12 or 20?

[Swampman]

I can't make up my mind between the Chamber's New England Colonial Milita/Fowler and the Chamber's PA Fowler. I'll already have the North Star West Officer's Musket which is .650 actual bore size. I really have a hankerin' for the big bore but the 20 would be lighter to carry and the ammo weighs less.

 

[No Deer]

Sounds to me like you want the 12. You won't be happy if you get the 20, you would just end up eventually getting the 12, not that that would be a bad thing :rotf:

 

[Flint50]

Have a 12 myself, and the difference in ammo weight is negligable. Besides-you get more "bang for the buck" with a 12. Good luck-Flint50

 

[ffffg]

i have the chambers mark silver/virginia with a 16 guage barrel swamped smoothbore.. special order with getz barrel, 10-15 years old- weighs in at 8 1/2 pounds with a high grade walnut stock.. if getz will do the barrel ,be in for a healthy wait, but its well worth it.. shot gun- 72 grains 2f 1 1/4 ouz shot paterns fine, and does in ducks, pheasant and clays.. 400 grain round ball and 72 grains 2fg works very well for me, 1000 fps muzzel vel.... the 16 guage has been forgotten, its the best compromise between round ball and shot gun in my way of thinking..8 1/2 pounds is not light, but for follow thru, hold and etc its right on- between power, carry wieght and managability.. dave..

 

[charcloth]

Hey Swampman,

You might consider a 28 ga. I use it for plinkin, fowling and deer hunting and I have nothing to want for. .530 ball 10 thousanths patch and 70 grains of FFF. Does exceptioanally well with shot and roundball!
Charcloth

 

[Choctaw]

I carry a twenty and love it. But...

I really have a hankerin' for the big bore

...there is your answer. :thumbsup:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Get Both! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Kevin M]

Reading the posts and wondering if I should be getting a 12 or a 20. I have a smoothbore on order and they have not begun building it. I will be hunting both turkey and pheasant. I don't think I will be using it on Deer or elk though. Do you think a 20 gauge is enough? I have only shot modern 12 and 20 gauge. I assume you can load the black powder gun with a little heavier load because you have more room for powder. Please let me know if this is not correct.

 

[musketman]

I assume you can load the black powder gun with a little heavier load because you have more room for powder. Please let me know if this is not correct.

Yes, you can load heavier loads, but remember to not OVER-LOAD it, even black powder arms have upper limits...

You will have more flexability with black powder guns, you can go with more shot than powder to get a denser pattern, or buck and ball loads, single round ball, even slugs can be shot out of the smoothbore...

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I don't think I will be using it on Deer or elk though. Do you think a 20 gauge is enough?

There have been many a black bear killed with a round ball in a 20 ga. smooth gun.

 

[Musketeer]

I can't make up my mind between the Chamber's New England Colonial Milita/Fowler and the Chamber's PA Fowler. I'll already have the North Star West Officer's Musket which is .650 actual bore size. I really have a hankerin' for the big bore but the 20 would be lighter to carry and the ammo weighs less.

I used to use a 20 ga. fowler made up from a TOTW kit. It was a beautiful, handy little gun, and it served my needs pretty well; however, there were odd times when I wished I could stuff just a little more shot in it in order to get a wee extra bit of range. The great thing about a 12 ga. is that you can load it "down" for smaller game and "up" for larger stuff or slightly longer ranges. IMHO, the 12 is a bit more versatile. Just something to consider. :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I know several guys who put as much powder and shot in their 20's as I do my 12. Heck, Roundball puts as much in his .56 (28 bore +/-) as I do my 12. :haha: The downside is that the shot column is long and stretches, making wing shooting more difficult. For stationary turkeys it won't matter.

 

[Bill41]

I built one of the Chambers New England Fowlers 12 Ga, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I chose the 12 mainly because most people have the 20s and I wanted to be different. It's no heavier than any of the 20s either. I have carried mine several miles with a full powder horn, shooting bag and shot snake.

 

[rich pierce]

I'd prefer 20 ga when shooting round ball- manageable recoil and amount of lead used when you cast balls compared to 12 ga. A 20 ga round ball would take anything on the continent.

12 ga is potentially better for turkey or pheasant but most of the time a 20 can be loaded fine for most game at open cylinder ranges.

20 is more versatile in my opinion.

 

[Runner]

I load my 12 with 60/80 loads for squirrels and doves. I use a 90/120 load for turkeys. I killed my bird this spring at 40 steps. A 20 would be ok, but the 12 is my choice.

 

[Kevin M]

The only reason I say I won't be shooting deer and elk is I have a .62 rifle for them. I need the accuracy. The elk I usually see are at the far end of my 125 yd limit. Saying that I have to mention that guys in my club can whip me with their smoothbores out to 75yds. I still can't make up my mind on a 12 or a 20. I will probablly be doing more turkey/rabbit hunting than pheasant. Hmmmm decisions decisions.

 

[riarcher]

Quite simply;
The 12 offers much more versatility. You can always download to a 20, but can you upload a 20 to a 12? No way! Case closed.

 

[hawk]

If you hunt you should match your gun to game.
too much gun, too much damaged meat.
Not enough gun no meat! :hatsoff:

 

[Stumpkiller]

. . . but can you upload a 20 to a 12? No way!

Why not? There's no set chamber length or throat in a muzzleloader. I use the same measure for a 16 that I do my 12. 1-1/8oz shot and 80 gr FFg powder. You can put that in a 20.

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

I can't make up my mind between the Chamber's New England Colonial Milita/Fowler and the Chamber's PA Fowler. I'll already have the North Star West Officer's Musket which is .650 actual bore size. I really have a hankerin' for the big bore but the 20 would be lighter to carry and the ammo weighs less.

Since you have a .650 bore gun, you basically have a 16gauge gun, which is sort of the compromise size between 12 and 20. It sounds like you're wanting the 12 bore, but want a few confirmations so you won't regret it later. I seriously doubt that you would regret choing either gun. Since you do already have a "16 bore", a 28 bore would be probably be a lot more useful gun for you.

The issue about ammunition weight is not a real consideration unless you're going primitive for weeks at a time with no communication. You don't say what game you are intending on hunting with this new gun... that would influence my decision greatly. I'd have to arbitrarily pick the 12 bore gun, especially if the game encountered has claws and teeth and fights back (or attacks first!).

I am curious though as to know whyt you haven't said anything about getting a 10 bore gun? Anyway, you do need to consider your loading components availability as well. You don't want to run out of wads or not be able to purchase them at all.

I'm sure it's been done before, but a poll would be nice to see what size gun is preferred. I wonder if there'd be any surprises in the results?

Good Luck on your quest and regards.

WV_Hillbilly