouse/rabbits?If the black flies aren't too bad this spring,possibly might try it out for turkey.
May also try a smoothbore[1756 pattern]flintlock pistol for grouse/rabbit.
I wouldn't mind finding a lefthanded smoothbore flinter-preferably short tubed like a canoe gun[20"-24" 20ga or 12ga].

RJ · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2003, 02:44:25 AM »

Kit I built in the early 80's shoots as well as my belgin A5. still better than me.

Hoyt · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2003, 10:42:46 AM »

I got a T/C Black Mountain Mag. 12ga. side lock a couple wks ago and have just now got a load and shot-wad column that I believe will work for gobblers this spring.
As of now...(may change after trying some felt wads and nickle plated shot I got ordered)...it's 95grs. ffg, one 1/2" fiber wad over pwdr, 1-1/2oz of 4, 6 duplex with 3 x as many 6's mix and BPI .030 overshot card. This load was good to 40yds.

Smokepole · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2003, 01:40:50 AM »

Hoyt,
This is not the correct thread for this but, if you were to try using an overshot card on top of the Â½" wad you could add some buffer to tighten the load even further. Slide the over shot card in far enough to leave the shot column just below the top of the barrel. Add your shot, then you add the buffer material ( I've used corn meal muffin mix), tap the barrel to get the buffer to filter into the shot. You should see the shot rise to the top. Add the final over shot card and push the whole column into place. It tightens my pattern even more.

Sincerely,
Smokepole

Hoyt · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2003, 12:06:52 PM »

Thanks Smokepole..I'll give the extra overshot card a try..I feel pretty confident in the pattern I got now..compared to what I was gettin..but could stand improvement.

xnmr53 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2003, 06:02:36 AM »

I lucked into a Beretta Tri-Centennial that I am learning to shoot. I have a lot of experience with rifle and pistol, both fllint and percussion, but this is my first shotgun, so I will be posting for more advice now and then.

At this time, I am gathering all the tools and logistical gear for shooting. A small shot pouch with an Irish head came with the gun, and some shot, and I already have other items like cappers, powder measure and flasks, etc.

Right now, my problem is the ramrod. It is the skinniest thing that I've ever seen, and has no provision for a jag, worm, ect. It is a hickory rod, 6mm in diameter, beveled on one end, with a tulip-shaped brass head cross-pinned on the other. I have already determined that a 1/4 rod will fit the pipes.

Is there a source where I can get the rod material and fittings for a 1/4 inch ramrod? I'd like to make one with the tulip head on one end, and brass fitting on the other that would accept 8-32 threaded tools. I've thought about just getting the proper length of brass rod, but that gets rather heavy. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

Smokepole · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2003, 01:30:27 AM »

xnmr53,
Two places you can find this information. Track of the Wolf, www.trackofthewolf.com and Dixie Gun Works, www.dixiegun.com both of this places have just about anything you could ever want in black powder shooting supplies. (As well as guns).

I also own the Beretta o/u. I use it for sheet/sporting clays and as a field gun. great shooter.

Sincerely,
AJ

xnmr53 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2003, 04:19:23 PM »

Smokepole,

Thanks for the tip. Dixie has a 1/4" fiberglass rod. Sadly, I can't find any 1/4" ferrules.

What I am considering is to buy a length of 1/4" brass rod, have one end drilled and tapped for 8-32, and make a button for the other end out of hardwood. Considering that all the strenuous work will be done by jags in the threaded end, I think that it will work, and it should look sharp if I keep the brass shined up. Of course a blued or browned steel ramrod would also look good, but I would have to use a bore protector, which is just one more thing to pack.

Any thoughts?

daddywpb · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2003, 12:56:49 AM »

I guess it's not really traditional, but I got a Knight TK200 12 gauge about a month ago. It patterns great out to 30 yards, and I've been turkey hunting with it. Haven't seen a bird yet, but I guess I can't blame that on the shotgun! I'm looking forward to changing choke tubes and using it for doves this coming October.

kevin · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2003, 01:34:13 AM »

hi xnmr53, if it were up to me i'd opt for the brass rod , the weight my seem like a bunch of weight but afrter a while the weight will just seem to disapear, onther thing to consider is a brass rod will never brake on you , i got two very deep and real personal scares on my hands that remind me of what hickory can and will do to soft flesh, besides how many other people do you know who have brass rods ha ha ,and as far as the over and under berreta I AM JELOUS, i've been serching for years for one evry time one comes up i never seem to have the money, i got two sid by sides ,both navy arms , a traditions single shot, and 4 smoothbores the smoth bores are .50 cal smooth , .54 smooth .75 bess,and last but not least a 28 ga tulle de chase cheifs grade, , the rest is 12 ga , and i am considering going over to com-n-choke accross the geogia statse line and getting one of my side by side yurkey choked. athat sould be fun.
kevin