28 gauge wad improves patterns

Around a year ago I asked on the forum if a 28 gauge plastic wad would fit in a .54 smoothie. I recently found out that a 28 gauge wad fits nice and snug in my traditions blunderbuss. I loaded it up with an equal volume of #6 shot and 777 3f. The wad holds between 50-55 grains of shot, best to use the wad itself as a volumetric measure. Felt wad over powder and over shot yielded a pattern much more impressive at 25 yards than my typical hunting load (80 grains of shot, 60 grains of 3f 777). I also didn't really have an issue with plastic in the bore, but it was only one shell.
25 yards I got 18 pellets in the "kill zone" and 48 total on card board, the best pattern I've ever gotten. I have ordered more wads for further tests(I only had one)

Great results. Especially for that range.

ppg1949 said:

Great results. Especially for that range.

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I agree. I want to do a few more tests to see if I can get even better results by dropping the powder charge, and what would happen if I fill above the wad to have heavier loads

JJohnson2023 said:

I agree. I want to do a few more tests to see if I can get even better results by dropping the powder charge, and what would happen if I fill above the wad to have heavier loads

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I think you’ll be pleased by doing both of those things, especially the heavier shot load.

TDM said:

I think you’ll be pleased by doing both of those things, especially the heavier shot load.

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Ya your using more powder than shot which is not good try something like 50 grns powder and 60 grains of shot .

WALT53 said:

Ya your using more powder than shot which is not good try something like 50 grns powder and 60 grains of shot .

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For this test I used an equal volume of each, but because 777 is hotter (especially 3f) I think I need to back down the powder load.

JJohnson2023 said:

For this test I used an equal volume of each, but because 777 is hotter (especially 3f) I think I need to back down the powder load.

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I found 777 to be quit a bit hotter than equal volume of 2 f and 3 f so if you are useing equal volumes I’d try about 10/ 20 grains less of 777 .At least to start with and go from there darn that means more shooting.

WALT53 said:

I found 777 to be quit a bit hotter than equal volume of 2 f and 3 f so if you are useing equal volumes I’d try about 10/ 20 grains less of 777 .At least to start with and go from there darn that means more shooting.

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finneeeee I guess I'll run a bunch more tests with all the different possible powder loads. lol