- Joined
- Nov 10, 2006
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Had the fowler I'm offering for sale out with some youngsters today, and was easily persuaded to do some shooting. After exhausting a stack of clays, I went into the barn to get some more and found some archery targets. Seemed like a perfect opportunity to pattern the gun, since I usually don't use the gun for anything but trap or pheasant hunting.
The 40 yard pattern pictured was achieved using my standard load of 3 drams of FFG powder (82 grains) and 1 1/4 ounces of #6 lead shot with 4 overshot cards on top of the powder and 2 overshot cards on top of the shot. I punch holes in the cards with an awl at 12 o'clock. In loading I arrange the holes at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock on top of the powder. I arrange the 2 cards on top of the shot with the holes at 12 and 6 o'clock. I use mink oil to lubricate the outside edges of the cards.
Having called this a forty yard pattern, I should mention that I was standing forty yards from the target, but since the fowler has a 41/2" full jug choked barrel, the muzzle was something less than 39 yards from the target.
I sort of lifted the muzzle slightly when I fired, which resulted in 59 pellets hitting high in the red 9 3/8 diameter circle, with only 16 pellets in the yellow 4 5/8 diameter circle. If the yellow rings were expanded by 3/8ths, I would have had 19 pellets in a 5" circle at 39 yards.
I don't know if this makes for a passable turkey load, but it proved to be much quicker than shooting arrows, and performs better than my bow on flying clays too. :rotf:
I noticed after firing the pattern that I had a chipped frizzen. I would have liked to fire another pattern with a more steady hold, but am reluctant to shoot it again until I replace the frizzen.
While the gun is for sale on this forum, the loading data and technique are free. I'm sure anyone capable of holding more steadily than I did is capable of concentrating more of those high pellets in the yellow rings.
